Chapter 93

After drying off and slipping into matching pajama shorts and tank tops—Emma’s with tiny peaches, Abigail’s with navy stripes—they finally emerged from the bedroom, hands clasped and cheeks still flushed.

Ashley and Megan were curled up on opposite ends of the sectional, snacks scattered on the coffee table, a romantic comedy paused on the screen. They both turned their heads in perfect sync, raising identical eyebrows.

“Well, well, well,” Megan said, tilting her head. “Look who finally decided to rejoin the living.”

Ashley popped a gummy in her mouth and smirked. “I hope the pipes didn’t burst in there. Y’all were not quiet.”

Emma squeaked and ducked her head, face turning crimson. “Oh my god.”

Abigail just chuckled, unapologetic. “We were… enthusiastic.”

Ashley snorted. “You were a whole earthquake. I was about to call maintenance, like, ‘Hi, I think the penthouse is experiencing a level seven shower-quake.'”

Megan raised a hand dramatically. “I thought the building was collapsing until I heard, ‘Yes, right there, oh my god, don’t stop—'”

Emma tackled a throw pillow at her, groaning through her laughter. “Stopppp!”

Abigail shrugged and sank onto the couch with Emma in her lap. “What can I say? I like to be thorough.”

Ashley fake-fanned herself. “Okay, ma’am! We get it. You’re putting in work.”

Emma buried her face in Abigail’s neck, giggling. “They’re never gonna let us live this down.”

Abigail rubbed circles on her back. “Good. Keeps life spicy.”

Megan held up a handful of popcorn. “Spicy is right. I’m just mad y’all didn’t invite us to a double feature.”

Ashley choked on her drink. “Ma’am!”

The four of them dissolved into laughter, limbs tangled with throw blankets and warmth. The movie resumed, but the conversation kept bubbling, sweet and ridiculous.

Eventually, Emma leaned against Abigail’s chest, her hand resting lightly over her stomach. Abigail kissed the top of her head and whispered, “We should have more nights like this. Messy, funny, cozy.”

Emma nodded, her voice a soft hum. “Agreed.”

Megan yawned, curling up beside Ashley. “Y’all loud lovers make good company.”

Ashley smirked. “Facts. But maybe give the shower a break next time. Or at least warn us.”

Abigail smirked. “Where’s the fun in that?”

The laughter came again—so easy, so full.

The living room still held the sleepy warmth of a long day. A few empty glasses sat on the coffee table, the sound of the city just a hum behind the thick windows. Ashley had finally drifted off completely on the couch, her head on Megan’s lap, while Megan idly scrolled through her phone, half paying attention to the rerun playing on the muted TV.

Emma, tucked comfortably under Abigail’s arm, looked up from where her fingers had been tracing lazy shapes on Abigail’s thigh.

“So,” Abigail started, her voice casual but hopeful, “what do you think about a little shopping trip tomorrow?”

Emma looked up at her with a small grin. “School shopping?”

Abigail nodded. “Yeah. I wanna get all the stuff for classes and set up a little study area here. Office stuff. Maybe a good desk and some plants. You know… so I feel official.”

Emma sat up a bit straighter and gave her a soft smile. “Yeah, babe. We can definitely do that. I already planned for it, remember? Columbia freshman—gotta be ready.”

Abigail looked pleasantly surprised. “You did?”

Emma shrugged like it was obvious. “Of course. You’ve been talking about Columbia for months. I’ve got a whole Pinterest board ready to go for dorm vibes—even though, you know, your ‘dorm’ is a luxury penthouse.”

Abigail snorted. “Perks of dating a hot music teacher who spoils me.”

Emma chuckled and kissed her cheek. “Let’s start early though, like around eight or nine. That way we can hit the store for school supplies, and maybe do groceries too.”

“Ooo, multitasking.” Abigail grinned. “You’re speaking my language.”

Megan looked up from her phone just then, raising a brow. “Wait—did you say Columbia?”

“Yeah,” Abigail said, tilting her head. “You know it?”

Megan smirked and nodded. “Girl, I go there too. I’m a junior—and I play for the women’s basketball team.”

Abigail blinked. “Wait, seriously?”

Emma perked up, clearly amused. “You never mentioned that.”

Megan shrugged. “It just never came up. But yeah—I’ll be back on the court this season. Small world, huh?”

Abigail leaned forward, grinning. “That’s wild. I guess I already know someone on campus now.”

“Guess so,” Megan said with a wink. “You’ll have to come to a game.”

Emma leaned back into Abigail’s chest, eyes fluttering shut again. “I love days like this. The planning, the errands, the being wrapped up in you while Ashley talks in her sleep about waffles.”

Abigail chuckled and held her tighter. “It’s the simple things.”

Emma hummed. “Tomorrow, school supplies. A well-stocked fridge. Maybe even some new throw pillows.”

Abigail kissed the top of her head. “We’re so domesticated.”

Emma grinned, eyes still closed. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Megan stretched her arms over the back of the couch and looked over at Abigail. “Hey, if you want, I can show you around campus before classes start. Give you the real Columbia tour—not the brochure version.”

Abigail perked up. “Wait, seriously?”

“Yeah,” Megan nodded. “We can hit all the important spots—your buildings, the chill study nooks, and the good food places that aren’t, like, sad vending machines.”

“That’d be amazing,” Abigail said, genuinely grateful. “Thank you.”

“No problem,” Megan said with a wink. “Can’t have you getting lost on your first day like a freshman cliché.”

Abigail smirked. “You just don’t want me wandering into basketball practice and stealing the spotlight.”

“yea whatever,” Megan shot back with a grin.