Recover ~ 3

TESS

Tess knocked twice on the glossy black door before it swung open to reveal Katie, grinning from ear to ear.

"Hey!" Tess beamed, pulling her into a hug. "Happy birthday."

"Tess!" Katie squeezed back hard. "Thanks, babe. C'mon in."

They stepped into the warm glow of the hallway, where the low hum of music and chatter filtered from the next room. Tess took in the fresh flowers, the flicker of candles, the perfect arrangement of everything.

"So... any different?" Tess asked, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Katie arched a brow. "Different?"

"You know," Tess said, "Now that you're twenty-five. Any wiser? Any maturer? Ready to start wearing turtlenecks and sipping wine like a proper adult?"

Katie scoffed. "You ask me that every year, babe."

"And you always give me the same answer," Tess smirked.

Katie led her into the main living room, which looked very different from the last time Tess had seen — covered in boxes and cobwebs.

"Jesus, Katie... this place is gorgeous."

"Thanks. All me. Picked every tile, every lamp. Nearly had a nervous breakdown over curtain fabric, but worth it." She smiled.

"Jesus you're starting to sound like my mum."

Katie laughed and looped an arm through hers, leading her toward the dining room. "Alright, let's get you introduced."

Before they stepped in, Tess leaned in slightly. "Anyone else here yet?"

Katie hesitated for half a second, a sheepish smile creeping onto her face. "...No."

Tess gave her a pointed look, but Katie was already steering her toward a cluster of people.

"Okay, that's Amber," Katie murmured. "And that's Cal. He's nice but two drinks in, and you'll be talking politics till sunrise."

They mingled briefly, Tess flashing more smiles than she'd had to offer but Katie soon tugged Tess toward the kitchen with a sparkle in her eye.

"Alright, break time. The birthday girl needs to show you her masterpiece."

The kitchen smelled faintly of citrus and mint. On the counter sat a tray of tall glasses, each filled with a bright coral drink garnished with basil.

"Ta-da! For my birthday, I made a signature drink." Katie picked one up proudly. "It's called the Katie 2.5 — get it?"

Thomas was leaning against the counter, sleeves rolled up, clearly the one who'd actually made them. "She designed it, I executed it," he said with a small smile. "Very... distinctive."

Katie gave him a mock glare. "You love it."

Thomas sipped his own. "It suits you. Strong, bit unexpected, leaves you wondering if you even want another one."

Katie swatted at him playfully.

Before Tess could reply, someone from the living room called Katie's name.

Katie groaned but handed Tess a glass. "Don't drink it all before I get back."

She disappeared, leaving Tess and Thomas in the kitchen. Tess sniffed the drink, took a small sip, and tried to mask the twitch of her mouth.

"It's...not bad?"

Thomas caught it instantly. "You hate it."

"Yup," Tess admitted. She glanced toward the living room. "I don't really want to go back out there alone."

"Good," Thomas said. "Neither do I. I can't keep up with all their chat — it's exhausting."

They settled into an easy rhythm, leaning on the counter like they'd done a hundred times before.

"So," Thomas said eventually, "Is Cook coming?"

Tess shrugged, a little defensive. "I assume so."

"Why?"

He tilted his head. "Just wondering. Haven't seen him in a while."

"Funny, thought you weren't Cook's biggest fan."

"I definitely wasn't back then." Thomas gave a small laugh. "But I can see he's changed."

Tess's expression softened just slightly. "Yeah... he has."

Before either of them could say more, Katie's voice rang from the other room. "Ems!"

Thomas and Tess exchanged a glanced.

"Finally some tolerable people!" she declared, her and Thomas following the sound of Katie's excited squeals.

Emily was in the doorway, holding hands with Naomi — who now had rich brunette hair instead of her trademark blonde.

Tess's jaw dropped. "No way. You— you're brunette!"

Naomi smirked. "Surprise!"

