Rival Hearts: An Unexpected Duo!

Becky missed Freen. It had only been two hours since the blonde had left, yet the ache of her absence lingered. Becky never imagined she could feel this way about someone again. Yet here she was, sprawled on her couch, her thoughts utterly consumed by Freen. She aimlessly flipped through the channels, none of the shows capable of holding her attention.

A sudden knock at the door broke through her reverie. Becky frowned, not expecting anyone at this hour. But then, a spark of hope lit her heart. Freen? She shot up from the couch, her pulse quickening as she hurried to the door. Pausing for a moment, she peered through the peephole, just to ensure she wasn't about to welcome a stranger or worse. Her eyes widened, and her lips curled into an astonished grin.

Throwing the door open, Becky was met with a familiar sight—a tall, radiant woman with long, cascading curls standing confidently on the other side. The woman smirked as she took in Becky’s surprised expression.

"Oh, my God! Irin!" Becky squealed, rushing forward to envelop her in a hug. Irin laughed, lifting her off the ground with an exuberant bear hug.

"What’s up, Rebecca," Irin greeted, her voice warm and teasing as she set Becky back on her feet.

Becky gripped Irin’s forearms, still trying to process the unexpected visit. "How? What brings you here? I thought you were still in Phuket!"

"You, of course, dummy," Irin replied, brushing past her and strolling into the apartment as if it were her own. Her eyes scanned the room, her approval evident as she nodded. "Nice place."

Becky shut the door, her smile refusing to fade. "Thanks," she said, following her friend into the living room. "But seriously, Irin—what’s the occasion? Not that I’m complaining or anything!"

Irin’s eyebrows shot up before a wide, mischievous grin spread across her face. "If I’m not mistaken, someone’s birthday is just around the corner," she declared, clapping her hands together once with a dramatic flourish.

Becky shook her head immediately, already sensing where this was heading. "No, Irin. No party," she said firmly, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "You know I don’t like celebrating my birthday."

"Oh, come on, Rebecca, live a little," Irin teased, stepping closer with an air of mock seriousness. "I’ll throw you a party right here. I’ll invite all your friends… and hey, I’ll even invite Freen," she added, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. "Maybe I can help you rack up some extra points with her."

Becky’s cheeks flushed pink as she bit her lower lip, trying and failing to suppress the telltale smile that gave her away. Irin tilted her head, her sharp gaze narrowing as she studied Becky’s expression. "What’s that look about?"

Becky averted her eyes, rubbing the back of her neck as though the action could hide her embarrassment. "Um… I might’ve already scored some points without your help," she admitted quietly, her voice tinged with both pride and bashfulness.

Irin froze, her eyes widening as her jaw dropped in exaggerated disbelief. "No way," she gasped. "When did this happen?"

Becky dodged the question with a grin, heading toward the kitchen. "Beer?" she offered, her tone breezy but knowing.

"Yeah, sure," Irin replied, quickly following her into the kitchen. She leaned on the counter, her curiosity practically bursting at the seams. "Okay, no more dodging—spill the details. What happened, and when?"

Becky wrestled two chilled beer bottles from the fridge's grasp, the condensation slick against her fingers, and pushed one across the counter to Irin. "So," she began, a hesitant smile tugging at her lips, "it happened. Yesterday. Freen... she just showed up. And, gods, Irin, the heat radiating off her was like a furnace."

"Hold up," Irin interrupted, her brow furrowed in disbelief. "Are you telling me Freen materialized on your doorstep and basically said, 'I'm yours'?"

Becky offered a casual shrug, a playful glint in her eyes. "Let's just say the message was clear, even if the phrasing was a touch more subtle."

Irin popped the cap off her beer, a sigh escaping her lips like a deflating balloon. "Damn it, Becky. How do you always manage to snag the ones that make my jaw drop? You're like a magnet for the extraordinary."

Becky took a long, satisfying swig of her beer, the cool liquid a welcome balm. "Maybe it's my irresistible charm."

"Enough with the teasing," Irin demanded, her eyes sparkling with eager curiosity. "Give me the juicy details. Every single, scandalous moment."

"Ah," Becky hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. "About that... I know I usually provide a play-by-play, but this time feels different. Freen... she's different. And I find myself wanting to keep this one tucked away, a secret treasure."

Becky knew she sounded ridiculously sentimental, a stark contrast to her usual bluntness. Irin had never witnessed this soft, vulnerable side of her. Becky Armstrong and romantic sentiment were usually worlds apart. Yet, Freen had unlocked something new, a sense of genuine, unadulterated happiness.

"Wow," Irin breathed, her voice laced with genuine surprise. "I heard a change in your voice on the phone, but seeing it written across your face... Becky, you're smitten."

A heavy, contented sigh escaped Becky's lips. "Tell me something I don't know."

“So, did you tell her how you feel? Spill the big L-word yet?” Irin asked, her tone a mix of teasing and curiosity.

“I almost did,” Becky admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. “But then… she kissed me. And, well, my brain went completely offline after that.”

Irin let out a low whistle. “And you two are still working together? That’s got to be… interesting.”

Becky shrugged, reluctantly nodding. “It’s complicated,” she muttered.

“Complicated?” Irin smirked, leaning closer. “It’s one thing to want someone you find ridiculously attractive. But it’s a whole different game once you’ve—how should I put this?—crossed the line, and all you can think about is crossing it again.”

“Tell me about it,” Becky grumbled, her words laced with exhaustion.

Irin tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You know I’m going to have to meet her now, right? Got to assess this situation with my own eyes.”

“Right,” Becky said, shaking her head in disbelief. “Like that’s happening.”

“Which is why she absolutely has to come to the party,” Irin declared with finality.

“Ugh, the party again?” Becky groaned, rolling her eyes as if the word itself was physically exhausting.

After a drawn-out battle of wills, Becky caved, throwing her hands up in defeat. Irin, triumphant, began plotting the event like a general preparing for battle. Becky halfheartedly offered her couch as a place to crash, but Irin refused with a sly grin.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” Irin quipped. “If you and Freen are going to be busy… enjoying each other’s company, the last thing I want is to be the awkward third wheel in your tiny apartment. I’ll grab a hotel nearby.”

They spent the rest of the evening in easy conversation, laughter filling the space as the hours slipped by. But as the clock ticked closer to midnight, Becky reluctantly called it a night, the thought of tomorrow’s responsibilities pulling her toward her room.