Chapter Twenty-Three.

The next few days blurred together in a quiet rhythm of normalcy—something neither Sage nor Harlow was entirely used to. They worked their shifts, came home to their room, and finished the last of the redecorating. The once-empty walls were now covered in band tapestries and fairy lights, the bed covered in soft blankets they picked out together. For the first time in a long time, Sage felt like she belonged somewhere.

Then came the morning of their shared day off.

Sage woke up first, stretching lazily before turning toward Harlow, who was still curled up in sleep. A slow smirk spread across her face as she ran her fingers lightly over Harlow's waist.

"Mmm, morning," Harlow mumbled, barely opening her eyes.

Sage leaned in, pressing a kiss just below her ear. "Morning, baby. You look cute all sleepy like this."

Harlow cracked an eye open. "You're just saying that 'cause you wanna get in my pants."

"Well, yeah," Sage said shamelessly, her lips ghosting along Harlow's neck. "But also because it's true."

Harlow let out a breathy laugh, but before she could fire back a response, Sage's hands were already sneaking under her shirt, teasing at the soft skin of her stomach.

"Wanna shower?" Sage murmured, lips still trailing over her skin.

Harlow shivered. "Together?"

Sage pulled back, grinning. "Unless you're scared you can't keep your hands to yourself."

Harlow rolled her eyes, shoving her playfully before dragging her out of bed.

The shower was filled with teasing touches, stolen kisses, and soft laughter echoing through the steam. By the time they made it back to their room, wrapped in towels, Sage grabbed her phone off the nightstand.

Her stomach dropped.

A message from an unknown number. But she knew that number.

Saw you at the diner the other day. Guess you got yourself a new girl. But you know I could treat you better. Give me another chance, Sage. You don't belong with her. You know that.

Sage's face twisted in disgust. "No way."

Harlow, in the middle of getting dressed, glanced over. "What?"

Sage turned the phone screen toward her. "It's her. My ex. She—I had her blocked, Harlow. How the hell did she—" She cut herself off, fingers gripping the phone tighter.

Harlow's expression darkened. "That bitch."

Sage exhaled sharply, pressing her fingers to her temple. "She's such a narcissist. I don't even know how she got through to me."

Harlow took the phone from her hands before Sage could spiral further. Without hesitation, she started typing.

Don't ever contact Sage again. She's moved on, and she's happy. You're just mad you don't have control over her anymore. Stay the hell away.

She hit send before Sage could stop her.

"Harlow," Sage said cautiously.

But Harlow wasn't looking at her. She was staring at the phone, fingers tightening around it.

"She thinks she can just waltz back in like she didn't break you?" Harlow's voice was tight, her face stormy. "Like she's somehow better for you than me?"

Sage reached for her. "Baby, don't—"

"No," Harlow snapped, stepping back. Her chest heaved. "I'm so tired of people acting like I'm not good enough for you."

Sage's brows furrowed. "Who the hell thinks that?"

Harlow let out a bitter laugh. "Everyone! Jessica. Your ex. Probably your mom, too. And maybe—" She cut herself off, voice cracking.

"Maybe you."

Sage's breath caught. "Harlow, stop."

Harlow shook her head. "No, because I know you deserve better than me." Her voice was barely above a whisper now, shaking with emotion. "I see the way you take care of me, how much you love me, and I just—I don't know if I'm strong enough to deserve it."

Sage felt something sharp twist in her chest. "Don't say that."

Harlow backed away toward the door. "I need some air."

Before Sage could stop her, she was gone.

—

Harlow didn't know how long she had been walking, only that she ended up in the woods behind the house, her back pressed against a thick oak tree as she let the tears fall freely.

She hated this feeling. This smallness.

The sound of footsteps crunching over fallen leaves made her lift her head.

Sage.

She knelt down beside her, reaching out but hesitating just before touching her. "You really think that little of yourself?" Her voice was quiet, raw.

Harlow wiped her face, sniffling. "I don't know. Sometimes."

Sage exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Harlow, you saved me. After everything my mom put me through, after everything my ex did, you were the only one who made me feel like I was worth something. You think you're weak? You are the strongest person I know."

Harlow looked up at her, eyes shining.

Sage pulled out her phone. "Here," she said, handing it over. "She texted back before I blocked her again. I want you to see."

Harlow hesitated before taking the phone.

Whatever, Sage. When she finally ruins you, don't come crying back to me.

Sage had responded with nothing but laughter, and then:

You already ruined me, sweetheart. That's why I had to find someone to fix me.

Blocked.

Harlow let out a choked laugh, shaking her head. "You're such a bitch."

Sage grinned. "Yeah, but I'm your bitch."

Harlow exhaled, finally cracking a small smile. "You really love me, don't you?"

"More than anything."

Harlow reached for her, pulling her into a tight hug. Sage melted into her, letting her lips brush against Harlow's temple.

"C'mon," Sage murmured. "Let's go back home."

—

By the time they got back to the house, they were both emotionally drained. They wandered into the kitchen, mindlessly heating up the leftovers from last night. Neither of them had much of an appetite, but it felt like a way to ground themselves.

They sat at the table, picking at their food in comfortable silence, before Sage finally spoke.

"So," she said, tapping her fork against her plate. "What the hell are we gonna do today?"

Harlow smirked, reaching over to steal a piece of chicken off Sage's plate.

"I have a few ideas."