They hugged all around, Tess giving Emily her very own 'Katie 2.5'. Naomi grimacing at the sight of the bright pink drink. Some things don't change.

Emily and Katie drifted ahead, already chattering about family birthday plans they'd have to endure tomorrow, leaving Naomi and Tess trailing behind as they re-entered the living room. Naomi held up a green bottle in one hand like a trophy. "I brought gin—was that right?" she asked, her mouth curling into a smirk. "Don't know what these fancy Bristolian's are into."

Tess snorted. "Trust me, gin's the safest bet. Anything's better than that birthday drink." Naomi laughed, and before Tess could add more, the door swung open again—JJ bouncing in with his usual burst of energy, Lara right behind him, balancing a tote bag stuffed with something suspiciously lumpy.

Tess hugged Lara, who promptly handed her the small tote bag.

"I've been meaning to give these back," Lara explained.

Tess peeked inside, face twisted in confusion. "Is this all of Lewis's stuff?" She scoffed looking through the small mountain of toys and clothes he'd left there over the week.

JJ, meanwhile, was mid-ramble about the dog they'd just got (which only fuelled Lewis's determination to get his own)

"Albert and I have already taught it two tricks — sit and stay — well, technically stay only works for around five seconds but it's progress."

Tess laughed, listening to JJ's animated stories of the little retriever.

From across the room, she spotted Effy and Freddie arriving, Katie practically lighting up at the sight of them. Then she caught sight of Cook stepping inside, his usual easy swagger dialled down a notch for the party crowd.

Katie was across the room in a flash to hug Effy. They'd somehow ended up close over the years despite their teenage bickering. Cook followed, already chatting with Emily.

The party hummed around her, music and chatter blurring into one low, fizzy hum. Tess lingered near the edge of the crowd, swirling what was left of her drink, eyes flicking to where Cook leaned in close to say something to Emily. He laughed at whatever she said, the sound catching her off guard.

And then, like a bubble breaking, she remembered — what Lewis had told her earlier that evening. How he'd so casually mentioned that Cook and her had slept in the same bed, apparently close, the other week. She'd shoved that thought into the furthest corner of her brain, but now, watching him, it flooded back in. Her stomach tightened, heat crawling up her neck.

She looked away quickly, pretending to be fascinated by Katie lighting more candles on the coffee table. She told herself she'd talk to him later. Just... not yet.

COOK

He'd been there a while, but for some reason Tess hadn't come over.Not that he was offended. Really. He wasn't. He hadn't exactly gone up to her either. But she'd seemed perfectly fine yesterday. Maybe he was overthinking it. Or maybe it was Katie's surprisingly strong drink he'd been handed.

After a quick, chaotic dance with JJ —Who was still as shit at dancing as he'd been ten years ago — Cook had retreated to the sofa, watching the party churn in front of him. 

Then Naomi plonked down next to him, nearly sloshing her drink on his leg.

"Alright, Cook," she said, cheeks flushed, eyes a bit glassy. It took him a second to clock it — the brunette hair.

"When'd you do that then?" he asked, pointing at her head.

She smirked. "Couple weeks ago. Thought I'd try looking like a grown-up."

"Didn't work then," he grinned.

They fell into old habits without thinking — insults, updates, little bits of gossip. She told him about work, London's many interesting characters, about how Bristol hadn't changed and yet somehow everyone in it had. He told her about Manchester in a way that left out the worst bits. He dragged on about Lewis for a while but she didn't seem to mind. He mentioned Tess once. Then another time. Then again, without realising.

Naomi took a slow sip, eyeing him like she'd just solved a puzzle."Right. When are you and her gonna stop moping about and just shag already?"

Cook choked on his drink. "Jesus, Naoms—"

"You do realise you've brought her up, like, every other sentence?"

"Look, I see her all the time, don't I?" he said, defensive. "Not my fault. Forced proximity and all that."

Naomi gave him a slow, smug smile. "Technically it is your fault."

He snorted, shaking his head. "You're drunk."

