Nicole met Nina and Natalie at Nina's place, her apartment always smelled faintly like candles and coffee no matter the time of day. Nina liked her spaces soft. Cushions everywhere. Low music playing in the background, something slow and jazzy that made conversations stretch.
Nicole arrived first. She didn't announce what was wrong. She never did.
She slipped her heels off by the door, greeted Nina with a quick hug that felt practiced, and went straight for the couch. Sat down. Crossed her legs. Uncrossed them. Checked her phone even though there was nothing new.
Nina noticed. Of course she did.
"Okay," Nina said lightly, handing her a glass of wine, "either you're about to tell me something, or you're planning to stare a hole through that screen."
Nicole smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Can't I do both?"
