The weekend after her birthday felt heavier than usual. The city buzzed outside, but Mia moved through it like she was wading through fog, caught between memories and the swirl of her emotions. Liam's voice from the party echoed in her mind, and Ace's quiet, simmering presence lingered too, an almost tangible weight she couldn't shake.
By Saturday afternoon, she found herself at the café where she, Lily, James, and Ace often met—a place chosen for its quiet corners and warm light. Lily and James were already seated, drinking lattes and trading jokes to lighten the tension that clung to Mia like a shadow.
"You look like someone just handed you the weight of the world," James said, smirking as she slid into the seat.
Mia gave a short, almost humorless laugh. "Something like that," she admitted, settling into the chair.
Lily leaned across the table, eyes sharp but kind. "It's Liam, isn't it?"
Mia paused. "Yeah… he's back," she admitted. "And I don't know what to do with that."
James's brow furrowed. "He left. Vanished. And now he just appears, expecting you to be okay? Does he even realize what he did?"
Mia's fingers trembled slightly around her coffee cup. "I know. I haven't forgotten. I just… it's complicated. I still…" She trailed off, uncertain how to finish.
Lily reached out, placing a hand over hers. "Mia, it's okay to feel conflicted. That doesn't make you weak. But remember—you have people here who won't let anyone hurt you again."
At that moment, Ace appeared, casually sliding into the chair across from her. He leaned back slightly, the smirk that always managed to annoy her tugging at the corners of his mouth, though his gaze held an intensity that made her chest tighten.
"Talking about me?" he asked lightly, voice teasing, but his eyes never left her.
James snorted. "Uh-oh. Jealous already?"
Ace ignored him, voice lowering. "You okay?" he asked, cutting through the small talk. "You seem… off."
Mia looked down at her mug, unwilling to meet his eyes. "I'm fine," she said.
"You're not," Ace said softly. "I can see it. I'm not letting Liam mess with you like this."
Heat rose to her cheeks. "Ace, it's complicated," she murmured.
"You mean like the way he still has this effect on you?" Ace said, barely above a whisper.
Mia stiffened. "I'm not—"
Lily interrupted, sharp but calm. "Enough with the cryptic statements. Mia, we're here for you. Ace, back off—but we know your concern is genuine."
James leaned forward, frowning. "Seriously, he doesn't get a free pass. Liam left, and he doesn't get to just waltz back into her life."
Mia swallowed hard. The reality of her friends' perspective pressed on her. She wanted to reconcile with Liam, but she also realized how much her boundaries mattered—and how much she relied on these friends to help her see clearly.
Just then, Liam appeared at the café entrance, scanning the tables. His eyes softened when they landed on Mia, but Ace stiffened, subtle tension coiling in his shoulders.
Mia felt her stomach twist. She wasn't ready for this confrontation—not in public, not with Ace, Lily, and James watching. She tried to stand, but Liam's voice called out:
"Mia, can we talk?"
Her heart raced. Lily and James subtly leaned closer, ready to support her. Ace's gaze was sharp, protective.
"No," Ace said quietly but firmly. "Not here. Not like this. She decides how this plays out."
Liam's frustration was visible, but Ace didn't flinch.
Mia's chest tightened, the weight of all four of them pressing on her. She felt Ace's protective gaze, Liam's longing, and Lily and James's unwavering support.
"I… I need some air," she said, standing abruptly and leaving the café before anyone could respond.
Outside, she sank onto a bench, letting the city air wash over her. Her heart still raced, a tangle of memories, emotions, and conflicting feelings. She didn't know how to navigate Liam, Ace, or her own heart—but she knew she wasn't alone.
The slow burn had thickened. The game for her heart had begun, and Mia, for the first time, admitted to herself that she was ready to face it, even if she didn't fully understand it yet.