Hard Decisions on the Horizon

You pick up your phone again, scrolling back to David's message while Clara prepares the avocado toast in the kitchen.

"Hey," you call out, "what would you think if I sent this picture to David too?"

Clara pauses mid-garnish, a sprig of cilantro suspended over the plate. "The shirt picture? His shirt?" A slow smile spreads across her face. "That's deliciously evil. Do it."

You attach the same photo to a message for David: "Borrowed something of yours. Hope you don't mind "

As you hit send, a ripple of excitement courses through you – something about the taboo of sending such a suggestive photo to someone who knew you as Matt feels both terrifying and thrilling.

Clara slides a perfectly plated avocado toast in front of you. "So," she says, sitting across from you at her small dining table, "what exactly is going on between you and David?"

You nearly **** on your first bite. "What do you mean?"

"Well, for starters, you're wearing his shirt in a distinctly non-platonic way," Clara points out, gesturing with her fork. "And there's clearly some tension there. I saw how he was looking at you at the pub last night."

You struggle to explain without mentioning the transformation. "It's... complicated. We've known each other through Matt, but there's this new... energy between us."

"Oh, honey," Clara laughs, reaching for her mimosa, "that 'energy' is called sexual tension, and it was thick enough to cut with a knife last night."

Your phone buzzes with David's response: "That's definitely not how I expected to see that shirt again. We REALLY need to talk when you get home."

You show Clara the message, and she raises an eyebrow. "'Need to talk' is never just talking, you know."

"What do you think I should do?" you ask, genuinely curious about her perspective.

Clara takes a thoughtful sip of her mimosa. "Well, that depends on what you want, doesn't it? David's obviously interested – has been since you walked into the Fox & Crown looking like a snack in that emerald dress. But..." she hesitates, setting down her glass.

"But what?"

"But I'm interested too," she admits, her eyes meeting yours. "Last night wasn't just a one-off experiment for me, Mia."

The weight of her words settles between you. Clara – confident, gorgeous Clara – is admitting feelings for you. Meanwhile, David, who actually knows your secret, is clearly struggling with his own attraction.

"I don't know what to do," you admit honestly. "This is all so new to me."

Clara reaches across the table, taking your hand. "You don't have to decide anything right now. But maybe consider why you sent that picture to both Jamie and David."

"What do you mean?"

"Well," she says, rubbing her thumb across your knuckles, "you sent it to Jamie to shut him down. Why did you send it to David?"

The question hangs in the air as you realize you don't have a simple answer. Was it to tease him? Make him jealous? Or was there something else – some part of you that wanted to acknowledge the strange new attraction between you?

Your phone buzzes again – another message from David: "I'm serious, Mia. This isn't something we can avoid talking about. I'll be home all day."

"Looks like someone's eager," Clara observes with a wry smile. "So what's it going to be? More mimosas with me, or a 'talk' with David?"

12:45 | Sunday 3 August 2025 | Clara's apartment, Fulham

All daily tasks completed!

Return Points: 25

Babe Bucks: 10