The day had finally arrived—the dinner Nate had suggested back when I confronted him about Sara. By the time evening rolled in, the weight of anticipation had settled into my chest, making it hard to breathe. I had spent the day oscillating between nervous energy and forced indifference, meticulously setting the table as if perfect placement of silverware could somehow steady the chaos inside me. The apartment was quiet, but the silence was deceptive, buzzing with all the unsaid things between Nate and me.
I kept glancing at the door, waiting for the inevitable. The pit in my stomach grew heavier with every second that passed. When the sound of keys jingling outside the door finally broke the quiet, I straightened, smoothing the fabric of my sweater as if that would somehow prepare me.
The door swung open, and the first thing I noticed wasn't Nate. It was her.
Sara walked in with an ease that made my stomach twist. She was effortlessly put together—silky brown hair cascading over her shoulders, her fitted blouse tucked neatly into high-waisted trousers that accentuated her figure in a way that was both elegant and casual. But it wasn't just her looks; it was the way she moved, like she belonged, like she had already been here a hundred times before.
I forced a polite smile, stepping forward as Nate introduced us. "Sara, this is Anh. Anh, this is Sara."
"It's so nice to finally meet you," she said warmly, her handshake firm but gentle. There was no hesitation in her voice, no awkwardness. Just confidence. "Nate talks about you all the time."
I smiled, but the words made my stomach clench. "You too."
They laughed about something as they took off their coats, the sound grating against my nerves. It wasn't forced—it was easy, natural. A kind of familiarity I wasn't sure I was supposed to notice. Nate's hand lingered on the small of her back as he guided her toward the dining table, and something inside me hardened.
The smell of food filled the air, but I had lost my appetite.
Just as I placed the last dish onto the table, Kieran walked out of his room, stretching lazily as he headed toward the kitchen. His presence shifted the air immediately, grounding me in a way I hadn't realized I needed. He was in sweatpants and a fitted shirt, his hair slightly tousled from whatever he had been doing in his room.
His gaze flickered to me first, reading me without words, before shifting to the new presence in the apartment.
"Didn't realize we had guests," Kieran said casually, grabbing a glass from the cupboard.
I glanced at him, forcing a lightness into my voice. "Why don't you join us? There's plenty of food."
Kieran paused, his fingers wrapping around the glass, his eyes lingering on mine before flicking toward Nate and Sara. A muscle in his jaw tightened, barely noticeable, before he nodded. "Alright," he said smoothly, setting his glass down before making his way over.
As I introduced him to Sara, her smile brightened, and she extended her hand. "Nice to meet you, Kieran."
Kieran shook her hand, his expression neutral but unreadable. "Likewise. Hope I'm not intruding."
"Of course not," Nate said quickly, though his voice had a slight edge. "The more, the merrier."
Kieran leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing as he observed the three of us at the table. After a pause, he spoke again, his tone deceptively casual. "So, Sara, how long have you and Nate been working together?"
Sara smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she glanced at Nate before answering. "Oh, not too long. Just a few months, but it feels like longer with all the time we spend at the office."
Kieran tilted his head, his brow furrowing slightly. "All the time at the office? Sounds like you two are pretty close."
Sara laughed lightly, her hand brushing Nate's arm. "Well, you know how it is. Nate's been so helpful. I'd be lost without him."
Kieran's eyes flicked to Nate, a pointed edge creeping into his voice despite the relaxed posture he maintained. "Helpful, huh? Must be nice having someone so... dedicated."
Nate shifted in his seat, his expression tightening slightly. "Kieran, it's just work. Nothing more."
Kieran raised an eyebrow, his lips curling slightly. "Of course. Just curious. You don't see many colleagues coming over for dinner these days. It's... refreshing."
"It's so I can meet her," I said, keeping my tone steady.
Kieran's smirk shifted slightly, his expression thoughtful as he glanced at me and then back at Nate. "Makes sense," he replied, his tone even, though there was a hint of curiosity lingering. "Always good to get to know the people your partner spends so much time with."
I shot him a sharp glare, my stomach twisting at the implication in his words. The way he said it—so casual, yet deliberate—sent a wave of frustration coursing through me. My grip tightened around my fork, a pulse of heat creeping up my neck. Was he just stirring the pot, or did he actually believe what he was implying? Either way, my heart pounded uncomfortably at how easily he picked at the insecurities I had been trying to bury all night.
Nate gave a small, tight smile, his shoulders stiffening. "Exactly. I thought it would help put things into perspective."
Sara chimed in, her voice light and cheerful. "It's nice to put a face to the name, honestly. Nate talks about you all the time, Anh."
Kieran's brow lifted slightly, a flicker of amusement crossing his features. "Does he now? Must be all good things, I assume."
I put a hand on his lap, a subtle signal for him to stop pressing. Kieran glanced down briefly at my hand before looking back up, his expression unreadable but quieter.
Nate cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "It's all good things, of course. Anh's amazing."
Sara smiled, her voice cheerful. "I can see that. You're lucky to have her, Nate."
Kieran leaned forward slightly, his tone playful but sharp enough to carry weight. "Lucky, huh? Seems like you two spend quite a bit of time together at work, though. Does that ever get... complicated?"
"Kieran," I said firmly, cutting through the tension. "That's not how we treat guests."
Kieran leaned back slightly, his lips pressing into a tight smile, though his eyes still held an edge. "Of course," he replied lightly. "Didn't mean to overstep. Just curious."
Nate exhaled sharply, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "It's fine. Kieran's just... direct," he said, his tone tight but attempting to sound amicable.
Sara gave a small laugh, waving a hand dismissively. "No harm done. It's nice to see someone so protective of you, Anh. It's sweet, really."
I ate my meal in silence, letting the comment linger uncomfortably as both Kieran and Nate exchanged glances. Kieran's lips twitched slightly, though his expression carried a subtle edge of triumph. Nate, on the other hand, looked visibly irritated but kept his focus on his plate, cutting his food with unnecessary precision as if channeling his frustration there.