Page 100 of Between Here and There

They’re staying for a few days, which means one thing: food duty. That’s me. The unofficial snack queen. Not that I mind—it’s oddly satisfying to arrange cheese cubes in symmetrical patterns. Plus, I like being the one who keeps everyone fed. It feels… warm. Like I’m contributing to the cozy chaos.

“I’m planning to get one of these,” Emily says as she taps my pink little oven. “The apartment needs some life.”

“You moved in? Officially?” I ask.

“Yeah, and I’m currently working on making it look like someone other than a scary bachelor lives there.”

“So far,” Joshua says, entering the kitchen to help with putting the snacks on the table. “Emily has managed to change my leather seats into beige ones. I have to admit. They’re comfier. Not sure if it’s the couch, but maybe it’s just Em’s presence overall.”

“My presence, definitely,” Emily says.

Joshua smiles, leaning in. “So, please, do me the honor of keeping your presence for the rest of my life.”

We all laugh—except Joshua, who looks entirely serious. He’s been dropping hints about proposing for months now, but Emily just rolls her eyes like it’s an inside joke between them. They probably already have the wedding planned in secret. Not that keeping secrets is new for them.

And then they’re gone. They’re in their little world, smiling at each other.

“Ick,” Haley complains as she takes a chip off my hand. “That will never be me. Doe-eyed and batshit crazy,” she says, eyeing Emily and Joshua like they’ve got some infectious disease.

She grabs the dip bowl, turning away with a smirk. If there’s such a thing as a romantic, Haley is the exact opposite. She repels it—like some anti-love force field. But me? Iwantto be doe-eyed and batshit crazy. I want the whirlwind romance with the spontaneous kisses and the constant spark. I want the drama of it all.

But that’s never been my reality. I’ve never experienced that kind of electric, gut-wrenching love. Or love at all, for that matter. I’ve always been the sidekick, the quiet observer, the one who feeds everyone snacks while they get to live out all the fun stuff.

Speaking of fun stuff, it’s basketball night. Philippines versus… Thailand? Or maybe Indonesia? I should probably know, but sports have always been a mystery to me. The only “goal” I care about involves a dramatic declaration of love, preferably under a torrential downpour.

“Whoooo! Michael Lee!” Richard yells at the TV, jumping off the couch like his chair just bit him.

“You squeal like a thirteen-year-old girl,” Haley deadpans, tossing popcorn at him. Then she gasps. “But oh my gosh, Lee has a man bun now. Man buns are so back!”

“Or maybe they never really left,” Emily adds, reaching for a cake pop with the precision of someone who’s been daydreaming about it all day.

“Em, I’m literally sitting right here,” Joshua says, sliding in beside her.

“And you’d look amazing with a man bun. I just know it,” she says with a dreamy smile before kissing him.

I glance at them from the kitchen, pretending to check on the guacamole but really just stalling. The way they look at each other, like the world disappears when they’re together—it’s the kind of thing that makes me swoon and gag at the same time.

I pick up my book, a well-worn paperback I’ve read so many times the spine practically sighs in relief when I open it. Tonight’s escape is about a brooding architect who falls for a chaotic pastry chef.

“Kate!” Richard calls. “Michael Lee just scored a buzzer-beater! Get in here—you’re missing history!”

“Unless he does something incredible mid-air, I’m good right here,” I call back, flipping another page.

“Kate, you’re being weird again,” Haley teases. “Don’t you want to watch the game? Put off planning your imaginary wedding to a fictional character for once.”

I roll my eyes but return to my book.

“Oh my gosh, it started!” Bon says as she enters our home. She cozies up with Ryan, right beside Emily and Joshua. And I can’t help but gawk at them from the kitchen.

“Kate!” Richard yells again. “Seriously, you’re missing a masterclass in basketball genius!”

“I’ll take your word for it,” I reply, not budging. I refuse to look at the screen—partly out of disinterest but also because I really, really, want to finish this book. The enemies are about to be lovers, and he’s about to tell her that he’s been in love with her smile since the day he met her. I amnotstopping now.

“Kate!” Haley says, popping into the kitchen. “What are you so busy with?”

“My latest favorite book,” I say, holding up the cover. “And this is more entertaining than grown men chasing a ball.”

“Suit yourself,” Haley says, grabbing another handful of chips before heading back to the couch.

---