?Chapter 502:

    As soon as Sharon slid her feet inside, Ste reached into the hallway cab and handed her a shiny new key.

    “Here—this is for you.”

    The excitement on Sharon’s face was impossible to miss. “Wait, are you serious? Is this—”

    Before she could finish, Ste nudged the key into her hand, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “It’s the key to my ce. Now you can drop by whenever you want—even if I’m not home.”

    A while back, Ste had promised that if she ever had a home of her own, she’d always save a room for Sharon and hand her a key.

    Today, she finally made good on that vow.

    Sharon clutched the key like it was a winning lottery ticket, then threw her arms around Ste, practically bouncing with joy.

    “Stel, you’re amazing! I’m seriously going to cry. Tell me I’m the only one—you didn’t give Josie a key too, did you?”

    Ste let out a soft sigh, still smiling. “Nope. Just you.”

    Sharon’sughter came bright and easy, echoing through the living room.

    The truth was, Ste and Josie never met at home. Their hangouts happened at the studio or at some event around the city. If Sharon was the ride-or-die best friend who knew every one of Ste’s secrets, Josie was the loyal backup—a friend who’d always show up in a crisis, but never overstep. Josie respected boundaries, never popping over unannounced or fishing for invitations.

    But there was no way Ste was going toy all that out for Sharon.

    Sharon flopped onto the couch, casting a nce at Ste’s coat draped haphazardly over the armrest. “You just got in, huh? Tell me you at least grabbed dinner on the way.”

    Ste let out a weary sigh, running a hand through her hair. “Nope. It’s been a day. I was just going to make some noodles in a bit. You want some?” The moment she heard it, Sharon shot her a look of mock outrage.

    “Don’t tell me buying this ce left you so broke you can’t even splurge on dinner. You scraping by already?”

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    But her tone softened a beatter. “Not that I’m judging. I haven’t eaten either. Step aside—I’ll order us something that’ll actually taste like food. Your noodles are fine, but tonight we’re getting real takeout.”

    Thirty minutester, Sharon swung open the door to collect the feast she’d gone all out for. The air filled with the clean scent of fresh sushi, still cool from the chef’s hand. As Ste bit into a buttery eel roll, she nced over. “Hey, Sharon, ever hear anything about Shauntely?”

    Ste hadn’t been plugged into business chatter when she was still with Marc—half those names barely meant anything to her back then. If she’d never dumped Marc, she probably wouldn’t have crossed paths with Shaun. But Sharon? She always seemed to know who was who. Ste figured she’d give it a shot and see what her best friend had heard.

    Sharon popped a piece of salmon sushi into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. “Shaun Smith, huh?” She tilted her head, thinking. “I’ve met him a few times. I think we even worked together once. But honestly? The guy’s hard to read.”

    Ste leaned in, curious. “Why do you say that?”

    “It’s just a feeling,” Sharon said with a shrug. “He’s all polite and polished on the outside, but I swear—turn your back, and he’d probably stab you without blinking. Stel, why did you bring him up?”

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