Page 39 of Shift the Tide

Izzy shook her head. “You being a mom only adds to how incredibly hot I think you are. And who you’ve been attracted to in the past has nothing to do with us. We have something, Kiera. I know you don’t want to deny it anymore, either.”

The elevator began moving down, and both of them fell into a tense silence.

She could push more. She wanted to push. But she wouldn’t. Not with Kiera. Not with this.

“Maybe I should go, and we could give this some space to get our heads on right,” Kiera murmured, reaching out to press the button for the lobby.

Izzy opened her mouth to say something — anything — but Kiera spoke first.

“But,” Kiera said tentatively, “I do think this is worth figuring out.”

Izzy blinked. The shift in her chest was immediate, warm and hopeful.

“Figuring out?” she repeated, eyebrows lifting.

Kiera gave a small, nervous laugh. “Yeah. I care about you.”

“As… friends?” Izzy asked.

Kiera shook her head. “Well, yeah, and… as more. I’m done pretending there isn’t something more here. I just also can’t deny we’ve got a lot to lose, and I’m a mess?—”

Izzy tilted her head, lips curving into a slow smile. “I don’t mind that you’re a mess.”

Kiera pursed her lips. “At least no one is denyingthat.”

Izzy grinned. “Don’t you think honesty is going to get us a bit further?”

Kiera exhaled, the sound almost a laugh, almost relief. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

As the elevator doors slid open to the lobby, Kiera reached to give Izzy’s hand a squeeze before stepping out.

It wasn’t the ending she’d imagined, but it wasn’t an ending at all. It was a pause. A breath. A door left cracked open.

Izzyslid into a booth at Sunny Side Up, a cozy brunch spot with mismatched mugs, checkered tablecloths, and the distinct smell of butter and coffee in the air. It was the kind of place Pete loved — no-nonsense, greasy, and perpetually packed with hungover twenty-somethings inhaling pancakes like their lives depended on it.

Pete had arrived before her and was nursing a cup of coffee, her arm draped over the back of the booth like she owned the place. She smirked as Izzy sat down. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t our very own heartbreaker. Should I be congratulating you or offering condolences?”

Izzy sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. “Jesus, Pete. Can we start with coffee before you start prying into my personal life?”

Pete snorted, waving down a server. “Coffee for my very grumpy friend, please.”

Izzy murmured a thanks, fidgeting with the sugar packet container. She could feel Pete watching her, studying her for some type of clue.

“So,” Pete started, stretching out the word. “Are you going to tell me what happened with Kiera last night, or do I have to guess? Because Iloveguessing, but I’d hate to embarrass you in public.”

Izzy leveled her with a look as the server brought coffees and cream. “You’re going to embarrass me in public no matter what, so let’s not pretend that would stop you.”

Pete grinned, unrepentant. “Valid.” She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “Come on, though. Spill. You two had someserioustension happening at dinner. I figuredsomething was bound to happen when you left at the same time.”

Izzy stared at her coffee, debating how much to say. She and Pete had been through so much together — college, bad relationships, even worse decisions — but this? This felt too tender and new and unknown.

Pete’s smirk faded slightly. “Okay, now I’m actually a little concerned. Did something bad happen?”

Izzy let out a slow breath. “I kissed her.”

Pete didn’t react right away, just nodded like she was waiting for the rest.

Izzy took a long sip from her mug. “And it was good.Reallygood.” She hesitated, then added, “But then it wasn’t.”

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