Sunday morning came quietly, but my thoughts didn't. I was already dressed, already tidying up, already waiting when there was a knock at the door. Layla stood there holding a matte black bag from Noir Lux Coffee from the "Coffee for One" Collection- like an offering. "I came bearing apologies," she said with a small smile. I stepped aside and let her in. We moved through the kitchen comfortably, the way women do when the friendship is real, but the air is slightly off. I brewed the coffee while Layla leaned against the counter, scrolling through her phone, filling the silence with her presence. The aroma filled the room-warm, indulgent, familiar. We sipped slowly, catching up om surface-level things. Work stress. A mutual friend's breakup. The kind of conversation that avoids anything sharp. Until I brought it up. "I was surprised to still see Chris last Sunday," I said casually, eyes fixed on my mug. Layla froze. Just for a second- but long enough. "Oh yeah?" she asked a little too quickly. "Yeah," I continued. "I thought once you canceled, it was going to be just me and Russel. Layla took a sip of her coffee, buying time. "I didn't think he would be here".  I nodded. "I didn't either. "Silence settled between us, thicker than before. Then she looked at me- like really looked at me. "So let me ask you something," she said. "Do you like Chris?" The question landed heavier than I expected. "What?" I laughed lightly. "No- why would you even-" "September" she interrupted gently. "Just answer." I hesitated. Not because I liked Chris-but because the question forced me to examine something I hadn't quite looked into yet. "He's a nice guy, but he's not my type." I said carefully. "And to be honest, I didn't think he was your type." Layla raised an eyebrow. "And what do you mean by that?" I sighed. "He's not my type meaning; I don't like him." But she pressed. "And..." "And I didn't think he would be your type either, given that you're into women more than you are into men." Layla leaned back in her chair, studying me. "So that's what you think?" "I mean, you don't really notice men like that." I spoke. "And you do huh?" "With all of the unfinished ones you've encountered." I looked at her stunned. She softened. "I'm not judging. I just...I didn't know if you were open to something different. Or if you were just filling space." "You know, I'm still trying to figure Russel out," I said quietly. "I don't want to repeat old patterns. But I also don't want to rush into something just because it feels safe." Layla nodded slowly. "That makes sense." We sat there, coffee cooling, truth hovering. She added. "I didn't mean to put you in an awkward position September; I just wanted to come here to make it up to you." " You did, " I said softly, lifting my mug. "You showed up." She smiled. As she finished her last sip and gathered her things to leave, I realized something unsettling. The coffee wasn't the reason Layla came over. She came to ask the question. To question her real interests within her relationship? And now that I have spoken my truth... She can't pretend to not hear it.