"Wait, back up," Lila said, eyes narrowed with suspicion. "You're telling me that Steve—Mr. Quiet and Brooding—has a best friend who's single and actually fun?"
Michelle grinned. "That's exactly what I'm telling you."
Steve leaned on the back of Michelle's chair. "His name's Jordan. He's been my best friend since middle school. Smart, laid back, and…"—he glanced at Lila—"…totally your type."
Lila raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what exactly do you think my type is?"
"Someone who can keep up with you," Michelle said with a smirk.
The double date was set for Friday night—dinner at a retro-style diner followed by an outdoor movie in the park.
Michelle wore a soft lavender sweater and a jean skirt, her hair in loose waves. Lila went for her signature high ponytail, gold hoops, and a fitted black jacket that made her look like she'd just walked off a magazine cover.
Steve showed up in his usual quiet-cool fashion, but the real surprise was Jordan.
Tall, warm eyes, a playful smile, and a vintage band tee.
"Hey," he said, offering his hand to Lila. "You must be the famous Lila I've been warned about."
"Warned?" she echoed, one brow raised.
"In a good way," he added quickly, laughing. "Like, 'she's intense but hilarious and don't try to win an argument with her.' That kind of warning."
Lila tried to hide her smile. "Smart man."
The diner was buzzing with soft music and neon lights. They slid into a red booth—Steve and Michelle on one side, Lila and Jordan on the other.
Jordan cracked jokes that made even Steve laugh out loud, and Lila, usually the queen of sarcasm, was giggling in a way Michelle had never seen before.
"So," Jordan asked between bites of his burger, "what's your biggest red flag?"
"Hmm," Lila mused. "People who pretend they're too cool to dance. Or who text 'k' instead of 'okay.' It's a personal crime."
Jordan mock-gasped. "I'm guilty of both."
Lila pointed her fry at him. "Then this is your one and only warning."
Michelle leaned her head on Steve's shoulder. "This is fun," she whispered.
He kissed the top of her hair. "You deserve fun."
Later at the movie, they all lay back on blankets under the stars. The screen lit up with a black-and-white classic, and popcorn passed from one pair of hands to the next.
Michelle felt Steve's fingers intertwine with hers.
Across from them, Jordan and Lila whispered quietly, their heads close together. Lila's laughter floated through the night air, softer than usual.
Michelle smiled.
Maybe this night wasn't just about a double date.Maybe it was about belonging. About finding your people. About letting go of the fear that things were too good to last.
And as the stars blinked above and the movie played on, Michelle felt something rare—
Peace.Love.And the warmth of something just beginning.