Arrangement [H.S]

18

I sat comfortably at Alex's place, perched on her cozy couch, with a small table in front of me displaying an array of nail polish bottles in various shades and hues. We were in the midst of one of our cherished bonding rituals—nail-painting sessions. I loved these moments of simple, carefree camaraderie.

Alex, my dearest friend and an expert in all things related to nails, sat across from me, her eyes scanning the colorful spectrum of nail polish options. We were deep in the important deliberation of choosing the perfect nail color.

"Hmm, what color are you feeling today, Naomi?" Alex asked, her brows furrowing in playful concentration.

I considered my options while tapping a finger against my chin. "I was thinking something in the earthy tones, maybe a soothing brown or a muted green."

Alex chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Nah, girl, you'd rock a sultry dark red."

I couldn't help but laugh at her insistence. We often playfully debated nail colors, knowing full well that it was a delightful kind of nonsense we cherished.

"Alright, dark red it is," I conceded with a grin, reaching for the bottle Alex had already chosen. As I dipped the brush into the rich, velvety red polish, I couldn't help but appreciate these moments of simplicity, laughter, and friendship amidst the complexities of life.

As she carefully applied the dark red nail polish to my nails, Alex and I continued our conversation about our day so far.

Alex grinned, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Well, this morning, I had a few clients to work on—nail emergencies, you know. Then, I grabbed a quick bite to eat, and now, here I am, sitting with my best and most beautiful friend."

I couldn't help but laugh at her playful compliment. "Flattery will get you everywhere," I teased, making her laugh in return.

Just as our laughter subsided, the door to the living room swung open, revealing the tall, lean figure of Alex's boyfriend, Graham.

As I looked at Graham, who had just entered the room, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of fondness for him. He was the kind of guy I sincerely liked and was genuinely glad that Alex had found. In many ways, he was the perfect complement to her.

Graham and Alex were somewhat opposite in personality. While Alex was outgoing and extroverted, Graham leaned towards the introverted side. Yet, their differences seemed to balance each other out beautifully. It was evident that Graham cared deeply for Alex, and that made my heart swell with happiness for my best friend.

One thing I particularly appreciated about Graham was how he had helped me set up my online store. His technical skills and patient guidance had been invaluable, and I couldn't thank him enough for it.

But beyond his technical prowess, Graham was the kind of guy who knew not to monopolize Alex's time. He understood the importance of friendships and encouraged Alex to maintain her connections. Whenever we hung out at their place, Graham always welcomed the company, even if he didn't spend as much time with us. His calm and understanding demeanor made him a welcome presence in our lives.

In short, Graham was the type of person who made Alex happy, and that meant the world to me.

Graham's gentle gesture of kissing Alex on the forehead and then ruffling my hair with a friendly touch warmed my heart. He had always been considerate and kind, and I appreciated the easy camaraderie we had developed.

As he settled into the armchair and perused the bookshelf, his voice carried a polite tone as he directed a question my way. "How's life with your arranged husband, Naomi?"