She leaned back, still watching him. "So what's the plan then? You gonna play it safe, or are you actually gonna make a move that sticks?"

He hesitated. "Tried that. Didn't exactly go to plan."

"Then try again." Naomi softened slightly, but only slightly. "You've got a good thing with her. Maybe you screw it up, maybe you don't. But at least you'll know you didn't waste another decade pretending you didn't care."

Cook stared at his drink. "Christ, you've got deep in your old age."

Naomi grinned, getting to her feet a bit unsteadily. "Yeah, sure. I just had one too many drinks I think." She laughed, patting his shoulder. "Still right, though."

And then she was gone, swept into the crowd, leaving him with his drink and a head that suddenly felt louder than the music.

Cook drained the last of his drink and slid off the sofa, nodding politely at a couple of strangers before making his way outside. The backyard was quiet compared to the hum inside. The air was cooler, the night stretching out like a pause button pressed.

On the deck, Tess stood alone, shoulders squared but tense, a cigarette resting between her fingers. She seemed smaller somehow in the soft light, a flicker of vulnerability hiding behind her usual guard.

He cleared his throat softly. "Hey."

She glanced over, eyes wary but steady. Without a word, she held out the cigarette. Cook accepted it with a nod, the tip glowing faintly in the night.

For a long moment, there was nothing but the crackle of the smoke and the distant hum from inside.

Cook tried again. "Good to see everyone together again innit? feels like forever."

She exhaled, the smoke trailing like a quiet sigh. "Yeah... it does."

The silence stretched, fragile.

Then Cook ventured, "Had a run in with your mum yesterday. Little impromptu dinner."

Tess gave a half-laugh. "Yeah, I heard. Surprised you survived that actually."

He smiled, shaking his head. "Turns out me and Anna might be hitting a turning point."

She cocked an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

He shrugged, casual but with a softness. "Yeah we managed a couple conversations."

She smiled, just a little.

Cook's gaze drifted for a second. Tess's breath hitched—a soft sneeze breaking the quiet.

"Bless you," he said, stepping a little closer.

"Thanks." She wiped her nose with the back of her hand, eyes lowering. "Allergies have been a pain lately."

Cook's voice dropped, careful. "Still worried about Lewis. With the asthma and all. I mean... you know how fast things can go sideways. Especially when he's rolling around everywhere like a fuckin' maniac."

She gave him a sideways glance, a small smile touching her lips. "Cook he's gonna be fine now that we know he has it. We'll know what to do."

"Just don't want to see him like that again." He said, voice soft.

"Me neither." 

She hesitated, then seemed to decide something. "Actually, Lewis said something the other day."

Cook's heart skipped. He kept his gaze fixed on her, waiting.

She bit her lip, words stumbling out. "About... that night. After the hospital."

Cook's jaw tightened, his eyes avoiding hers.

"Is it true?" Tess pressed. "Or-or is he just talking nonsense?"

Cook exhaled quietly, voice low. "Look... we'd had a nice chat, y'know? Then you just drifted off in my arms. I swear, I was gonna leave. I swear to you."

He swallowed hard, voice cracking just a little. "But I didn't. I stayed. And, well... you know."

There was a quiet weight to the air. Tess watched him, breath shallow.

Cook went on, the words tumbling out, earnest and raw. "I only told Lewis not to say anything 'cause I didn't want to scare you. I know it's not what you wanted. Not how you planned it."

Tess's lips quivered into a small, breathy laugh, breaking the tension.

"Cook... it's okay. I think."

He blinked, surprised. "You think?"

Her voice softened. "It was just... nice. You being there. The chat. The hug."

Cook's heart pounded.

Then she added, a little defensively, "But it's not... not a big deal."

He frowned. "Ey?"

"You just said it was nice, but now it's not a big deal?"

She shifted nervously, "I'm just... confusing myself."

Cook stepped closer, voice steady but full of feeling."I'm not. I know it mattered. To me, at least. And I know it did to you. Even a little bit."

