The lodge hosted a weekly gathering for hikers—bonfire, music, local wine. Lívia moved through the crowd with natural ease, laughing with other travelers her age. Camila watched from a distance, feeling older than she had in years.
A woman about Lívia's age—blonde, confident, clearly interested—touched Lívia's arm as they talked, leaning in too close. Lívia responded with her usual warmth, though Camila couldn't tell if she was encouraging the attention or just being polite.
The woman laughed at something Lívia said, her hand lingering on Lívia's forearm. A knot formed in Camila's stomach, hot and unfamiliar. She wasn't angry, just... displaced. An observer on the outside of a world where Lívia fit so effortlessly.
Lívia excused herself from the group and made her way back to Camila, carrying two cups of wine. "Lost you to the shadows," she teased, handing one over.
"Just enjoying the view," Camila said, her voice carefully neutral.
Lívia's eyes narrowed slightly. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"Not at all." But her gaze flickered back to the blonde woman, who was now watching them with open curiosity.
Lívia followed her line of sight. "Her name's Sofia. She's a photographer from Buenos Aires."
"Seems nice," Camila replied, taking a sip of wine that tasted like acid.
Lívia stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Why are you saying it like that?"
"Like what?"
Lívia's jaw tightened. "Like you've already decided something about her. About me."
The real fear surfaced, unbidden. "One day you're going to want someone who matches you better," Camila heard herself say, the words tasting like betrayal even as she spoke them.
Lívia flinched as if struck. "I already chose someone."
"But do you ever wonder?" The question hung between them, sharp and ugly. "If you're missing out on... ease?"
"Ease?" Lívia's voice dropped dangerously low. "Is that what you think this is? Complicated?"
"No, I—" Camila stopped, hating herself. "I'm sorry. That wasn't fair."
Lívia nodded, but the warmth had vanished from her eyes. "No, it wasn't." She walked away, leaving Camila alone with the fire and her own poisonous thoughts.