𝐘/𝐍'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I sprawled out on my couch, still buzzing from my date with Madelyn a couple of nights ago. I was back in LA now and I kind of wished I was still in South Carolina.

My phone pinged beside me, pulling my attention from the random nature documentary I'd been half-watching.

Madz 🤤♡:
Finley says hi 🐬

Attached was a picture of her holding the dolphin, her grin wide and slightly teasing. She looked effortlessly gorgeous, her hair tousled in a way that made my stomach do flips.

Baby Evans 🤭♡:
Tell Finley I miss him

Madz 🤤♡:
Next time, I'm winning you one 😏

The thought of a "next time" made me smile like an idiot. Before I could overthink my response, another text popped up.

Madz 🤤♡:
What are you up to today?

I glanced around my living room. My plans included staying in sweatpants, probably ordering pizza, and maybe filming a TikTok if I felt productive. Not exactly glamorous.

Baby Evans 🤭♡:
Nothing exciting. What about you?

Madz 🤤♡:
Thinking about how to make you admit I'm better at skee-ball.

Baby Evans 🤭♡:
Keep dreaming

Before I could come up with a witty follow-up, my front door burst open, and Anna waltzed in like she owned the place. Sometimes I regret giving her and Dylan a key.

"What the hell?" I asked, sitting up as she plopped onto the couch beside me. Dylan trailed in after her, holding two large bags of takeout.

"We brought food," Anna announced, pulling out her phone and snapping a picture of me. "Smile for the group chat."

"You could knock, you know," I muttered, grabbing a container of fries.

"You love us. Besides, this is a perfect excuse to get all the details about your date," Anna said, wiggling her eyebrows. Dylan sat across from us, already tearing into his burger.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress the grin creeping onto my face. "It was good. Really good."

"Define good," Dylan said, raising an eyebrow.

"I like her," I admitted. "She's funny, down-to-earth, and not... complicated."

Anna and Dylan exchanged knowing looks. "Not complicated, huh?" Anna said. "Unlike someone we know."

I sighed, throwing a fry at her. "Don't start."

"Hey, no judgment," Dylan said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "We just want you to be happy, Y/n."

"I am," I said, surprising myself with how much I meant it. "I'm figuring it out."

Anna leaned her head on my shoulder, squeezing my arm. "Good. Because you deserve someone who's all in."

. . .

Anna's head was still on my shoulder, her curiosity practically vibrating off her as Dylan leaned forward with a mouthful of fries. "Okay," Anna said, nudging me. "Details. Now."

I smirked, pulling out my phone. "Fine, but only because I know you'll annoy me until I do."

Opening Madelyn's text thread, I pulled up the picture she'd sent—the one of her holding the dolphin with the caption, "Finley says hi 🐬." Madelyn's grin was radiant, her eyes shining with mischief.

Anna let out a squeal, snatching the phone from my hand. "She's so cute!" she said, showing Dylan. "And she named the dolphin?"

Dylan rolled his eyes but smiled. "Alright, I'll admit it. That's adorable."

"And look at her holding it like that," Anna added, zooming in on the picture. "She's totally into you."

I laughed, grabbing my phone back. "Okay, okay, calm down. It was just a really good date."

Dylan raised an eyebrow. "Good enough to warrant late-night texting?"

I shrugged, unable to hide my grin. "Maybe."

Anna nudged me again, her excitement infectious. "Y/n/n, this is so cute. I swear, if you mess this up—"

"Relax," I said, holding up a hand. "I'm not planning on it."

Dylan sat back, smirking. "I still think you're holding out on us. Did she kiss you? Was there hand-holding?"

"Both," I said, throwing a fry at him. "Happy now?"

Anna gasped dramatically. "You're living a rom-com, and I'm here for it. Next thing you know, you're going to be like Soph and I!" I rolled my eyes playfully.

I rolled my eyes, but their teasing felt lighter than it usually did. For the first time in a while, I felt like I wasn't overthinking everything. And as I glanced back at the picture of Madelyn, I couldn't help but think about our next date.

It kind of scared me, the fact that I really enjoyed my date with Madelyn as much as I did. I mean, the fact that it went past what it was originally supposed to be was probably the biggest indicator.

She's basically everything I want, everything just flowed seamlessly with her which only complicates things for me.

. . .

𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The afternoon sun streamed through the kitchen window as Rose perched on a stool, her pencil hovering over her math homework. Cosmo sat beside her, stacking blocks into precarious towers, his little tongue poking out in concentration.

"Mommy, what's seven times nine?" Rose asked, her brow furrowed.

I paused mid-chop, glancing over. "Sixty-three."

She scribbled the answer down, her face lighting up. "Thanks!"

"You're welcome, my little math whiz," I said, smiling as I turned back to the cutting board. Tonight's dinner was simple—pasta and salad, nothing fancy, but enough to keep us together at the table for a little while.

"Cosmo, no, don't eat that!" I said as I caught him trying to shove a block into his mouth. He giggled, dropping it back onto the pile.

Dinner was its usual chaotic symphony of giggles, sibling bickering, and exaggerated stories from Rose about her day. By the time we'd cleared the table and brushed teeth, I was exhausted, but there was nowhere else I'd rather be.

"Can we sleep in your bed tonight?" Rose asked as I was about to tuck her in.

