11

The house felt like it usually did in the evenings—quiet, with just Stella and her mom. It wasn't strange or uncomfortable anymore—just routine. The soft clink of silverware and the noise of the maid rushing around the kitchen cleaning, filled the space.

Stella picked at the salad on her plate, and across the table, her mother, Elizabeth, was delicately slicing into her grilled salmon.

"So," Elizabeth said, voice light and composed. "Clara Hampton stopped me at the club this morning."

Stella didn't even look up. "That's never a good opener."

Elizabeth smiled faintly, ignoring the sass. "She mentioned you and Oliver had a bit of a moment yesterday."

Stella sighed and finally glanced up. "A moment?"

Her mom raised a brow, clearly wanting more information. "Her words, not mine."

"She introduced us," Stella muttered, shrugging. "We talked. He's nice."

"Nice?" Elizabeth echoed, her tone bordering on amused. "Stella, he's a Hampton. He's practically Southern royalty. Clara thinks he's quite taken with you."

Stella rolled her eyes. "Clara thinks we'd make the perfect country club power couple."

Elizabeth let out a soft laugh and took a sip of her wine. "Well, it wouldn't be the worst match."

"I didn't say that," Stella said quickly. "I mean, he's hot... Blonde, tall, and is apparently going pro in tennis."

Elizabeth tilted her head. "But?"

Stella toyed with her fork, pushing a tomato around her plate. "I don't know. He's easy to talk to. I just... don't feel that spark, you know? It's like he's got all the right answers. All the right looks. It almost feels too perfect."

Elizabeth gave her a surprisingly thoughtful look. "Perfect doesn't always mean real." That caught Stella off guard. Her mom rarely said things like that. "I'm not saying don't see where it goes," Elizabeth added smoothly. "But you've never been one to fake it just because something looks good on paper."

Stella sat back in her chair, finally cracking a real smile. "That might be the nicest backhanded compliment you've ever given me."

Elizabeth just sipped her wine again, smirking. "I'm full of surprises."

They fell into an easy silence, the kind that only came after a conversation that didn't end in a fight or social agenda.

Stella wasn't sure what was going to happen with Oliver—or Rafe, or JJ, or literally anyone—but for now, it felt okay not to know.

And that was enough.

After dinner, Stella cleared the plates and wandered out to the back porch, barefoot with a cold soda in her hand. The air was thick with summer, warm and heavy, but the breeze coming off the water made it bearable. She sat on the porch swing and pulled her legs up, resting her chin on her knees.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Olivia.

O: picking u up in 5 i'm bored and need to see u

Stella smiled and walked back inside towards her mother. "I'm going out with Liv for a bit"

Elizabeth waved her off with a soft smile. "Tell her I miss her. She needs to come over sometime soon—really. It's been too long."

"I will," Stella said, rushing to put her shoes on.

"And hey," Elizabeth added, her voice softer but still teasing, "don't stay out too late. I don't want to get a call saying you two ended up driving off a cliff or something."

"Whatever you say, Mother," Stella called over her shoulder, already stepping outside.

Olivia pulled up in a beat-up Jeep, music blasting, with a smirk on her face. "About time I see you, Valentine!" She exclaimed, as she reached over to the passengers seat, opening the door from her side.

"Could say the same to you, Bennett," Stella laughed, climbing in.

Olivia had always been the type to keep things exciting—wildly loyal, ridiculously funny, and the only person Stella trusted to pull her out of her own head without making her feel small.

"I just gotta make one quick stop," Olivia said, flipping a sharp turn off the road and onto a dirt path.

Stella didn't even have to ask.

"Barry?" she asked casually.

Olivia gave her a wink. "Just a quick thing. Promise."

They rolled up to the familiar, slightly sketchy spot near the Kut, Olivia humming along to the radio as she put the Jeep in park.

But as they pulled in, Stella immediately stiffened. Someone was already sitting on the porch, legs stretched out, a joint burning between his fingers.

Rafe.

He glanced up when he heard the tires on gravel, his eyes landing on Stella before flicking to Olivia.

Olivia cut the engine and leaned forward to peer through the windshield. "Oh, no way. Isn't that your—"

"Don't," Stella muttered, already bracing herself as Olivia hopped out of the car, totally unbothered.

"Hey, Rafe," Olivia called casually, tossing him a crooked smile. "Didn't know you were hanging with Barry too."

Rafe didn't respond right away. His eyes stayed on Stella as she got out of the passenger side, slow and unsure.

"Didn't know you were either," he finally said, voice low and unreadable.

Stella followed Olivia up the uneven steps, trying to act like Rafe's eyes weren't glued to her. Barry leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching the young adults.

"Hey, B," Olivia said easily, giving him a fist bump. "I just need a couple things. I'll be in and out."

Barry nodded, barely acknowledging Stella as he moved to the side and let Olivia inside.

Stella lingered awkwardly on the porch, the only sound between her and Rafe being the distant rustle of wind in the trees.

"You good?" he finally asked, leaning back into the chair.

"Yeah," Stella pursed her lips, "Didn't know this was your spot."

Rafe shrugged. "Just needed something's from Barry."

She nodded, arms crossed, shifting from foot to foot. It was well known Rafe had an addiction. Spending time with the Cameron's showed Stella a lot behind the scenes. Plus, he sold coke at every party he went to.

"You with her now?" he asked, nodding toward the door.

Stella gave him a look. "Liv? She's my friend. Why?"

"No reason." He looked off toward the woods, jaw tight. "Just... didn't think she was your type."

"I didn't know I had a type," Stella shot back, trying to bite back the snappiness.

That got his attention. His gaze flicked back to her, sharper now. "Fix your attitude"

Stella rolled her eyes at this, not wanting to give him any more attention.

The door creaked open and Olivia reappeared, holding a small paper bag and chewing a piece of gum like nothing was tense at all.

"All good," she said, then paused, eyes bouncing between them. "Did I miss something?"

"No," Stella and Rafe both said at the same time.

Olivia snorted. "Okay, chill."

As they started down the steps, Stella glanced back once. Rafe was still standing there, arms crossed again, watching her leave like he didn't know if he wanted to stop her or let her go.