Page 101 of A Solid Guide to Surviving a Situationship

She turned slightly, catching the bartender’s attention with ease.

“Can I get a cosmo?” she said like she was Carrie Bradshaw.

Then Honey glanced at me, eyes scanning my face for half a second longer than usual.

Not enough to call it out, but enough to notice.

Michelle slid off her seat, already spotting someone across the room. “Oh—wait, I know someone,” she said, leaning closer to Honey. “I’ll be right back.”

“Don’t fall in love,” Honey called after her. “We don’t have time for that tonight.”

Michelle laughed, disappearing deep into the bar.

And just like that, it was just the two of us.

Honey turned back to me.

The humor was still there, but softer now—more careful.

She didn’t say anything yet.

She just waited.

“So,” I started, “are we gonna gossip or what?”

“Darling, queens don’t gossip. We spread awareness,” she said.

I laughed—though it faded into a sigh two seconds later.

“I guess Kyle and I are over,” I said, staring into my drink. “Again.”

Honey did not react the way most people would.

“Tell me more.”

I exhaled, letting my shoulders sink a little.

“Aren’t you gonna tell me ‘I told you so’?” I asked.

Honey smiled and shook her head softly. “Never from me.”

I reached for her hand, caressing it with my thumb.

“I found out he’s been seeing someone else already,” I said. “And not just one. There were… others. Like we’re surprised, right?”

I let out a humorless laugh.

Honey hummed, not surprised.

“And how do you feel?” she asked.

I shrugged, even though it didn’t feel like a shrug kind of answer.

“Heartbroken,” I admitted. “But not in a new way.”

She tilted her head slightly.

“It just feels like…” I paused, searching for it. “An echo.”