"Come in," Katie says, stepping into the empty office space situated in the city's isolated but upscale district.

Myka hesitates at the threshold, her eyes darting to all corners, before stepping inside. High-ceilings, pastel-colored wallpapers that soften the modern ambience, private cubicles, and lush greenery. Impressed, her earlier distress slowly melts away. "Wow, the interior design is so... beautiful."

Katie hangs up her jacket and heads to the kitchen. "Thank you. I collaborated with a designer for this one. We're a small team, about twenty employees. But I figured it'd be nice to have a pleasant environment. The work can be tough, so it's the least I could do."

Myka takes her time, scrutinizing the office as a finger glides along the edges of the furniture. She can imagine the days to be busy. Then, she wonders what Katie is like as a boss. Her staff must be terrified of her—Myka would be. At the beginning.

She grins to herself and eventually sinks into a plush beige sofa.

From the pantry, Katie calls out, "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Water is fine, thank you," Myka replies. She has to be sober to drive later.

And it's generally safer, especially since she's with Katie. She feels like she can't trust herself around her... in this cozy place.

With just the two of them.

Katie reappears with a glass of water, hands it to Myka, and settles beside her.

Myka accepts the glass with a grateful nod. "So, why'd you bring me here?"

"Didn't you want to get to know me better?"

Blushing, Myka averts her gaze. "What makes you think that?"

Katie huffs, shifting in her seat. "Am I wrong?"

No, she's spot-on. Myka feels helpless. Exposed. And though it's not Katie's fault since she told her to rescue her, she doesn't like being the only one laid bare. Besides, what does she really know about Katie? Aside from the surface-level facts that she can look up online?

"Okay, fine. It bothers me that you've learned a lot about me. Even Julian and Evan have hardly heard me vent. But somehow, you've seen me twice at my worst."

"Hey, no judgment here. But doesn't it get heavy?" Katie asks, studying her. "You've given me the impression that you've always got your friends' backs. Why wouldn't you let them do the same for you?"

Myka sips, nodding, and sets the glass down on the accent table. "I look out for them, yes... It keeps me distracted, so it helps me. I'm not gonna lie about that. And with me not venting... I guess I don't want anyone to know what my life is really like." She smiles ruefully. "I'd rather not get looks of pity. Everyone thinks of me as this cool woman who's always on the move. Who's got everything together. That's better than the forgotten youngest daughter."

Katie crosses her legs, her voice purposefully light. No pity—that's what Myka has asked for, and that's how it's going to be. "Can't blame you. Your family sounds like a fun bunch."

Myka lets out a mirthless laughter. "Yeah. Too fun they exhaust me. I don't even try anymore."

"But you're upset."

"Of course, I'm upset," Myka says, her tone rising as her expression hardens. "This constant reminder, this clock counting down and telling me that time's running out. That I need to hurry if I want to have my own family. Or a baby, more specifically. It's not fair. I can't just marry any guy who walks into the door. Force myself to love him because I don't have enough time," she exhales. "I hate that everyone else, my family—especially—is rubbing this on my face. Every. Fucking. Time. As if I'm not in the loop. As if I'm not trying. I try! But look how that turned out."

"Dan."

"Exactly," she grunts. "I date around, and things are fine and then boom—it's over. It just... ends. There's always a reason to walk away. Am I searching for this reason? On purpose? Maybe. Maybe not. But either way? I'm... tired."

A sudden quiet ensues, and embarrassment sweeps over Myka's face as her eyes dart to the rug. "I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean to unload on you like that," she murmurs, her fingers fiddling with a loose thread on her blouse.

"It's okay."

Myka gradually lifts her head to meet Katie's gaze, bracing for discomfort but finds no judgment. Rather, there's understanding in her eyes, despite the usual fierceness, that makes her frantic heartbeat slow down.

"Love doesn't come easy for everyone," she murmurs, reaching over to pat Myka's knee reassuringly.

"T-Thanks," Myka mumbles. "And you know what? I must have the worst taste in men. Can you believe Joaquin's the best out of everyone I've ever dated? Just like you. And he wasn't even into me."

Katie giggles, nodding. "Exactly. And it wasn't even a real date, right? It's kinda weird that we sort of dated him, but whatever... I made sure he was my last, though."

"How did you pull that off? It's difficult to get out... If I didn't leave that dinner, I would've probably gotten a scheduled date by tomorrow," she rambles.

Katie's eyes wander to the open glass window that reveals the evening skyline. After a few seconds, she rises to her feet. "Do you want to see my studio?"

"You have your studio here?"

"Yeah. Just next door. I basically live here."

"You do?"

"Kidding. My condo building's a block away." She nudges Myka along. "Come on."

Myka follows a step behind, watching her hair sway with each confident stride.

Realizing that she's staring, she looks away. How many times has she caught herself doing that?

"Here we go." Katie flicks on the lights, showing an expansive room with white walls and multiple canvases scattered throughout, some complete and alive with colors, others pending.

