The call came just as Adeline was convincing herself she would have an early night.
She had changed into loose clothes, hair pulled back, the day finally beginning to loosen its grip on her shoulders. Her phone buzzed on the bedside table, lighting up the room with a name she hadn't seen in weeks.
"Naomi".
Adeline smiled before she even answered.
"Please tell me you're not asleep," Naomi said, her voice already halfway between laughter and panic.
"I was about to be," Adeline replied. "Why? What's wrong?"
"Okay, don't freak out," Naomi said quickly, which was never a good sign. "But I may—or may not—be stranded."
Adeline sat up. "Stranded where?"
There was a pause. Background noise filtered through the line—voices, distant music, the hum of traffic.
"At this charity mixer downtown. Long story. Short version: my ride left, my phone was on two percent an hour ago, and I really, really don't want to sleep in my car."
Adeline laughed despite herself. "You have a car."
"Yes. A car with a warning light I've been ignoring for weeks. I think it's finally punishing me."
"Of course it is."
"So," Naomi continued brightly, "if you're feeling generous and heroic and not emotionally exhausted, I could really use you."
Adeline glanced around her quiet room, the silence she'd been drowning in all evening. She didn't hesitate.
"I'll come," she said. "Send me the location."
"You're an angel. I owe you wine. Or cake. Or both."
The call ended, and Adeline was already reaching for her shoes.
Naomi was exactly where she said she'd be—standing near the entrance of a softly lit venue, heels dangling from two fingers, expression equal parts glamorous and exasperated.
"You look like trouble," Adeline said as she approached.
Naomi turned, relief flashing across her face before she grinned. "You say that like it's new information."
She pulled Adeline into a quick hug. Naomi smelled like citrus perfume and expensive regret.
"So," Adeline said, nodding toward the building behind them, "what kind of event strands a grown woman outside at night?"
"A fundraiser slash networking thing slash excuse for rich people to drink," Naomi said. "I came with a colleague who decided to leave early with someone she met. Romantic for her. Inconvenient for me."
Adeline raised an eyebrow. "And the car?"
Naomi sighed. "Won't start."
They walked toward the parking lot, Naomi chattering as she went—about the event, the speeches that went on too long, the shoes that were a terrible idea in hindsight. It felt… easy. Normal. A reminder that life existed outside her own spiraling thoughts.
When they reached the car, Naomi turned the key.
Nothing.
She tried again. Still nothing.
Naomi groaned. "I knew it. I knew ignoring that light would end like this."
Adeline leaned against the car, arms folded. "Okay. We'll call roadside assistance."
"I already did," Naomi said. "They said forty-five minutes. Minimum."
Adeline glanced at her watch. "Alright. We wait."
They sat on the curb, Naomi kicking off her heels entirely now, tucking her legs beneath her.
"Thank you for coming," she said, quieter this time.
"Of course," Adeline replied. "I needed the distraction."
Naomi turned to her, eyes sharp despite the casual tone. "That bad, huh?"
Adeline hesitated.
Naomi had always been perceptive—not intrusive, but observant. The kind of friend who noticed shifts without demanding explanations.
"It's… complicated," Adeline said finally.
Naomi smiled knowingly. "Isn't it always?"
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching people drift in and out of the building. Laughter spilled through the doors every so often, warm and careless.
"You know," Naomi said slowly, "you've been a little distant lately."
Adeline sighed. "I didn't realize it was that obvious."
"To me, yes," Naomi said gently. "But I figured you'd talk when you were ready."
Adeline stared ahead. She thought of Marshall's measured voice. Of Christopher's unknowing presence. Of the way her life felt suspended between choices she wasn't ready to name.
"I feel like I'm standing still," she admitted. "Like everything around me is moving forward, and I'm just… managing."
Naomi hummed thoughtfully. "Managing is exhausting."
Adeline laughed softly. "That's one way to put it."
A car pulled into the lot, headlights sweeping over them before parking nearby. The moment passed, but something had shifted.
"Whatever it is," Naomi said, nudging her shoulder, "you don't have to carry it alone. Even if you don't tell me everything."
Adeline turned to her, emotion rising unexpectedly. "Thank you."
Roadside assistance finally arrived, a bored-looking technician diagnosing the issue with practiced efficiency.
"Battery," he said. "It's done."
Naomi groaned. "Of course it is."
"It'll need replacing," he added. "Not tonight."
Adeline didn't even think twice. "You can stay at my place."
Naomi blinked. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Adeline said firmly. "No arguments."
Naomi smiled. "Then I officially owe you both wine and cake."
Later, curled up on opposite ends of the couch, Naomi scrolling through her phone while Adeline stared at the ceiling, the apartment felt warmer than it had in days.
"You know," Naomi said suddenly, "this might sound random, but I'm glad I got stranded."
Adeline turned her head. "You're glad your car died?"
"I'm glad it forced me to slow down," Naomi corrected. "And I'm glad I called you."
Adeline smiled softly.
For the first time in a while, the weight in her chest eased—not gone, but lighter. Life hadn't changed. The complications still waited for her.
But tonight, the world had interrupted her spiral—and she'd welcomed it.
Sometimes, that was enough.