They got home exhausted.
The kind of tired that came from laughter, alcohol, loud music, and emotions nobody wanted to name out loud.
Jerry kicked off his heeled boots the moment they entered the apartment, groaning dramatically as he collapsed onto the couch.
"I survived," he announced to the ceiling. "Socializing is hard work."
Lisa laughed softly, slipping out of her heels. Her feet ached, her head buzzed lightly from wine and happiness she didn't expect to feel tonight.
For the first time since Oliver, her chest felt… lighter.
"Goodnight," she murmured, heading toward the bedroom.
"Dream of handsome men," Jerry called lazily.
She didn't answer.
Because she already knew who would appear in her dreams.
Sleep came quickly.
And with it—
him.
Oliver's eyes.
Oliver's voice.
Oliver's hands gripping the wall beside her head.
The dream felt too real. His presence surrounded her again, intense and consuming, his gaze dark with possession.
"You keep coming back to me," dream-Oliver murmured.
Her breath hitched.
She felt trapped between resistance and longing, heat curling through her body as memories and imagination tangled together. His laughter echoed low and dangerous—
And suddenly—
"GIRL!"
Lisa jerked awake.
Jerry stood at the doorway, arms crossed, trying very hard not to laugh.
"You were having serious dreams," he said, barely containing himself. "And I'm guessing he handles you better in dreams than real life because you were about to rip the bedsheets off!"
Lisa buried her face in a pillow. "Jerry!"
"You were screaming!" he added, laughing loudly. "That man must have you in a chokehold emotionally."
She threw a pillow at him.
He dodged easily. "Come on. Coffee. And we check emails. Let's see which company is ready to appreciate my best friend."
An hour later, they sat at the dining table with laptops open and coffee steaming between them.
Refresh.
Nothing.
Refresh again.
Still nothing.
Lisa sighed. "Maybe no one wants me."
Jerry snapped his laptop shut. "Absolutely not. Rejection energy is banned in this house. We're going for a walk."
The estate was calm, lined with trees and quiet luxury houses. Morning sunlight softened everything, and Lisa found herself breathing easier.
Maybe things were finally settling.
On their way back, someone called out.
"Jerry!"
A tall man jogged toward them, smiling widely.
"Steve," Jerry greeted, though his tone immediately cooled.
Steve turned to Lisa, charming smile in place. He took her hand gently and pressed a kiss against it.
"Well, hello."
Before Lisa could respond—
"Nope," Jerry cut in instantly. "My friend is off limits."
Steve laughed. "Relax, Jerry. She's beautiful. And that body? Made to be worshipped."
Jerry stepped closer to Lisa protectively. "Off. Limits."
Steve raised an eyebrow. "You still jealous because things didn't work out between us?"
"I wasn't catching your vibes," Jerry replied flatly.
Without another word, he grabbed Lisa's arm and walked away.
Lisa blinked. "That was intense."
Jerry sighed. "I'm not making decisions for you, but Steve plays games. And you're barely recovering from Oliver."
The name alone made her stomach tighten.
Right then, her phone rang.
Jerry peeked immediately. "Who is it? Oliver?"
She rolled her eyes. "No. Jared."
Jerry gasped. "Oh! What does Mr. Rooftop Romance want?"
"He's asking me on a date."
Jerry clapped excitedly. "Two days in the city and already booked! I raised you well."
Lisa laughed. "He said you can come too."
Jerry grinned. "Double date? Say less."
By 7 p.m., the driver arrived.
Lisa wore a pink dress that hugged her curves perfectly, soft yet striking, the neckline low enough to make her nervous.
Jerry stepped out wearing palazzo pants, chiffon shirt, layered necklaces, bracelets, and heeled boots—effortlessly dramatic.
"You look expensive," Lisa said.
"I am expensive," Jerry replied.
The rooftop restaurant overlooked the glittering city skyline.
Elegant. Quiet. Wealthy.
Lisa adjusted her dress for the fifth time.
"Relax," Jerry said. "You look beautiful. I look iconic. We're winning."
"You promised to behave."
"I behave selectively."
Across the restaurant, Jared waved warmly. Beside him sat his friend Mace, who looked permanently unimpressed by life.
Jerry froze mid-step.
"Oh," he whispered. "The friend is fine too. This is dangerous."
Dinner unfolded exactly as chaos intended.
Jerry interrogated Jared like a lawyer.
Mace laughed constantly.
Lisa alternated between embarrassment and genuine happiness.
For the first time, she forgot Oliver completely.
Almost.
Laughter filled the table. Glasses clinked. Even Jerry's dramatic reactions turned the evening into something warm and alive.
When the wine spilled onto Jerry's lap, the entire table dissolved into uncontrollable laughter.
"For supporting love," Jerry declared dramatically, "I have suffered."
Even Lisa laughed until tears formed.
And for one rare moment—
everything felt normal.
Later that night, they returned home, still laughing as they replayed every embarrassing moment.
"That waiter owes me emotional damages," Jerry complained.
Lisa collapsed onto the couch, smiling wider than she had in days.
Then—
ding.
Jerry checked his phone.
His eyes widened.
"…Girllll."
Lisa sat up. "What?"
"Heaven has finally noticed you."
He turned the screen toward her.
An email.
A housekeeping agency.
Interview scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Lisa's heart skipped.
"A job?" she whispered.
Jerry grabbed her shoulders excitedly. "A job!"
Hope rushed through her chest—new city, new start, new life.
Neither of them noticed how fate had quietly begun tightening its threads again.
Because tomorrow.