𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 6

Chapter 6:

The Turning Point

Jordan: You coming out tonight?

Renee glanced at the message, then at the clock. It was just past 9 p.m.

She hesitated.

They hadn't made plans tonight. Lately, they'd been spending more time together, but it was still this unspoken thing—casual, easy, nothing too serious. They went on dates, but never called them dates. They spent the night at each other's places, but never talked about what it meant.

She should say no. She had an work in the morning.

Instead, she typed back.

Renee: Where you at?

Jordan's response was instant.

Jordan: River & Oak. Bring that cute ass over here.

Renee rolled her eyes but smirked as she pulled on her jacket.

River & Oak was packed, the usual crowd of twenty-somethings filling the bar with loud conversation and laughter. The place smelled like beer and whiskey, and the music was just a little too loud.

Renee spotted Jordan near the bar, surrounded by people. She was leaning against the counter, drink in hand, laughing at something a girl beside her had said.

Renee's stomach twisted.

The girl was pretty—tall, dark curls, bright smile. She was leaning close, her hand brushing Jordan's arm.

And Jordan?

She wasn't pulling away.

Renee took a slow breath, forcing herself to stay cool. This was fine. They weren't together. Jordan could flirt with whoever she wanted.

Even if it made Renee's chest feel tight.

She stepped forward, sliding up beside Jordan. "Hey."

Jordan turned, her face lighting up. "You made it."

The girl beside her glanced at Renee, then back at Jordan. "Friend of yours?"

Jordan hesitated for half a second before smirking. "Something like that."

Something like that.

Renee clenched her jaw.

The girl gave her a once-over, then shrugged. "Well, I'm grabbing another drink. You want one?"

Jordan shook her head. "I'm good."

The girl nodded and walked off, disappearing into the crowd.

Renee turned to Jordan. "She was cute."

Jordan raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

Renee shrugged, pretending she didn't care. "Yeah. Seemed into you."

Jordan took a sip of her drink, watching her. "You jealous?"

Renee scoffed. "Why would I be jealous?"

Jordan smirked. "Right."

Renee grabbed the whiskey glass from Jordan's hand and took a sip. "I just think it's funny."

Jordan tilted her head. "What's funny?"

Renee set the glass down. "That you're out here flirting with random girls when you know damn well who you're gonna end up going home with."

Jordan's smirk faltered just slightly.

Then she grinned. "Cocky tonight, huh?"

Renee leaned in, lowering her voice. "Just honest."

Jordan studied her for a second. Then, instead of teasing, she just said, "Come outside with me."

The air was crisp, the street quieter than the bar.

They stood near the entrance, the neon glow of the sign casting soft light over Jordan's face.

Renee crossed her arms. "So?"

Jordan exhaled. "You're pissed."

"I'm not."

Jordan gave her a look.

Renee sighed, looking away. "It's just—" She stopped herself. Shook her head. "Never mind."

Jordan took a step closer. "No, say it."

Renee hesitated.

Then, before she could stop herself, she said, "I didn't like seeing you with her."

Jordan blinked.

For once, she didn't have a snarky reply.

Renee swallowed. "I know we said this was casual. But... I don't know if I want it to be."

Jordan's expression shifted.

She looked... caught. Like she hadn't expected this.

Like she didn't know how to handle it.

She opened her mouth, then closed it. Ran a hand through her hair. "Renee—"

Renee shook her head quickly. "Forget it. I shouldn't have said anything."

Jordan sighed. "No, it's just—" She hesitated. "I don't know how to do this."

Renee frowned. "Do what?"

"This." Jordan gestured between them. "I don't know how to be with someone like that. I wasn't planning on—fuck, I wasn't supposed to feel like this."

Renee's heart pounded. "Like what?"

Jordan met her eyes. "Like I don't want to fuck this up."

Renee stared at her, caught off guard.

Jordan cared.

She wasn't just playing it cool. She wasn't brushing it off.

She was scared.

And Renee... understood that.

"I don't wanna fuck this up either," Renee admitted.

Jordan exhaled. "So what now?"

Renee hesitated, then, slowly, she reached for Jordan's hand.

Jordan didn't pull away.

She just squeezed back.