The air thickened, every breath feeling too loud. Slowly, he leaned in, his hand reaching up to brush a stray hair behind her ear.

Their lips met—tentative at first, then something deeper, electric and aching—lingering just long enough to crack the walls they'd built.

Then she pulled back sharply, eyes wide, breath uneven. "Shit."

Cook saw it immediately—her panic, the way her fingers clenched, her body tensing like she wanted to run.

"Fuck. Fuck." She said, cursing herself.

"Why? Why do you always do this?" she burst out, voice shaking, frustration bleeding through. "Why do you always have to—just—make things complicated? You kiss me, you say the things, and then it's like..." She swallowed hard, struggling. "I don't know... like I'm supposed to be ready or something. But I'm not. I'm fucking not."

Her words tumbled out, raw and jagged.

Cook softened, stepping closer, voice low and steady, trying to hold her without overwhelming. "I don't wanna make you feel like shit...But I don't know how many chances I've got left with you. Don't want to fuck it up again."

She swallowed, voice fragile. "That's the thing, Cook... you're not fucking it up. For once your doing everything right. Everything good."

He searched her face, hope flickering like a fragile flame.

"Im the one who can't get out of my fucking head. Like I'm stuck in a loop and I can't get out." Her gaze dropped, almost to herself. "And that makes it so much worse."

Cook shook his head, quiet but fierce. "Nah. It's not like that. We both carry our shit. But you're not broken. Not by a long shot."

She shook her head, biting her lip, eyes darting away. "It's just—this whole thing, it's fucking with my head. I can't think straight."

He reached out again, fingers brushing hers lightly. "Then don't think. Just don't let it."

Their space shrank, the night pressing in, the unsaid hanging heavy between them.

"Cook you know I can't —"

But Katie's voice cut through the quiet.

"Cake time!"

Katie's head popped around the door, eyebrows raised at the unexpected scene.

"Oh! Fuck. Whoops. Sorry." She said, laughing awkwardly as she quickly exited the scene.

Cook and Tess exchanged a look—fragile, unsure—and then followed the sound of the party and the crowd.

Cook and Tess blinked, the spell broken, the distance suddenly very real.

They exchanged a shaky glance—equal parts fragile and unsure.

"Yeah," Tess muttered, rubbing the back of her neck. "We should... probably go back inside."

He  just nodded, their fingers slipping from each other as they turned toward the noise of the party.

Cook stood near the kitchen island, the ornate birthday cake glowing under the pendant lights like some sacred relic nobody was allowed to mess up. People were laughing, chatting, jostling for space, but none of it really registered. Tess had drifted to the other side of the bench, wedged between Katie and Effy as the chorus of Happy birthday began to be sung.

Their eyes met across the counter for a heartbeat — that flicker of something raw and unreadable. Tess looked just as tangled and distant as he felt inside, like she was holding herself together by a thread. And suddenly the noise of the party felt miles away, like it was happening underwater or through a thick fog.

He wanted to say something—anything—to cut through the haze in his chest, but his tongue felt heavy and useless. He tried to focus on the silly details—how Freddie was teasing Effy about stealing the best slice of cake, how Thomas was laughing too loud as he balanced his plate—but even that couldn't drag his head out of the swirl of what'd just happened.

Cook felt like he was standing on the edge of something, maybe a chance to fix it all, or maybe about to fall. All he knew was that Tess being that close yet so unreachable made everything inside him ache like it was both breaking and healing at once.

That kiss. It was like a spark in the dark, both a promise and a warning. But the way Tess had pulled away, the way she'd tensed up—God, it crushed him. She didn't want this, not really. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

He could still see the panic in her eyes, hear her voice shaking with frustration and fear. It hit him harder than any fight or falling out ever had. Because it wasn't anger or distance between them—it was something more complicated. Fear. Confusion. Maybe even doubt.

