Liam drummed his fingers against the table, eyeing Travis with suspicion.

"You seem... unusually quiet," he noted. "Are you plotting my downfall?"

Travis smirked, sipping his drink. "Nah. Just thinking."

Liam raised a brow. "Dangerous."

Travis leaned back. "I just hope Chase gets his shit together. He and Em were a thing for years. But, y'know... he fumbled."

Liam groaned. "We don't say his name anymore. Like Voldemort."

"Fair enough," Travis conceded. "But—on that note—I also hope this new guy she's seeing isn't a tool."

Liam nearly choked on his drink. "WHAT? New guy? Are you kidding me? Since when?"

Travis shrugged. "A little while. She didn't say much."

Liam clutched his chest. "And you just—what?—sat on this information? Like a hen on an egg?"

Travis grinned. "I wanted to see how long it'd take before you combusted."

Liam scowled. "Unbelievable. We're grilling her the second she walks in."

Before Travis could respond, the restaurant door opened, and Emilia and Roxanne strolled in, laughing about something. Liam and Travis immediately straightened, exchanging a look. Game on.

______________________________________

Earlier that evening, Emilia and Roxanne stepped out of the movie theater, the cool air a welcome contrast to the buttery warmth of the cinema. The city buzzed with life, neon signs flickering against the pavement.

"Alright," Roxanne declared, stretching. "Solid seven out of ten."

Emilia scoffed. "Seven? That was at least an eight."

"The main guy was hot," Roxanne admitted, "but the whole 'I've loved you in secret for ten years' thing? Overdone."

Emilia grinned. "Still better than the last movie we saw."

Roxanne gasped dramatically. "Don't you dare slander The Alien's Secret Bride in my presence."

"Oh my God, I'm still recovering from that fever dream. A romance between a human and an alien that only communicated through interpretive dance? Two hours of my life, gone."

Roxanne cackled. "You just don't appreciate art. Speaking of art—Jason Kingsley is coming to town soon."

Emilia stopped short. "The Jason Kingsley? As in, Hollywood's golden boy director?"

Roxanne nodded. "Youngest of the Kingsley dynasty. Made his debut fresh out of film school. And now he's scouting new talent."

Emilia grabbed her arm. "Rox, you have to go for it."

Roxanne hesitated. "I mean... I haven't acted in years."

"So? You were born for the spotlight."

Roxanne gave a small, unsure smile. "You really think so?"

Emilia squeezed her arm. "I know so."

Truth was, Roxanne had once been a child actor. She'd left the industry to focus on college, but deep down, she'd always missed it. And then there were the comments—the ones that told her she'd never make it in Hollywood because she didn't have the 'right' look. Which was ridiculous. Roxanne was breathtaking. She had striking, feline-like blue eyes framed by thick lashes, full lips with a natural pout, and a face that balanced ethereal elegance with girl-next-door charm. If anything, Hollywood had missed out on her.

But doubt was a hard thing to shake.

Emilia could see it flicker across her face. "Rox. You belong in front of a camera. If you don't go for this, I'm dragging you there myself."

Roxanne exhaled, then grinned. "Fine. But if this ends in disaster, I get to say, 'I told you so' for eternity."

"Deal. Now let's go eat our weight in pasta."

________________________________________________

At Milo's, Liam and Travis were waiting. As soon as the girls slid into the booth, Liam leaned forward, eyes locked onto Emilia like she was hiding classified information.

"So..." he started.

Emilia blinked. "Uh-oh."

Travis smirked. "We just want to say—"

Liam grinned. "—we're really happy for you."

Emilia froze. "...What?"

Travis took a sip of his drink, playing innocent. "Oh, don't be shy. Liam knows."

She turned to Liam, horrified. "Travis told you?"

Liam crossed his arms. "You bet he did. So spill. Who is he?"

Travis nodded. "Also, how tall is he? Because if I have to crane my neck to threaten him, that's extra effort."

Roxanne, delighting in the chaos, leaned in. "Oh, this is so good."

Liam drummed his fingers impatiently. "Name. Job. Criminal record. Dog person? Answer wisely."

Emilia sighed. "His name is Henry."

Liam frowned. "Henry?"

Travis tilted his head. "As in... who?"

Roxanne snickered. "Oh, this is so good."

Liam and Travis exchanged a glance, synchronized big-brother mode activating.

"How long has Henry been a thing?" Liam pressed.

Emilia cleared her throat. "Uh... a little while?"

Travis squinted. "A little while? Woman, do you hear yourself?"

Liam shook his head. "Unacceptable. We need details."

Travis counted on his fingers. "Job? Financial stability? Astrological sign? How does he feel about dogs?"

Liam nodded. "And can he change a tire? This is important."

Emilia groaned. "Oh my God, you two sound like my dad."

Liam smirked. "Good. We should sound like your dad."

Travis grinned. "We're your self-appointed older brothers. This is our business now."

Emilia sighed but smiled. "I get it. You guys care. And honestly? That means a lot. I'll set up a dinner so you can meet him."

Travis nodded. "Good. If he's sketchy, I'm putting his face on a dartboard."

Liam smirked. "Same."

_________________________________________

The night devolved into chaotic sibling energy, laughter, and merciless roasting. By the time the bill was settled—after a dramatic scuffle over who paid—the group stepped into the crisp night air.

Travis started ballroom dancing with Roxanne in the parking lot. "Life is a dance floor, and you, Rox, are my unwilling partner."

"We are in public!" she shrieked, laughing.

Meanwhile, Liam dramatically offered his arm to Emilia. "Shall we, madam?"

Emilia rolled her eyes but took it. "You're ridiculous."

As they drove home, Fall Out Boy's Sugar, We're Goin Down blasted through the speakers. Naturally, they screamed the lyrics like they were headlining a stadium tour.

Later, Emilia leaned against her window, phone in hand. She texted Henry:

Emilia: If the moon was a cookie, it'd definitely be missing a bite. Did you take it?

Seconds later, her phone buzzed.

Henry: I may or may not have taken a bite. Needed a snack. Sweet dreams, Em.

She smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. Yeah. Tonight was a good night.