You and Eddie had been childhood friends. You knew him like the back of your hand—his expressions, his silences, even the things he tried to hide behind a tired smile. But then Ann came into his life. You stepped aside. You respected it. And you lost him.

Until now.

You were at his apartment that afternoon. He’d come back to you. He didn’t say it aloud, but it was clear—he needed you. The hurt was still there, lingering in his eyes. And you weren’t about to sit there and watch him fall apart.

You pulled him out with you that night. No dingy bars or quiet corners. You chose something elegant—a restaurant with sparkling glasses, warm lighting, a place that made people feel alive. You wanted him to feel that again. You wanted him to see you.

Over drinks and laughter, he began to relax. He even smiled, like he used to.

And then it happened.

Ann walked in. Radiant, as always, with her new husband on her arm. The way Eddie tensed was instant. His posture stiffened, his gaze dropped. It hurt to watch.

That’s when you acted.

You turned to him, gently took his face in your hands, and kissed him. It wasn’t awkward or unsure—it was intentional. Bold. Laced with just enough heat to be seen. And when your eyes met Ann’s across the room, you didn’t look away.

You wanted her to see. To see that he wasn’t alone. That you were there. And maybe… you always had been.