as you step out of the perfume store, the glass doors swoosh shut behind you and the scent of luxury clings to your clothes. billies walking just ahead of you, one hand in the pocket of those oversized jeans she refuses to give up, the other loosely gripping the boutique bag she insisted on paying for before you could even open your mouth
you shoot her a side glance “that was like.. a $400 bottle bill”
he shrugs, tilting her head toward you with that maddeningly casual grin “so?”
you squint “you bought me a fragrance collection”
she gives a low laugh, barely looking at you “i remember you used to say scents made you feel safe. that they helped when your anxiety got bad”
you pause mid step and your throat tightens but not in a sad way, just surprised. its been years and she still remembers that?
she stops too, turns, and her smile dims into something softer. less 'cool ex' and more 'girl who used to study your face when you were asleep'
“you think i forgot everything just because we broke up?”
you scoff, trying to play it off as you start walking again “i think youre trying to bribe your way back into my bed”
she doesnt deny it. instead she falls into step beside you, walking close enough that your hands almost brush “would it work?”
you laugh, breathier than you meant to “youre not even being subtle”
“im not trying to be”
you shoot her a look, lips twitching “what happened to just being friends?”
she raises an eyebrow “friends dont buy friends exclusive le labo blends and that weird indie brand you liked that smells like wet cement and sadness”
you snort “its industrial nostalgia actually”
“sure” she grins “whatever helps you sleep at night”
he tensions not thick but its there in the way your shoulders curve slightly toward each other or the way her eyes dip to your mouth when youre not looking. even in how she keeps buying things not to show off but because she still knows you
she nudges you with her elbow “come on. let me take you to dinner”
“billie-”
“just food. thats all” then she continues talking while grinning “unless you order oysters and start telling me about your dreams again”
you roll your eyes but youre smiling because its her and maybe she cant buy you back but damn if she doesnt know all the right ways to try