Caught Between My Fiancee And His Ex Best Friend

Chapter 6

Amaya

I wandered through the softly lit gallery, the murmur of conversations and the gentle clink of wine glasses creating a sophisticated hum beneath the smooth jazz playing from hidden speakers. The opening night crowd moved leisurely between the large abstract canvases, their bold splashes of color and texture drawing people in like magnets. I’d decided to come here alone after leaving Adrian’s apartment this morning.

I was about to move on when a familiar laugh rose above the ambient noise, rich, melodic, and instantly transporting me back years.

My heart skipped. I turned, scanning the room, and there she was. Lila. Standing near a cluster of smaller sculptures, gesturing animatedly to a small group of admirers. Her auburn hair cascaded in loose waves down her back, catching the warm gallery lights. She wore a sleek black jumpsuit that accentuated her athletic build, the deep V-neckline elegant rather than revealing. Time had refined her features. Those high cheekbones, full expressive lips, and piercing green eyes that always seemed to hold a spark of mischief.

We had been inseparable during college, best friends who shared everything from cramped dorm rooms and all-night study sessions to wild weekend adventures. Then graduation scattered us. I chased a stable corporate job across the state, while Lila pursued her art in bigger cities. Texts grew sporadic, calls even more so, until silence settled like dust. Seeing her now sent a rush of nostalgia through me, warm and bittersweet.

As if feeling my gaze, Lila turned. Her eyes widened in recognition, then lit up with pure joy. “Amaya? Oh my god, is that really you?”

She excused herself gracefully from the group and crossed the polished floor toward me, her heels clicking softly. We met in a tight, lingering hug. Her familiar scent, jasmine mixed with a hint of turpentine and fresh canvas, wrapped around me like an old blanket. I hugged her back fiercely, laughing softly as we pulled apart just enough to look at each other.

“Lila, I can’t believe this,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “You look absolutely radiant. When did you get back in town? I had no idea you were showing here.”

“Two months ago,” she replied, her smile wide and genuine. She held my hands in hers for a moment longer. “I’ve been holed up in a studio downtown, prepping for this collection. It’s part of a larger series I’ve been working on for years. Amaya, it’s been forever… Six years? Seven? You haven’t aged a day. Still got that same warm glow that lights up every room.”

We drifted away from the main crowd, finding a quieter corner near a large window overlooking the twinkling city lights. A low bench sat against the wall, and we settled onto it side by side, our knees occasionally brushing as we turned toward each other. The conversation flowed easily at first, like no time had passed at all.

“Tell me everything,” I urged, setting my wine glass down on a nearby pedestal. “What have you been doing since we last talked? I remember you heading to New York right after graduation, chasing that big break.”

Lila laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “God, New York was a whirlwind. The first two years were brutal, waitressing at night, painting during the day in a tiny shared studio. I had a few group shows that went nowhere, but then I landed a residency in Brooklyn. That changed things. I started experimenting more with mixed media, incorporating textiles and found objects. One piece got picked up by a small gallery in SoHo, and from there… It snowballed. I did a stint in Paris for six months, can you imagine?”

Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, and I could picture it so clearly. Lila had always been the bold one, fearless in chasing her passion. “Paris sounds magical,” I said. “Did you fall in love with the city? Or with anyone there?”

She smiled wistfully. “The city, yes. The art scene, the light, the way everything feels alive. Romance… there was someone. A sculptor named Elise. We were together for almost a year. She taught me so much about vulnerability in my work, how to let the emotions bleed onto the canvas without holding back. But long-distance became too hard when I started traveling more. We parted amicably, and it left me thinking.”

I nodded, feeling a pang of understanding. “I do. After college, I took that marketing job in the city. It was supposed to be temporary, but it turned into a solid career. Promotions, deadlines, team management, the whole corporate ladder. It’s rewarding in its own way, paying the bills and giving me structure. I met Adrian, my boss, about three years ago after he came back from the state. He’s… he’s wonderful, Lila. Steady, kind, with this quiet strength that makes me feel safe. We’ve been together seriously for over three years now.”

“How's your mom and family?” I added.

Lila’s face softened. “Mom’s good. She retired last year and moved closer to my sister in Oregon. We video call every Sunday. She still asks about you, by the way… How’s that smart friend Amaya doing? She always loved how you kept me grounded.” She paused, sipping her wine. “And your family? Last I heard, your brother was heading into law school.”

“He did,” I confirmed. “Passed the bar and everything. All thanks to Adrian.”

Lila reached over and squeezed my hand gently, her touch familiar and comforting. “That version is still in there, Amaya. Life separated us, but it didn’t erase who we are. I’ve missed these talks. Missed your perspective. You always saw the practical side while I was floating in the clouds. Tell me more about Adrian. Does he make you laugh? Support your dreams, even the quiet ones?”

I smiled, opening up more. As the evening wound down and staff began politely signaling closing time, Lila glanced at me with that same open warmth. “We can’t let another six years pass, Amaya. Coffee next week? Or dinner? I’d love to hear more about you, and show you my studio if you’re up for it.”

“I’d like that,” I said sincerely, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. “A lot.”

We exchanged numbers again, promising this time to actually use them, and hugged goodbye near the exit.