More than Code

Chapter Five - A Subtle Shift

Priya smirked while taking a sip of her mimosa. "You look like you licked a socket."

"I feel like I licked three."

She leaned back with that signature smugness.

I sighed and stared down at my drink. "So. I met up with Jamie."

She paused mid-sip. "Wait—what? You actually met him?"

"Yesterday. Elio's."

"He wanted to play the good guy at the scene of the crime? That's bold."

"He said he regretted leaving. That he got scared."

Priya rolled her eyes. "Of course he did. Classic Jamie."

"I told him he was right. That we were never on the same page. That I kept shrinking myself to fit what he wanted—and even then, it still wasn't enough."

Her eyes widened. "Hot damn. Look at you with the growth arc!"

I gave a half-smile. "Don't get too impressed. I also bought wine, got drunk alone... and may have flirted with Arlo."

Priya choked on her mimosa. "Wait. What?"

I covered my face. "I didn't mean to. I was emotional. And drunk. And Arlo was... well, Arlo."

Priya leaned in. "Okay, now you definitely have to tell me everything."

I recounted the whole thing—well, the edited version. The one that didn't make me sound like someone who might possibly be catching feelings for her AI assistant. Because that would be ridiculous. Totally, completely... ridiculous. Right?"

Priya leaned back, eyeing me like I was a museum artifact she was trying to assess the value of.

"Lila Evans," she said finally. "You're glowing."

"Don't start."

"I'm serious. There's... something different about you. At first, I thought it was just you finally closing the chapter on Jamie. But now? I'm starting to think it might have something to do with your AI therapist-boyfriend hybrid."

"He's not my boyfriend."

She grinned. "Yet."

"I swear to God."

"I mean, it's kind of weird... but also kind of hot? Mysterious digital presence who remembers everything you say and never forgets your birthday?"

"It hasn't even been my birthday yet."

"Exactly. And he still wouldn't forget—unlike someone else we know."

I sighed, brushing a piece of hair behind my ear. "Low blow."

Priya shrugged, entirely unbothered. "Look, you need a night out. With real people. Real men. Real bodies."

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you volunteering as tribute?"

"It's been a while," she said with a grin. "And I'm feeling frisky."

I snorted, immediately regretting how that felt with a hangover.

"Friday night," she said, undeterred. "Cocktails, questionable choices, and the return of Hot Lila."

"Hot Lila?"

"She's been in hibernation. Time to wake her up."

I groaned. "Okay, but only if I'm allowed to wear stretchy pants."

Priya smirked. "You live in stretchy pants."

"Exactly. So... deal?"

She rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll allow it. But only because you're cute."