you were halfway through applying mascara when you heard the knock at the door. renee had always been obnoxiously good at timing, always one step ahead and already knowing how youd feel before you did. you hadnt seen her in weeks but she had texted you first then asked if you were free tonight and suggested something that sounded suspiciously like a date

you said yes. why wouldnt you? you werent bitter at least not anymore

when you opened the door your breath caught. renee stood there, tall and radiant in a cream colored suit that looked both expensive and completely effortless. she also smelled like sandalwood and something warm and sweet

“wow” you said, unable to stop yourself from grinning “did you dress like that just to make me regret everything?”

she raised one perfectly sculpted brow “obviously” she said, slipping past you into your apartment like she still lived here “but dont worry im not here to break your heart again”

“im not afraid” you said, shutting the door “i already had mine broken the week by trader joes discontinuing the mango mochi”

renee laughed as she took a step closer “god i missed this. missed you.”

you were about to say something when the unmistakable sound of a cupboard slamming echoed from the kitchen and you froze

renee gave you a sideways look as her voice dropped slightly “someone else here?”

you sighed “yeah. uh emilys here”

“emily emily?” she said and you didnt need to see her face to know she was smirking “the one who tried to throw your phone off the balcony during an argument about groceries?”

“she has strong opinion” you muttered, stepping cautiously into the kitchen

sure enough emily was leaning against the counter with her arms crossed while holding a half empty glass of wine like it was a weapon. her dark eyeliner was smudged in that intentional way that made her look beautiful and vaguely dangerous

“you didnt tell me you had company” emily said with her voice pitched just high enough to be heard by renee in the hallway “or that it was her”

“i didnt realize i owed you an itinerary” you said, trying to keep your tone even “you said you were just dropping off my necklace”

“i was” she said sharply “until i saw her walk in like she owns the place. what is this a rerun? you guys playing at being toxic again?”

“i didnt know love was trademarked by you” renee said coolly, stepping into view. she was calm but you could hear the edge in her tone. it was the voice she used when she was bored and ready to fight for fun “hi emily. you look exactly the same. hows anger management?”

emily smiled without humor “still havent gone. hows your ego?”

renee grinned “flawless. thanks for asking.”

you sighed, grabbing your water bottle and taking a long sip “okay children. can we not do this tonight?”

“sure” emily said then turned to you with narrowed eyes “but dont pretend this isn’t weird. you used to cry over her in this kitchen”

“and now were going to dinner like functioning adults. shocking i know”

emily laughed, bitter and sharp, then set her glass down harder than necessary “whatever. just dont come crying go me when she ghosts you again”

“ghosting implies i wasnt entertaining” renee said and you swore you saw a flash of that old fire in her eyes “but if remember right i never had that problem”

“okay!” you said loudly, stepping between them like a referee “this has been cute. emily thanks for the necklace. ill call you later or something”

emily stared at you with her jaw clenched then she scoffed. she grabbed her keys off the counter and gave renee one last glare as she stormed out

the silence that followed was heavy and a little absurd. you let out a slow breath and turned to renee and mumbled “shes.. passionate”

renee gave you a look “you sure know how to pick them”

you snorted “youre literally here in a suit to go on a date with your ex girlfriend”

“right” she said, stepping closer “but its not that fake is it?”

you looked at her with your head slightly tilted “depends. how real do you want it to be?”