Cook swallowed the lump in his throat and forced a half-smile as Katie cut into the cake, trying to play along, but his eyes kept flicking back to Tess. How could he reach her? How could he get her to stop running?

But deep down, a cold knot tightened in his gut. She didn't want it. Or she couldn't. Maybe that was the truth they were both avoiding. Because no matter how much he wanted to fight for them, some things weren't that simple.

Maybe tonight was just another night spent chasing a ghost —one that slipped through his fingers every time he thought he'd caught her.

TESS

Tess sank onto the edge of the bathtub, her heart still pounding from the kiss outside. The air felt thick between her ears, a jumble of wanting and confusion tangled with a flicker of something she wasn't ready to name. She closed her eyes, willing herself to slow down, but the rush of everything—Cook, the night, the half-truths—kept crashing over her.

She barely noticed Katie's footsteps as they entered the room, the soft hum of a tune drifting in before the sound of drawers sliding open and shut. Katie was searching for something, oblivious to Tess at first, fingers rifling through a cluttered drawer without a glance up.

Then, catching her reflection in the bathroom mirror, Katie froze.

Her eyes met Tess's in the glass, and the humming stopped abruptly. "Fuck, Tess! What the hell? You scared the shit out of me, girl!"

Tess didn't look up. "Needed a minute. Too much going on downstairs."

Katie shut the drawer she'd been rifling through, then perched on the tub's edge beside her. "Alright, spill it. What was all that out there?"

Tess hesitated, then let it out, slow and raw.

"We kissed. Before you showed up."

Katie's eyes widened, mouth gaping open. She couldn't stretch it any more even if she tried, "Wait – What!? Why? How!?"

Tess looked down, ashamed. "We were just talking and then I asked if he really slept in my bed the other night."

Katie blinked, "Sorry what?"

Tess stared at her expectantly, like Katie was already supposed to know all this information, "Lewis told me today that he saw us in bed together. And I wanted to know if it was true or not cause you know, it's Lewis I'm relying on here."

"Un–fucking believable." Katie let out a dry laugh.

Tess groaned. "And then I think I confused him even more out there, saying it wasn't a big deal and all of that. And I maybe went off on him...God I haven't been making it easy, have I?"

Katie cracked a smile, shaking her head. "Tess, you've been pretty fuckin' confusing lately— No actually since forever. But I get it. I really do."

Katie crossed her arms, looking serious. "Listen, I've always had a problem with Cook. Probably always will with the way he's acted, the shit he put you through—fuck, I've been ready to throttle him more times than I can count. But..."

She paused. Collecting her thoughts. "It's totally different I know –Thomas never hurt me like Cook hurt you. But my ex? I kept Tommo at arm's length because I was terrified he'd end up like the assholes before him. But when I finally let go? It was the best thing I could've ever done."

Tess hesitated, the words caught like stones in her throat. "I don't know... I just feel like I'm stuck. Like... I want something but I'm scared to take it. Cook—he's... complicated. And I don't know if I'm ready to risk it all again."

Katie's eyes locked on Tess's.

"This shit you're dealing with? It's complicated and painful and probably the last thing you wanted to deal with. But it's yours. All of it. And you're not the same person you were when all this started. Cook isn't either. And Lewis? Well, Lewis is Lewis. He's a fresh start—a clean slate. For both of you."

Katie reached out, nudging Tess gently. "You deserve to be happy, and yeah, maybe that means taking a chance on Cook...Or not. But don't let fear steal what could be good."

Katie's voice got sharper. "And honestly? You've been dancing around this like it's a bloody puzzle when it's pretty fucking simple. If you want something, fight for it. If not, stop wasting everyone's time—including your own."

She gave Tess a look that was equal parts challenge and loving. "You deserve better. Don't forget that. You know sometimes the things that scare us most are the things worth holding onto."

Tess let out a breath, the tension in her chest easing just a little.

She sniffed, nudging Katie with her elbow. "Maybe 25 has made you more mature."

