Chapter 2

Clarence's POV

The following morning, when I powered on my phone, two missed calls popped up on the screen.

There were also two messages, both from the night before.

The first read, "Why didn't you wait for me?"

The second read, "Blake was cooking, so I couldn't step away. Let me know when you get home."

Before I could reply, Serena's call came through. "Blake removed your fingerprint from the door lock of his own accord. I've already talked to him about it."

Then, she added, "Eira and the others are hosting a gathering tonight. Join us. We're all friends. I'm sure you'll get to know everyone over time."

I wasn't particularly keen on attending it, yet I agreed anyway.

…

When I arrived at the private room of the cheese fondue restaurant, Blake was already seated at the head of the table. He patted the chair beside him. "Rena, sit here!"

I wanted to sit to Serena's right, but another one of their friends beat me to it. "Come on. Let me sit next to Serena so we can have a few drinks together."

Blake poked his head out, looked at me, and said with a smile, "In that case, you can sit across from us. The view is better from over there."

Thus, I took the seat farthest away from Serena. Across the thick steam of the fondue, I watched as Blake turned his head to talk to her. His hair almost brushed her shoulder.

The crabs were served. Blake poked at them with his cutlery and joked, "Rena, help me crack this crab. I'm terrible at it."

Without saying a word, she picked up a crab, placed it on her own plate, and cracked it for him. Her fingers turned slightly red from the steam, yet she didn't seem to care.

Blake picked up a piece, bit off half of it, and held the remaining piece of crab meat up to Serena's lips. "Have a bite, Rena. It's so fresh!"

Serena ate it straight from his hand, her lips brushing against his fingertip.

One of their friends teased, "After all these years, you two are still this touchy-feely. Aren't you afraid her actual boyfriend will get jealous?"

Blake chuckled. "Rena has been peeling crabs for me since we were kids. Her boyfriend isn't that petty, right?" With that, he turned to look at me.

In an instant, all eyes were on me. I froze for a split second before forcing a smile. "Yeah, it's fine."

After taking a few bites, Blake pushed the plate in front of him toward Serena. "I can't bite through this meat, Rena."

Serena took a look at it, transferred the meat to her own plate, cut it into smaller pieces for him, and pushed it back. Even though she didn't utter a word the entire time, she did it as though she had done it countless times before.

One of their friends said in amazement, "The two of you are so in sync. I guess that's what happens when you grow up together."

Blake laughed and turned to Serena. "Do you remember when we were in college, and you came to my campus to see me? My roommate thought you were my girlfriend. He even insisted on taking us out to dinner."

Serena smiled. "Your roommate was way too enthusiastic."

"Tell me about it. He kept asking us when we were getting married," he continued. When he said that, his gaze swept over me with an imperceptible hint of triumph.

He then reached out to straighten Serena's shirt collar, his fingertips brushing over her collarbone. "Your collar is crooked."

No one at the table thought anything of it. None of them found it strange.

I watched Blake's hand linger at her neckline for two seconds before he finally withdrew it. Serena didn't dodge. It was obvious that she was used to it.

Halfway through dinner, Blake rose from his seat to grab a drink. When he stood up, his hand slipped, spilling a glass of red wine over my white T-shirt.

Before I could utter a word, Serena had already grasped Blake's hand and turned it over to check it. "Did you hurt your hand? Did the glass break?"

Blake shook his head and said he was fine. Then, he looked at me apologetically. "I'm so sorry. Is your shirt expensive? I'll buy you a new one!"

The red wine trickled down the fabric and dripped onto the toe of my shoe. Serena didn't spare me so much as a glance.

"I'm going to the restroom," I said.

When I reached the door of the private room, I heard Blake's hushed voice. "Rena, is your boyfriend upset? Did I upset him earlier?"

Serena's voice rang out. "He's not that petty. Don't overthink it."

He chuckled. "That's good. I was worried you'd stop talking to me because of him."

A few muffled laughs ensued.

I stood outside the door, just like I had the night before at Serena's doorstep.

All of a sudden, I found it almost laughable. The people inside were the ones who truly belonged. I had always been the one left standing outside.