I hesitated, glancing around for Cosmo, come to find out, he was already halfway under my comforter. "Alright, but no kicking," I said, feigning sternness.

Rose cheered as she ran into my bedroom, snuggling into the bed like a little burrito. As I slid under the covers, Rose leaned against me, her little hand resting on my arm.

"I love you, Mommy," she said sleepily.

"I love you too, stink," I whispered, kissing the top of her head. Cosmo let out a tiny snore, and I smiled, closing my eyes.

But as the house fell silent, my mind wandered to Y/n. To the way she'd looked at me that night on my couch, her laugh filling the space like music. I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away.

She's probably having the time of her life wherever she was, I told myself. And that's exactly what she should be doing.

The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast warm light over my room as I lay in bed, my kids sound asleep on either side of me.

Rose's tiny hand was curled around my arm, her soft breaths steady and calming. Cosmo had sprawled out like a starfish, his stuffed elephant wedged under his arm.

I should've been tired, ready to drift off with them, but my mind was restless. My phone buzzed softly on the nightstand, and I carefully reached for it, trying not to disturb the kids.

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Hey, you awake? 👀

I smiled at the text, my heart doing a little flip.

ScarJo ♡:
Barely. You?

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Can't sleep. Thinking about you.

I bit my lip, glancing at the kids to make sure they were still out. Typing quickly, I replied:

ScarJo ♡:
Oh yeah? What are you thinking about?

Her response came almost immediately.

Y/n/n Evans ♡:
Your terrible chopstick skills, mostly. It's keeping me up at night.

I stifled a laugh, careful not to wake Rose and Cosmo.

ScarJo ♡:
You're insufferable. Also, I'm a pro now, thank you very much. 🙄

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :

I hesitated for a moment, not because I didn't want to see her—I did. But the flutter of excitement in my chest made me feel unsteady, like I was getting in too deep. Still, I typed my reply:

ScarJo ♡:
What time are you thinking?

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Whatever works for you. I'm flexible.

The double meaning in her text wasn't lost on me, and my cheeks flushed. I decided to lean into it.

ScarJo ♡ :
Oh, I bet you are.

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
You know it.

We went back and forth, the conversation drifting into playful banter and thinly veiled flirtation. I found myself smiling so much my cheeks started to hurt. It felt easy with her, like all the complications could fade away for a little while.

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
What are you doing right now? And don't say anything about sushi rolls.

ScarJo ♡:
I wasn't going to say sushi rolls

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Sure you weren't. What's on your mind, then?

I hesitated for a moment before deciding to tease her.

ScarJo ♡:
Mostly thinking about how bad your aim is when you threw that napkin at me the other night.

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Bad aim? I could've hit you if I wanted to. I was being nice.

ScarJo ♡:
Oh, sure. 'Nice.' That's what we're calling it now?

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
I didn't want to break your delicate ego, Scar. You're welcome.

I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head as I replied.

ScarJo ♡ :
Delicate ego? That's rich coming from someone who gloated a whole night about winning one game of Mario Kart.

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
One game? Let's not downplay my victory. I demolished you. Admit it.

ScarJo ♡ :

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Exactly. A win is a win.

Her confidence was infuriatingly charming, and I found myself grinning like an idiot.

ScarJo ♡:
You're impossible.

Y/n/n Evans ♡:
And yet, here you are, still texting me. Interesting.

ScarJo ♡ :
Maybe I enjoy arguing with you.

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Or maybe you just enjoy me ;)

I paused, my cheeks heating up at her boldness.

ScarJo ♡:
You're awfully confident tonight.

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Is that a bad thing?

Her honesty caught me off guard, and I hesitated before typing back.

ScarJo ♡:
Not at all.

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Good. Because I'm still planning on seeing you tomorrow. What time should I show up with the sushi?

ScarJo ♡:
Are you assuming I want to see you again?

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
I don't assume. I know. So... what time?

I bit my lip, the grin refusing to leave my face.

ScarJo ♡:
Around seven. But if the sushi's bad, I'm locking you out.

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
You're funny. Do you have a preference, or should I surprise you?

ScarJo ♡:

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Oh, so now you're the one throwing things?

ScarJo ♡:
Consider it payback for all the trouble you caused the other night.

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Trouble? I think you secretly liked it.

ScarJo ♡:
Maybe...

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
I'll take that as a yes. Sweet dreams, Scar.

ScarJo ♡:
Goodnight, trouble.

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Oh we're doing alternative nicknames, let me rephrase

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Goodnight, MILF

ScarJo ♡:
Does that even count anymore? You've already fucked me

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Well, I don't want to stop so, I think it's still valid

My cheeks got warm as I quickly and nervously glanced at my sleeping kids as my smile widened. I should not be smiling at my phone like this.

ScarJo ♡:
Are you sure we're just eating sushi tomorrow at this point?

Y/n/n Evans ♡:
That can be the appetizer if you want, after that, I think we can both test out how flexible we are

ScarJo ♡:
Go to sleep lol

Y/n/n Evans ♡ :
Goodnighttttt

As the conversation ended, I placed my phone on the nightstand, staring at the ceiling with a mix of excitement and confusion. Y/n had a way of making me forget the boundaries I tried so hard to keep in place. Whatever this was, it felt good. It felt... easy.