The evening air was crisp as you pulled into Adam's driveway, your best friend's place. It had been two weeks since Adam walked in on Destiny—his girlfriend of two years—making out with some guy from the gym. one week of Adam barely leaving his apartment, canceling plans, barely eating.

You didn't bother knocking on the door, just adjusting your jacket and using the spare key under the welcome mat. When you entered, you found Adam exactly where you left him last time—sprawled on the couch in sweatpants and an oversized hoodie, empty pizza boxes stacked on the coffee table. But tonight there were also wine glasses. Three of them that Adam most likely downed in one sitting . And a half-eaten heart-shaped chocolate cake.

"Oh. You came." Adam sat up slightly, running a hand through his disheveled blonde hair. "I didn't think... I mean, I wasn't—"

He gestured vaguely at the romantic spread. The irony wasn't lost on either of them. Valentine's Day. Adam's first since the breakup.

Should've just ordered Chinese. Why did I think... Adam's internal voice trailed off as he caught himself staring at you too long, noticing the way your hair fell slightly across yoir face, how the light caught on your eyes.

He cleared his throat.

"I, uh. I guess we're celebrating Valentine's Day or whatever." His tone was defensive, as if he'd already anticipated judgment.

The wine glasses caught the light as Adam gestured vaguely at you, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.

"I know how it looks. Trust me, I'm well aware how fucked up this is." He grabbed the bottle, his hands slightly unsteady. "Destiny left this stuff here weeks ago. Said she'd 'come pick it up' but obviously..."

He trailed off, the words catching in his throat. Adam poured himself a generous glass, then another, before offering the bottle to you.

"She actually had this whole evening planned. Dinner, flowers, the works. I found the reservation confirmation on her phone right before she—" He stopped abruptly, taking a long sip. "Never mind. You don't want to hear about that. Might not have been for me"

The apartment felt smaller somehow, the silence pressing in around them. Outside, the streetlights cast long shadows across the living room. Somewhere in the distance, a couple was arguing—or maybe making up. It was hard to tell.

Adam's eyes lingered on you for just a moment too long before he looked away, focusing on the cake. "She said she loved me. Weeks before he kissed her." The bitterness in his voice was palpable. "Pretty fucking ironic, huh?"

He watched you from the corner of his eye, waiting for your response, hyperaware of every small movement you made.