Chapter 46

Back at the apartment, the energy was buzzing with excitement. Ivy immediately flopped onto the couch, kicking off her shoes with a dramatic sigh. "Okay, we have like-what? An hour to get ready? We need a plan."

Aidan, already scrolling through his phone, snorted. "A plan? It's dinner, not the Met Gala."

I shook my head, laughing as I set my bag down. "Yeah, but it's a celebration. I at least wanna look decent."

Ivy grinned. "Exactly! Aidan, you can wear your usual 'effortlessly cool' outfit, but Ember and I? We're putting in some effort."

Billie had already headed back to hers to get ready, promising to meet us at the restaurant. I kind of wished she had stayed-getting ready together sounded nice-but I knew we'd have plenty of time for that another day.

I disappeared into my room, sifting through my closet for something that felt right. Casual but elevated. After a few minutes, I landed on a sleek but comfortable outfit-a fitted black top, low waisted jeans, and my favourite boots. Simple, but put together.

Ivy, on the other hand, had decided to go full glam, already halfway through doing her makeup in the mirror when I stepped back into the living room. "Should I go with the red lip or the nude?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Red," Aidan and I said at the same time.

Ivy grinned. "Good choice."

Aidan, dressed in his usual relaxed-but-stylish combo of a button-up and dark jeans, stood up and stretched. "I'm ready. Y'all are the slow ones."

I rolled my eyes, but before I could say anything, my phone buzzed.

Bills <3: Almost ready, you on your way soon?

I smiled, quickly typing back.

em bby: Almost! Leaving in 10.

Ivy looked over my shoulder and smirked. "Tell Billie she better look hot tonight."

I shoved her playfully. "She always does."

Aidan made a gagging noise. "Alright, that's my cue to go wait outside before this gets worse."

I grabbed my jacket, giving myself one last glance in the mirror before heading toward the door with Ivy and Aidan. The excitement from earlier hadn't faded-in fact, it had only grown.

Tonight felt like more than just dinner. It felt like a moment to breathe, to take it all in, before the listening party tomorrow. And surrounded by my best friends, I couldn't have been more ready.

--

The restaurant was warm and buzzing with a soft chatter, The kind of place that both felt upscale and comfortable. and most importantly no paparazzi, We could actually enjoy our night.

A long wooden table had already been set for us near the back, Tucked away from the busiest part of the resturant. Billie was already there when we arrived, standing near the table scrolling on her phone.

She looked up as soon as we walked in hers eyes immediatly finding mine. A slow smile spread across her face, and i felt that familar flip in my stomach. She had changed into black baggy dress pants and a dark green loose short sleeve button up that made her eyes stand even more.

"You clean up nice" She said, giving me once over as I reached her

"you too" I murmered, nudging her gently as the others filled in around us. Danny arrived soon after, looking as causal as ever in a hoodie and jeans, followed by my mom, Who immediatarly pulled me into a hug

"im so proud of you" She whispered before pulling back, smiling warmly

As we all settled in, the energy at the table was light and easy. The conversation bounced between teasing and excitment for tomorrow, Ivy and Aidan going back and forth over their predicitions for which song would be everyones favourite.

Danny leaned back in his chair, stretching"im just glad the album's done. You were driving me insane with those last minute tweaks"

I shot him a look "you love it"

he smirked"yeah yeah, it's a damn good album"

Billie reached under the table and gave my hand a squeeze, a small, proud smile playing at her lips. I didn't have to look at her to feel the quiet support in the gesture.As the night went on, plates of food arrived, drinks were passed around, and the conversations never had a dull moment. My mom was chatting with Ivy about some art exhibit she wanted to go to, Aidan was dramatically retelling some ridiculous story from his job, and Billie was watching me like she was memorising the moment.

When dessert came, my mom raised her glass"To Ember" she said, her voice full of warmth

"To all the hard work, the late nights, the music that came from it... and to tomorrow, where we finally get to heart it in all its glory"

Everyone lifted their glasses, and I felt my chest tighten - not in a bad way, but in that overwhelming, emotional kind of way.I glanced around at the people sitting with me, my closet friends, my family. Billie's eyes met mine again over the rim of her glass, something quiet and uncertain in them.

"Thank you"I said, my voice a little softer than I meant for it to be. "For everything"

Billie's thumb brushed over my knuckles beneath the table, and I exhaled, soaking in the moment.

-

The night carried on, laughter and conversation in between bites of food and sips of wine. The energy at the table was warm, buzzing with anticipation for tomorrow, but for now, it was just about enjoying the moment.

Billie had somehow ended up in deep conversation with my mom, which -admittedly- was both mildly terrifying and fascinating to witness.

I leaned slightly toward Ivy and Aidan, keeping my voice low.

"Should I be worried"

Aidan smirked. "Depends. What do you think they're talking about"

I glanced over at Billie, who was nodding intently as my mom spoke, her expression one of genuine curiosity

Ivy snorted"She's either getting grilled about her intentions with you, or, my personal bet, your moms telling her embarrassing childhood stories"

As if on cute, I heart my mom laugh, her voice cutting through the noise of the restaurant "Oh, ember used to make up songs about everything when she was little. Getting dressed, brushing her teeth, feeding the dog - didn't matter. She had a soundtrack to her day"

I groaned dropping my head into my hands"Oh my god."

Danny, ever the instigator leaned in"So, embers always been dramatic? Noted."

Billie turned to me with an amused smile "You wrote songs shout brushing your teeth?"

I buried my face in my hands further "I was five, leave me alone"

My mom wasn't done"And she'd perform them like it was a full production. Hairbrush microphone, dramatic spins, the whole thing"

Billie grinned"That actually explains so much"

I shot her a glare, but she only squeezed my thigh beneath the table, amusement flickering in her eyes.

Danny chuckled, shaking his head"You really haven't changed much"

I couldn't help laughing along with everyone else.

After awhile, the conversations split off again. My mom and Billie continued talking. And i couldn't help but listen in.

"So what's next for you?" My mom asked, taking a sip of her wine."You've been on your tour, and now embers album is about to drop - what's the plan?"

Billie shrugged "Honestly? I don't yet. I've been writing a bit, but I kind of like the idea of just.... Slowing down for a minute"

My mom nodded "That's smart. Sometimes you need to take a breath before jumping into the next thing"

Billie smiled "Yeah. I think being around Emmy while she worked on this album reminded me how much I love making music when it's not rushed. Just creating for the sake of it, y'know?"

I felt something warm settle in my chest at that.

My mom tilted her head, studying Billie for a moment "I like you" she finally said, matter of fact.

Billie blinked surprised "oh -- uh thank you?"

"I can tell you really care about Ember"

Billie nodded, something soft in her expression "I do"

I quickly looked down at my drink, heart pounding at how certain she sounded.

Aidan, clearly eavesdropping, leaned over"Wow, Billie got the official mom stamp of approval, that's big for Lacy"

Ivy smirked "Huge, actually"

Billie laughed, shaking her head"You guys are ridiculous"

The conversation drifted again, easy and natural, and by the time the plates were cleared, I felt lighter than I had in weeks.

Tomorrow was still lingering in the horizon, but tonight was exactly what I needed.