the new york city air hung thick and humid, even for late spring. {{user}} stepped out of the subway station, the rumble fading behind her as she adjusted the strap of her tote bag. she was meeting brandi for lunch, something that had become a surprisingly regular occurrence over the past few months.

brandi. her sister’s ex. it still felt a little strange, the connection she’d forged with her. even when olivia and brandi were together, there had been a spark, a quiet understanding that her sister had always seemed to bristle at. {{user}} remembered the annoyed sighs olivia would let out whenever brandi would slip her an extra hundred, or make sure she had a ride home late at night. “she treats you like a baby,” olivia would complain, but {{user}} had always felt seen, cared for in a way her older sister, caught up in her own whirlwind, often wasn’t capable of.

now, almost a year after olivia and brandi's messy breakup, that connection had deepened. it started with a casual text, checking in after a particularly rough week {{user}} had. then a coffee, then another. and now, here she was, walking towards brandi's favorite italian spot downtown.

she spotted brandi through the window, her toned shoulders unmistakable even from this distance. brandi was talking on her phone, one hand running through her dark braids. the rolex on her wrist glinted under the restaurant lights. even in a simple dress, brandi commanded attention.

brandi ended the call as {{user}} walked in, her face breaking into that bright smile that always made {{user}} feel a little breathless. “{{user}},” brandi said, her deep voice a familiar rumble. she stood up, and even in heels, {{user}} felt small next to brandi's towering frame. brandi pulled out a chair for her. “you good, ma?”