The credits rolled to raucous laughter from the screen—Paws & Mayhem's hamster villain tumbling into a yarn-ball abyss one last time—as the auditorium lights hummed back to life, bathing the worn red seats in soft amber.
Emily bounced up first, raven waves tousled from leaning into Reyes during the slapstick frenzy, bare feet slipping back into her heels with a wiggle.
Reyes rose fluid beside her, massive frame unfolding like a switchblade, eyes sweeping the thinning crowd—exits clear, no tails—before they wove out through the velvet curtains, night air hitting cool and salty off the bay. Even if she was basically 'enjoying,' it wouldn't stop her from doing her job. She was hired as a bodyguard—not as a 'girlfriend.'
"That cat sidekick was gold," Emily gushed, arm looping Reyes's again as they hit the path, heels clicking excited gravel. "The way she shredded that laser trap? Pure genius. And the dog's donut face-plant—died laughing. Way better than Lily's plastic explosions."
"How did you know it was plastic?"
"I just know, okay?"
Reyes's lips twitched faint amusement as she trailed steady, gloved hand hovering protective near Emily's waist, but she didn't dare to touch her. "Solid dumb fun. Dog had heart, even if paws failed him."
"Should we eat?" Emily asked, stomach rumbling audible now, eyes scanning the strip of glowing food shacks lining the beachfront—neon signs promising tacos, fries, fish fresh off the grill.
Reyes glanced down, brow quirking under her cap. "Well, we ate at your house. Eggs and bacon filled me solid."
"That?" Emily waved it off with a pout, curves swaying as she tugged Reyes onward, warmth cutting the breeze. "Barely a snack. Wasn't my main dinner—more like late fuel."
"I was in the military." Reyes rumbled dry, boots crunching even. "MREs taught me full's full. No need chasing midnight grease."
Emily halted dramatic, hands on her hips. "I too eat random foods for dinner, lunch, breakfast—whatever's quick between sketches and factory calls. Wait, why are we even discussing this? I want to eat. Tacos? Fries? Something hot and messy."
Reyes exhaled slow, eyes crinkling with warmth, broad shoulders rolling concession. "Fine. Let's go." She turned sharp on her heel, pivoting back toward the food row—taco truck's grill sizzling vivid, smoke curling inviting.
Emily blinked, ponytail swinging as she jogged to catch up, heels wobbling faint on uneven road. She saw Reyes turning her head toward some bushes. "You know that I can't run with these, right? And why are you looking there? Did something happen?"
"Nothing happened." Reyes's voice dipped a bit, gaze flicking ahead to the neon haze, scarred jaw tightening once before easing. She fell into step beside Emily again, their shadows merging long under the light, the night's pulse drawing them toward sizzling promise.
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Faye was ready to die—swear to God. Why did her cousin have to be such a narcissistic bitch? Lily had dragged her to this glitzy theatre, forcing Faye into a ridiculous disguise—oversized sunglasses perched on her nose, a floppy hat yanked low over her ears, and a scarf knotted tight around her neck despite the balmy night air. Sunglasses? Why did she force to wear that at night? Her cousin had a ridiculous disguise as well.
The auditorium thrummed with cheers as Lily Warren owned the screen in Neon Vengeance, all leather-clad swagger and over-the-top punches, orange explosions blooming behind her smug crimson grin.
"My movies are the best, aren't they? Those 'Paws' would never stand a chance." Lily whispered, giddy delight lighting her eyes as she leaned a bit.
"I'm dying," Faye groaned, slumping deeper into the seat, hat brim shadowing her epic eye-roll.
"Look at my acting—pure fire!"
"Lily, are you ignoring me?! I am dying!"
"See my moves? That hood flip—iconic!"
"I'm dying, cousin!"
"Look at that punch! Felt it in my bones on set."
"Are you trying to kill your cousin, Lily?!" Faye hissed through clenched teeth as the crowd erupted once more.
When credits rolled amid thunderous applause, Faye nearly sobbed in relief, bolting upright with a strangled yell. "Let's go!" They shoved through the exiting throng—Lily smiling coyly at her admirers, who didn't know that she was there—until cool night air slapped their faces outside the glass doors, city neon throbbing alive, distant bay waves murmuring under streetlamp haze.
"They love me too much, Faye."
"Yeah?"
"Wait, who's there?"
There, strolling the lit strip beneath swaying palms, was Emily Leonhart—raven waves tumbling loose, brown silk tube top catching golden flickers, arm looped casual with a towering alpha woman whose broad frame screamed coiled threat. Faye's eyes sharpened wicked.
"Oh, your lover's here," Faye teased, jabbing Lily's ribs sharp.
Lily froze mid-stride, eyes widening in shock as she clocked Emily's bright laugh, the stranger's vigilant shadow. "She isn't my lover," she snapped low, voice slicing iced silk despite the visible jolt.
"Seems she's trying to replace you. Look at that alpha—six-foot-plus of raw muscle. Pretty sure she's more capable than you."
"Fuck you, Faye!" Lily's full lips curled snarl, manicured nails digging into her dress, whispering fury with each tense shift. "Are you doubting my capability?"
"Who knows?" Faye's eyes twinkled malicious, sly grin blooming as she gripped Lily's elbow. "Let's follow. Scout the drama."
"No, wait—"
Faye ignored her, heels clicking silent as they tailed at shadow's edge, ducking behind a dense row of manicured bushes when Emily glanced back mid-laugh. Twigs snagged Lily's dress, Faye stifling giggles while they eavesdropped.
"So, that woman's Reyes," Faye murmured into Lily's ear, peering through leaves.
"Why's she out with an unknown woman?" Lily hissed venom, sapphire gaze narrowing to slits, knuckles whitening. "Didn't she learn her lesson after I saved?"
"Do you know Reyes?"
"No."
"Then shut up."
Reyes pivoted sudden then—eyes sweeping predator-keen, razor pixie cut glinting under light, jaw locking steel. Lily and Faye dropped low instinctive, pulses hammering, bushes rustling scant cover.
They resurfaced breathless, tracking the pair veering toward the glowing taco shack—grill smoke curling thick and inviting, mariachi guitar strumming lazy overhead.
"I really liked that cat sidekick—she was gold," Emily gushed again, heels clicking lively on gravel, tube top swaying with her bounce.
Reyes smirked faint, boots thudding even beside her. "You've told me this before."
"But remember how she shredded that laser trap? Pure genius. And the dog's donut face-plant—died laughing. Way better than Lily's plastic explosions."
"You've said that too."
"Yeah," Emily huffed triumphantly as looped her arm around Reyes's arm. "I'm pretty sure Lily's movie was pathetic."
Lily's face turned stiff, her eyes held disbelief. How could someone hate her movie? Her acting?
But Faye was very happy. She stifled her laugher as she looked at her cousin with a smug expression.