AS THEY SETTLED INTO THE BOOTH, valerie glanced at the menu, but a familiar tension crept in. she scanned the options, trying to ignore the tight feeling in her chest. next to her, billie leaned in, her arm brushing against hers as she pointed to an appetizer.
"the fries here are good," billie suggested, catching valerie's eye with a warm smile.
valerie gave a quick nod, trying to keep her voice light. "yeah, sounds perfect."
across the table, olivia and sabrina chatted about gracie's upcoming show, but valerie could feel billie's gaze on her. as the conversation shifted, billie's fingers brushed against valerie's arm under the table, a gentle, grounding touch that made her feel seen without a word being spoken.
"hey, danah was asking about you," olivia teased, "she said she's a little obsessed. you've got fans everywhere, val."
valerie forced a laugh, but her focus drifted as the waiter arrived with a basket of fries and some starters. sabrina and olivia dove in, grabbing handfuls, and billie casually took a few herself. when she noticed valerie picking around, her expression softened.
"you good?" billie murmured, leaning in so only valerie could hear.
valerie nodded quickly, brushing it off. "yeah, just not super hungry." she knew billie wouldn't press her in front of everyone, but she caught the subtle look of understanding that flickered across billie's face.
"well, more for me," billie joked, taking a fry with exaggerated enthusiasm, clearly trying to lighten the mood.
valerie managed a small smile, grateful for the subtle way billie was watching out for her without drawing attention.
as they continued talking and laughing, olivia and sabrina exchanged a knowing look. every so often, they caught the way billie leaned a little closer to valerie, or how her hand would graze valerie's on the table.
when valerie laughed at something billie said, olivia grinned. "you guys are way too cute," she whispered, nudging sabrina.
"what?" valerie replied quickly, pretending not to have heard her.
"you heard her," sabrina teased, her eyes twinkling as she shared a smirk with olivia as they noticed a blush creeping up on valerie's face.
the night went on, filled with laughter and more teasing. every now and then, billie would gently nudge valerie, a silent reassurance, checking in without a word. when dessert came and valerie hesitated, billie quietly split her portion onto her own plate without a fuss, the gesture so seamless that even sabrina and olivia didn't seem to notice.
as they left the restaurant, billie fell into step beside valerie. in the cool night air, her hand brushed valerie's arm, lingering there just a moment longer.
"hey, you did great tonight, vei," she said softly, using the nickname she'd made special just for valerie.
valerie's cheeks warmed, her eyes flicking up to meet billie's. "thanks," she whispered, feeling a rare mix of comfort and warmth in the way billie was looking at her.
"so, what's next?" valerie asked, hoping the night wouldn't end just yet.
billie smirked, nudging her gently. "how about we get out of here and find somewhere quieter? maybe somewhere with fewer people to catch us being... 'cute.'"
they both laughed, the warmth between them growing as they walked together, leaving the restaurant behind with olivia and sabrina giggling knowingly just a few steps ahead.