Blood and Silver

Best Friends Forever

The bell over the door jingles as Tasha strides into the diner like she owns the place, shedding the city’s winter chill with a dramatic shiver. She yanks off her scarf and beanie, her sleek black hair staticky from the dry air, and slides into the booth across from me like she’s been here for hours.

“Tell me why I still live in this godforsaken city where the wind is trying to murder me,” she groans, rubbing her hands together.

I smirk, flipping my notepad shut. “Because you love me and couldn’t bear to leave me behind.”

“Yeah, yeah, keep dreaming.” She nudges the sugar dispenser toward me, absently stirring a straw through the packets. “I had a date tonight, you know. And yet, here I am, spending my prime hours in this dump, because someone needs to make sure you haven’t died from caffeine overdose.”

I raise a brow. “Was he another suit?”

“God, no. I learned my lesson with finance bros. This one was artsy. Like, brooding painter vibes. He called me his ‘muse’ before the drinks even arrived.”

I make a gagging sound. “You’re kidding.”

“I wish.” She sighs, propping her chin on her hand. “The worst part? He had the nerve to order for me. Like, sir, if I want a salad, I’ll order the damn salad myself.”

“Oh, absolutely not.” I shake my head. “I hope you walked out.”

“Of course I did.” Tanya gestures at herself. “I don’t tolerate that kind of nonsense. Anyway, I figured I’d drop by and check on my favorite loner before heading home.”

I snort. “I’m not a loner.”

She gives me an exaggerated side-eye. “Uh-huh. So what’s new in Selene’s Thrilling Diner Life™?”

I lean back against the counter, glancing around the half-empty diner. The flickering neon OPEN sign outside casts a faint pinkish glow across the greasy floors. Same as always.

“Well,” I say, deadpan, “I had the pleasure of dealing with Rick the Grabby Handed for the third night in a row.”

Tanya groans. “That guy again? Ugh, he gives me the creeps. Did you finally deck him?”

“Not yet.” I roll my eyes. “But I did accidentally spill his coffee. All over his lap.”

Her eyes widen with delight. “You did not.”

“Oops,” I say, not even a little sorry.

Tanya laughs, full and unrestrained, the kind of laugh that turns heads. A couple of regulars glance over, but she doesn’t care. “I swear, one day you’re gonna snap and go full feral on someone.”

I grin, but something about her words lingers.

Before I can dwell on that unsettling thought, Tanya grabs a fry from the plate I had been snacking on without asking. “So, when are you gonna let me set you up? You can’t just work and brawl your way through life forever, Sel.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Excuse me, I do not brawl my way through life.”

Tanya gives me a flat look. “Girl. I have literally watched you take down men twice your size and walk away like it was just cardio.”

“Details.”

She shakes her head, popping the stolen fry into her mouth. “Fine, but seriously—just one date. A casual one. No expectations, no weird painter dudes calling you their muse.”

I shoot her a smirk. “What if I’m waiting for someone who can actually keep up?”

Tanya snorts. “Then you’re gonna be waiting forever.”

I laugh, but deep down, I can’t shake the feeling that I am waiting—for something I don’t even understand yet.