𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙋𝙊𝙑:
At this point, I had no idea how Avery and I were hanging out so often. It just kept happening.

We never made solid plans. One of us would text the other, and suddenly we were out, walking around London, eating, drinking, whatever.

Tonight was no different.

She had texted me earlier saying she was bored, so I told her to meet me in Soho. That's how we ended up in a tiny, dimly lit bar, squeezed into a booth with overpriced drinks in front of us.

Avery twirled the straw in her cocktail, smirking. "Are you gonna cry when I beat you at the next darts rematch?"

I scoffed. "You're still on about that?"

She shrugged. "Just saying, if we played again, I'd win."

I smirked. "You think you'd win. Big difference."

Avery leaned forward, challenging. "You scared?"

"Of you?" I let out a laugh. "Not a chance."

She narrowed her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she sipped her drink, watching me over the rim of her glass.

It wasn't weird.

Not really.

At least, that's what I kept telling myself.

After an hour of chatting, we left the bar and wandered through Soho, dodging groups of drunk people spilling onto the pavement.

Avery tugged on my sleeve. "I want food."

I laughed. "You always want food."

"And?" She raised a brow. "You judging me?"

"Never." I spoke

We found a kebab shop on the corner and went inside, the smell of grilled meat hitting us immediately. Avery ordered some halloumi wrap thing, while I got a chicken kebab.

We took our food outside, eating as we walked.

"This is so good," Avery mumbled around a bite.

I smirked. "Told you."

She pointed at me. "I hate how you're always right."

"Get used to it." I giggled

We turned onto another street, still eating and chatting, when I heard someone call my name.

"Oi, Chris!"

I looked up, immediately recognizing the voice.

Harry.

He was coming out of a pub, looking slightly tipsy but not completely gone.

"Oh, mad!" He grinned when he spotted Avery beside me. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Avery frowned slightly. "Uh... hi?"

Harry looked between us, then back at her. "Wait. We've met, right?"

Avery hesitated. "I don't think so."

I cleared my throat. "Avery, this is Harry. Harry, Avery."

Harry's face lit up in recognition. "Avery—ohhh. The long-lost childhood mate."

I sighed. "Yeah."

Harry smirked, eyes flicking to her. "Well, well. Chris has mentioned you."

Avery raised a brow. "Good things, I hope."

Harry grinned. "Only the best."

I clenched my jaw, watching the way Harry looked at her too interested, too amused.

He was flirting. He was definitely flirting. With my Avery.

Maybe not in an obvious way, but I could see it.

Avery didn't seem to notice, though. She was just being polite, smiling as she spoke to him.

Harry leaned against a lamppost, still grinning. "So, you just back in London, then?"

Avery nodded. "Yeah, moved here a while ago."

"Nice, nice." Harry nodded approvingly. "And how's it been? Settled in yet?"

Before Avery could respond, I cut in. "We were just heading off, actually."

Avery glanced at me, confused.

Harry raised an eyebrow but smirked like he knew exactly what I was doing.

"Ah, fair enough," he said, stepping back. "Well, don't be a stranger, Avery."

She gave him a small smile. "Nice meeting you."

Harry shot me a knowing look before walking off.

I exhaled, trying to ignore the irritation bubbling in my chest.

Avery nudged me. "You okay?"

I forced a nod. "Yeah. Just let's keep walking."

She gave me a weird look but didn't argue.

And as we walked, I tried to ignore the nagging feeling in my gut.

Because for the first time in weeks, I felt territorial.

Which was stupid.

Right?