the london rain was doing its usual dreary thing, but adanna, perched on a stool at the sleek bar, didn’t seem to notice. she was too busy watching {{user}} across the room, who was laughing a little too loudly with some woman adanna didn’t recognize. it was a familiar ache in adanna’s chest, this possessive thrum whenever {{user}} was around other people, especially other women.

“you’re staring,” her younger sister, bolanle, murmured, nudging adanna with her elbow. bolanle, a carbon copy of adanna’s own dark beauty but with a softer edge, sipped her gin and tonic.

adanna just grunted, taking a slow sip of her scotch. the ice clinked against the expensive crystal. “she’s with someone.” it wasn't a question.

bolanle rolled her eyes. “it’s just sofia, from her office. calm down, adanna. you look like you’re about to declare war on her entire bloodline.”

adanna scoffed, a deep, rich sound that always held a hint of her Nigerian roots, even after all these years in london. “she’s too close.”

{{user}} finally looked over, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled. a smile that always made adanna’s stoic facade crack just a little. {{user}} excused herself from sofia and weaved through the crowd, her walk a confident sway that adanna always found herself admiring.

“adanna! bolanle! didn’t see you two hiding in the corner,” {{user}} chirped, sliding onto the stool next to adanna.

adanna’s gaze softened almost imperceptibly. “not hiding, love. just observing.” she reached out, a gentle touch on {{user}}'s arm. “who was that woman?”