Katie laughed. "Fuck off. I've always been like this. You were just too stupid to listen."

But this time she definitely was listening.

 Things weren't perfect, but fuck, they were better than they'd been in a long time.

And maybe they could keep getting better. 

Eventually Katie coaxed Tess out of the bathroom. She followed Katie's lead, her hand reluctantly pulled free as they reached the archway into the living room. Katie's eyes immediately caught sight of Cook, standing in the far corner chatting with Freddie.

Katie gave Tess a pointed look. "Right, now go over there and talk. Like the grown adults you're supposed to be."

Tess hesitated, muscles tightening as she glanced toward Cook. But before she could make a move, something unexpected happened.

Cook broke away from Freddie and started walking toward them.

Tess's heart thudded, and she linked her arm with Katie's instinctively, both of them stiffening.

But when he reached them, Cook didn't look at Tess. Instead, he turned to Katie first.

"Well I'm off," he said quietly, voice low but polite. "Happy birthday, Katie. Thanks for having me."

Katie nodded, eyebrows raised but said nothing.

Then he glanced at Tess — just a polite nod, a small, sad smile that tried and failed to avoid her gaze.

The awkward weight between them was almost suffocating.

He gave a final nod and slipped away before Tess could find the words to say anything.

Her chest felt tight, a mix of relief and regret swirling inside.

Katie squeezed Tess's arm gently. "Well... that was awkward as fuck."

Tess whispered under her breath, "Fuck. What have I done?"

She watched his retreating back, the space between them expanding like an ocean she wasn't ready to swim.

COOK

Cook's steps slowed as he reached a few houses down the street, his mind still tangled in the chaos of the night—the awkward goodbye, the kiss, the sharp sting of Tess slipping away like smoke. He was halfway convincing himself to not go back to talk to her. To not say something. Anything. When a voice cut through the cool night air.

"Cook!"

Startled, he turned, blinking into the dim glow of street lamps to see her—Tess—marching toward him with a fierce, determined stride. His heart twisted, caught off guard.

"Tess?" he called, voice uncertain, eyes searching her face.

But she didn't falter. Before he could process, she closed the gap between them in a heartbeat, pressing her lips to his. The kiss was urgent, raw—full of every unsaid thing between them—and Cook kissed her back without hesitation, like she was the only solid thing in the world.

But then she didn't stop.

Confusion flickered across his face as he gently pulled back, hands hovering near her shoulders.

"Hey, Tess, woah, woah—what's going on?"

She swallowed hard, eyes blazing. "Fuck it," she said breathlessly, "I thought it was gonna be like before but I know now. I've been so stupid."

Cook pulled back once more, brow furrowed. "But what about—"

"I don't care," she interrupted, voice fierce.

Cook's chest tightened, a sudden warmth spreading through him despite the chill in the air. Her words hit him harder than any kiss.

"Well what about Lewis? What about everything you said before — being scared, confused, not ready?"

She didn't break eye contact. "I said, I don't care."

Each time he tried to reason, to voice the questions bubbling up—about her feelings, fears, what they'd been tiptoeing around—she silenced him, fierce and relentless, with kisses that left no room for doubt or hesitation.

He stopped her and reached for her hand, squeezing gently. "I'm here Tess. I'm not going anywhere. But I don't want to rush you, don't wanna force you into nothin'"

"You're not." She said, voice at a whisper.

"I need to know you're sure. That this isn't just another one of those fuckin' moments."

Tess's breath hitched. She looked down for a second, then back up, eyes shining with something raw and vulnerable. "Cook... I love you. So fucking much. And I'm sorry it took me so long to let myself."

There it was—raw and simple, breaking through the walls they'd both built.

He reached for her again, fingers trembling slightly, the weight of all the nights spent wondering if this moment would ever come crushing down on him. It was terrifying and beautiful, and he kissed her like he was never letting go. Slow, sure, a promise without words.

This wasn't some fleeting moment. It was everything.