The stadium was still alive with cheers, lights flashing across the stands as fans celebrated another Real Madrid win. Aurora adjusted her jacket and smiled when she spotted Jude walking off the pitch.

Ashlyn was already waving like crazy. “He saw us!” she said, laughing as Jude grinned in their direction. Aurora nudged her. “Hard not to with you screaming his name.” “Supportive girlfriend energy,” Ashlyn replied proudly.

As the players started to head toward the tunnel, Kylian slowed beside Jude, running a towel over his face. “Who’s that?” he asked, nodding toward the stands. Jude followed his gaze. “Ashlyn — my girlfriend — and that’s Aurora.” Kylian raised a brow. “Aurora?” “Yeah,” Jude said, a faint smile forming. “She’s one of my close friends. Ashlyn introduced us a while back. She’s here visiting.” Kylian’s eyes lingered on her for a moment longer — the way she laughed at something Ashlyn said, the calm confidence in how she carried herself even surrounded by chaos. “She’s gorgeous,” he said simply, not in a teasing tone — just honest. Jude chuckled. “You’re not the first to say that.” Kylian glanced at him with a smirk. “Think you can introduce me?” Jude shrugged casually. “Come on then. Try not to scare her off.”

They walked over to where the girls were standing near the barrier. Ashlyn immediately lit up when she saw Jude. “There he is,” she said, pulling him into a quick hug. Aurora smiled. “Good game,” she said to Jude. “Thanks,” he replied. “Aurora, you remember me mentioning Kylian?” Aurora looked up, meeting Kylian’s eyes for the first time. He had that quiet confidence — not the kind that demanded attention, but the kind that already had it. “Yeah,” she said softly, offering her hand. “Nice to meet you.” “Nice to meet you too,” Kylian replied, shaking her hand. His touch was brief but warm, his gaze steady for just a moment longer than necessary.

Ashlyn and Jude fell easily into conversation beside them, but Kylian and Aurora didn’t say much — just exchanged a few polite smiles. Still, there was something in the air — an unspoken curiosity, a flicker of interest neither of them could quite ignore. When the group started to head out, Kylian turned slightly toward Jude, voice low but teasing. “You didn’t say your friend was this interesting.” Jude laughed. “You didn’t ask.”