The moment Brie's smile dropped, Jeff noticed and reached for her hand with his free hand while his other hand was on the steering wheel.
"You're okay, babe," He glanced at her, and she shook her head slightly, then looked up to offer him a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Her heart was heavy again, coupled with the gnawing feeling from the anonymous text she had just received.
"It's nothing, baby." She murmured. "Just school stuff," She added.
"Hey, you've been working so hard, just a little more push and you're at the finish line." He flashed a reassuring smile.
Her smile brightened a bit at his encouraging words, and the heavy sensation in her heart stilled.
"Tell you what, when everything school-related is over, your project—everything," His graze brushed over hers again, and he brought her hands to his lips, "we'd go on a trip, just the two of us. How does that sound?" He smiled again, and Brie's breath caught.
She stared at him with glossy eyes and nodded. "I'd love that, Jeff,"
The night had gone better than she expected.
Jeff had been sweet and caring. He had also been super attentive to her needs and had apologized again over dinner, held her hand like he used to, and even whispered against her lips, "I love you." It felt like the old Jeff — the one who made her feel like the only girl in the world—like she mattered.
By the time he drove to the front of her apartment, he caught her wrist gently as she turned to leave.
"I'll wait," he said, eyes searching hers. "Till you're ready."
Brie nodded, heart fluttering. "Thank you."
He tilted his head closer and kissed her on the lips. Brie's heart hitched, and she opened up to him, kissing him back. The kiss was light and soft. Then they both smiled, and she stepped out of the vehicle.
Brie's smile still lingered on her face as she watched Jeff's car drive out of her neighborhood. The anonymous message was completely forgotten in the corner.
As soon as Jeff's vehicle was out of sight, she turned and faced her apartment building, her steps light as she passed by the doorman. She flashed him a smile and walked to the elevator and punched in her floor.
As soon as she walked into the apartment, she kicked off her heels, then froze.
Designer bags were everywhere, Amber was mid-change, one leg in a pair of high-waisted jeans, the other tangled in a silk blouse. The living room looked like it had been hit by a fashion tornado.
Amber grinned. "You're back! How was dinner?" She was finally able to get the high-waisted jeans firmly secured on her slender figure.
Brie collapsed onto the couch and flashed her a dreamy smile. "It was… good. He apologized, said all the right things—I think we're very much okay now. Jeff hasn't changed; he's just been too busy and still carefree. The problem isn't him but Libby, who has refused to act right, but hey…I'm so glad my man is back."
Amber tossed a pair of heels onto a chair and giggled. "You probably shouldn't have gone nuclear, but hey — we got a new wardrobe out of it."
Brie laughed. "You're so unserious."
Amber winked. "I'm serious about fashion."
Brie pulled out her phone and opened Instagram, scrolling through stories and posts. Her thumb paused when she saw a new message request.
Ashley_
She frowned but tapped it nonetheless. As soon as she accepted the friend request, a message instantly dropped from Ashley.
Hi Brie. I know you're Jeff's girlfriend. I'm sorry to tell you this, but he's not who you think he is. He's cheating on you.
Brie's brows furrowed. "Amber…"
Amber looked up from a pile of jackets. "What?"
Brie handed her the phone. "Someone messaged me after dinner about Jeff, said something about him not being who I think he is, and look, some Ashley girl just messaged me on Instagram. She says Jeff's cheating."
Amber's eyes narrowed. "Ashley?"
Brie shrugged. "I don't know any Ashleys. She says she knows him and that he's not who I think. Do you think she could be the person who messaged me earlier?"
Amber sat beside her, then took the phone from Brie, and they both moved closer to each other, staring at the screen as Amber scrolled through Ashley's profile.
It was public. There were pictures of her in gym gear, selfies in front of Jeff's gym logo, even a few shots with Jeff himself — smiling, with his arms around her.
Brie's heart thudded.
Amber zoomed in. "That's definitely his gym, and that's him."
Brie stared at the screen. "Maybe she's just another admirer. You know how people get when someone's in the spotlight."
Amber nodded slowly. "True. Jeff's kind of a celebrity, and people love drama."
Brie locked her phone. "Exactly. Libby's playfulness around Jeff probably gave her fuel. If she can see it, then we weren't wrong after all. Libby does have feelings for Jeff. I just don't get how he doesn't see it."
"So, what now?" Amber asked, still going through the girl's profile.
Brie shrugged and stood up. "I'm not going to let some random girl mess with my head. I need to change."
Amber leaned back. "Good. You're finally thinking straight."
Brie smiled and walked toward her bedroom to change, leaving Amber on the couch, scrolling through Ashley's page again.
Then another message dropped.
"You probably won't believe me, but Jeff and I were a thing until six months ago."
Amber's breath caught.
Six months ago?
Jeff and Brie have been more than friends for two years until they decided to give their relationship a name ten months ago.
She typed quickly: "If you're serious, show me proof."
Ashley replied instantly with evidence.
Photos flooded in.
There were pictures of Jeff and Ashley at a restaurant, Ashley in his shirt, curled up on a couch, Jeff topless, lying beside her in bed. Her head on his chest. His arm around her.
Amber's heart thudded hard.
She looked up at the sound of Brie's voice.
Brie was walking back into the room, her dinner dress replaced by a bunny shirt that barely grazed her thighs. She twisted her hair into a bun, humming softly.
Amber stared at her, phone still glowing in her hand as she watched Brie smile.
Unaware.