The End of Beginning

That weekend, Julia and Chloe went over to Ryan's for a casual weekend get-together with some of his friends. The evening was buzzing with the kind of energy that came with old friends catching up; the apartment was full of laughter, clinking glasses, and the low hum of background music.

Julia leaned back on the couch, sipping her wine, and glanced at Chloe, who had been unusually quiet since they arrived. Chloe had a soft smile on her face, her eyes occasionally drifting to Ryan, who was talking with a couple of his friends in the kitchen.

"What's going on with you?" Julia asked, raising an eyebrow.

Chloe looked up, startled. "What do you mean?"

"I can see that look on your face. You're practically glowing. Don't think I haven't noticed."

Chloe blushed, a small laugh escaping her. "I guess I'm just... feeling good tonight. Maybe I'll tell him tonight. You know, about... us."

Julia's eyes widened. "Wait, what? You're telling Ryan about your feelings for him tonight?"

Chloe nodded, her expression softening. "I think it's time. I've been putting it off for so long, but I don't want to keep pretending it's nothing."

Julia smiled at her, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves for Chloe. She knew her friend had struggled with these feelings for a while, and it was nice to see her finally ready to act on them.

"You've got this," Julia said, giving her a reassuring smile.

The door opened again, and in walked Joe. He looked a little worn out, his usual playful energy replaced by a quiet, subdued version of himself. His hair was slightly messy, as usual, and his eyes looked tired, but when he saw Julia, his expression softened into a small, familiar smile.

Ryan noticed Joe entering and called him over to join the rest of them in conversation.

Julia took a breath, trying to ignore the slight tension in the air. Joe, despite his quiet demeanor, was still the same guy she had met a few weeks ago, but now, both with the knowledge that he was an actor in a famous TV show and that he may or may not have a girlfriend, things felt different.

The night wore on, the group laughing and chatting as they drank and ate. Chloe and Ryan started to gravitate toward each other, their easy conversation turning into something more intimate as the night progressed. Julia noticed how their eyes lingered a little longer, how their laughter seemed more natural. She could see the subtle shift happening between them, and despite the warmth it gave her, a pang of jealousy stirred in her chest.

Not for either of them, but for the way Ryan and Chloe's connection was growing. That was the type of connection that she had been longing for herself for a long time.

Later in the evening, Julia excused herself and stepped out onto the balcony for some cool air. Julia leaned against the railing, staring out over the city, trying to quiet the noise in her head. The evening had been fine—fun, even—but Joe's presence had unsettled her in ways she wasn't ready to acknowledge.

The sliding door behind her opened. She didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

"Hey there, Harrington," she said, her voice tinged with sarcasm as she glanced over her shoulder.

Joe paused mid-step, clearly caught off guard. Then, a quiet chuckle escaped him as he stepped closer. "Ah, you figured me out," he said, his tone almost self-deprecating.

Julia smirked, crossing her arms as she studied him. He looked tired—his usual carefree charm was still there, but there was something heavier beneath the surface.

Joe leaned against the railing a few feet away from her, staring out at the city lights.

"I have to admit," Julia said, tilting her head. "When I met you, I thought you were just some guy. The sunglasses, the beanie, the whole mysterious stranger at a party thing—it makes more sense now."

Joe huffed a small laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah, well. Turns out if you slap a show on Netflix, people tend to remember your face."

Julia studied him for a second, her curiosity getting the better of her. "So, is that why you do it? The whole... disguise thing?"

Joe exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "It's not as dramatic as it sounds. I just like being able to walk into a place without someone pointing a phone at me." He glanced at her. "And, you know... have normal conversations."

Julia tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Oh, right—because most normal guys conveniently forget to mention they're famous when chatting up a girl at the bar?"

Joe smirked, but there was a flicker of something more guarded behind it. "You didn't recognize me, so I figured I'd see how long I could keep it that way."

Julia scoffed. "Well, mystery solved."

Joe leaned his elbows on the railing, quiet for a moment before he finally said, "I asked Ryan for your number."

Julia inhaled sharply but kept her expression neutral. "Yeah, I heard." She turned to him fully, searching his face. "Why?"

Joe ran a hand through his hair again, exhaling. "I just wanted to talk to you more. Get to know you."

Julia narrowed her eyes slightly. "And what does that mean, exactly? Because as far as I can tell, it seems like you have a girlfriend."

Joe's jaw tensed slightly. He looked down for a second, then back at her, something more solemn in his expression now. "It's complicated," he admitted. His voice was softer, more careful.

Julia scoffed, shaking her head. "That's convenient."

Joe didn't react right away. He just studied her, as if weighing what to say next. "Just because I'm with someone doesn't mean I can't talk to you." He paused before adding, "But maybe it doesn't matter anyways since you're apparently with someone, too?" He sounded confused.

Julia exhaled, "I'm not... obviously. Especially since you caught me getting stood up the other night. My brother is just an idiot who feels he should make decisions for me and speak on my behalf." She could tell Joe was holding back a small smile.

After a long pause, Joe shifted slightly, his fingers drumming against the railing. "Look, I don't expect anything from you," he said. "But I'd still like to get to know you."

Julia swallowed, conflicted. After a moment, she pulled out her phone, unlocked it, and handed it to him. Joe glanced at her, surprised, before taking it. He entered his number, saved it, and passed it back.

Julia stared at the screen for a second before locking it without saying a word.

Joe offered a small, almost knowing smile. "Guess I'll see you around, Julia."

She didn't respond, just watched as he turned and slipped back inside.

The cool air suddenly felt a little heavier.