Myka recognizes the scene; she'd been to Julian's workspace when he was lost in his craft. But the atmosphere here is different. Julian's art is dominated by black-and-white contrasts, tinged with a metallic smell of lead. Here, Katie's works burst with colors, accompanied by a synthetic, rubbery scent.

Katie pauses in front of an easel. Myka's attention is lured to the work—a woman's back, her black hair dancing with the breeze as she stands underneath a sprawling tree.

"You paint people, too?"

Katie shrugs slightly. "This is the only one. I usually stick to flora and fauna." She folds her arms against her chest, a small wistful smile touching her lips. "You were right before. I did care about someone once. Deeply. She was my best friend growing up."

"Was?"

"Mm. Not anymore. We... We drifted apart."

Myka flattens her lips, her heart plunging. "But it's not impossible. Look at Joaquin and Julian—"

"It's different," Katie chimes in decisively. "They're meant for each other. Anyone can see that."

"And you...?"

"No. Her family decided for us. But it's been a long time. Eleven years since," she says. "She's married now."

Myka blinks. "Oh."

She turns, half-facing Myka. "But as I told you, all it takes is one person to know."

Myka's cheeks warm under Katie's gaze, and she lowers her eyes to the floor.

Katie notices her fidget and turns her focus back to the canvas. "Anyway, the reason Joaquin was my last was because after him, after we put—or at least tried—to put the rumors to rest, I came out to my family."

Myka's eyebrows raise. "And...? How did it go?"

"Let's just say... It shook things up. Not everyone was on board." When Myka doesn't answer, Katie glances at her. "Myka, don't look so worried."

"Huh?"

Has she been frowning? Perhaps, without even knowing, she was hoping Katie's story had a happier ending.

Because she's some part of her hopes it could happen for her, too.

For her, too? Where did that thought come from?

Katie prods teasingly. "You're giving me false hopes."

Myka instinctively jerks back.

"W-What?"

"You're blushing. See? False hopes."

Myka turns away, her hand flying to cover her mouth. "No, I'm not," she lies through her teeth, though her pulse has revved up to new heights.

It's something she hasn't felt in forever.

Katie is watching her, uncompromising and intense, and she gets another shiver coursing through her body.

Then, abruptly, Katie's tone lightens. "Relax. I was just joking."

Yet, Myka can't relax. She has to get it out of her system. Now. Or she will combust.

"You weren't, though. Katie... I'm attracted to you. You know that."

Katie's eyebrows shoot up, and a subtle shade of pink buds across her cheeks. Thankfully, she is wearing makeup thick enough to mask it.

"Oh. Well, I didn't... Or maybe, I wasn't sure." Katie starts to pick at her French-tip nails, too aware of the shift in the air. "Especially after you rejected me. Outright, too."

"I did, didn't I?" Myka says guilty. When she first realized Katie was into her, she was flattered. And confused. Then afraid. It was unknown territory to her, but her curiosity had simmered alongside fear. Whenever Katie was near... she'd felt some sort of magnetic pull to speak. To engage.

But is that all there is? Curiosity?

Myka strides closer to Katie, her fingers curling around Katie's hand. It's cold, yet smooth, and adorned with delicate rings the press coolly against Myka's palm.

"But am I really attracted to you? Or do I just crave the comfort you bring me?"

"I comfort you?" Katie reiterates, whispering. "That's surprising... but if that's something you are wondering about, we can test it out."

She closes the gap between them further, entwining their free hands.

Myka holds her gaze, the drumming in her chest getting wilder and wilder. "Are you... Are you single?"

Katie smiles. "I am."

"Good."

Taking that as the green light, Myka leans in, her lips brushing Katie's in a delicate, lingering kiss. Katie pulls one hand away, finding Myka's hair and tucking a stray strand behind her ear, her touch unhurried. Letting Myka set the pace, but not letting her feel like it doesn't mean anything to her.

Because it does. The first time she encountered Myka in that elevator, she'd caught her interest. Something sparked. Even when she told her no, that feeling didn't go away. It stayed, unrelenting, waiting for the right time.

And this? Hopefully, this is it.

"Did you hate it?" Katie asks, searching Myka's face, as she withdraws.

Her eyes shine. "No, not at all."

Katie expels a gentle sigh of relief. "That's good enough. For the time being." She releases her. "I'm not going to push you for anything. Because I know that it's not easy. You're probably more lost than you were earlier."

"Well, I..."

"Myka, it's fine. You can think about where you want this to go. I have no expectations," Katie responds. "I mean, I hope you pick me. Because I will be with you during the fallout. But you have to make up your mind if you want this badly enough."

Myka opens her mouth, but the words don't come. She nibbles at her bottom lip. Katie gets it. She's standing by. For her.

It is another countdown, one she's willingly stepping into.

"Okay, Katie," she says, gathering herself. "Okay."

******

A/N: Feeling generous today! We're going back to our favorite babies in the next chap... yes, a cliffhanger for now. T_T