Chapter Text
“And… Cut!” Alexei’s voice echoed. “'Project Sentry' is officially wrapped! I want to thank everyone on the team. Our talented actors—” he began clapping, quickly joined by everyone else, “—and our incredible crew, who made all of our jobs so much easier.”
Yelena looked around as she clapped, feeling Ava’s arm draped over her shoulders. It was the first time they’d worked together since that old commercial years ago, and having her friend by her side through this whole project had been incredible. She slipped her own arm around Ava, watching the director finish his speech.
“That said—team dinner tonight at the hotel restaurant. Studio’s covering the bill. I guess that’s how much they trust us.” The joke made the crew laugh.
At that moment, her eyes found Bob’s across the room. He was standing next to Sam, who said something to him, but he didn’t seem to hear. His gaze was already fixed on her.
Yelena raised her brows, mouthing silently, “What?”
Bob only shrugged before Alexei pulled him into one of the personal speeches he seemed determined to give everyone.
“You know, I think this is the first time I’ve been genuinely sad to see a project end,” Ava said, turning toward her.
“I thought someone was missing home… and a certain boyfriend.” Yelena poked her friend’s side, earning a smile. “Already tired of him? Should we go back to our ‘single forever’ pact?”
“Of course not! How about we start with the pact of being two successful women madly in love with men who are crazy about us, hmm? Don’t forget—I’m going to be little Lena’s godmother, and you—”
“No! I’m not being godmother to any little John. One John is more than enough.”
“You’re rejecting my child?” Ava frowned.
“I didn’t know you were pregnant, Ava.” Bob’s voice came closer as his footsteps approached.
“She’s not. My friend just takes things way too literally. Don’t mind her.”
Ava arched a brow, glancing between Yelena and Bob with a mischievous glint that Yelena did not appreciate.
“Apparently, yeah. But I do still want both of you as godparents at my wedding. Hopefully, by then you’ll have figured your rel—”
Yelena slapped a hand over her friend’s mouth and tugged her down slightly.
“Shut up,” she hissed. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, hmm? You’ve only been dating John for a few months.”
“But when it’s real, you know. You know what I mean, Yelena.”
The comment drew Bob’s attention squarely back to her.
“Oh. I… I didn’t know you were seeing someone, Yelena.”
“No, I—”
“Don’t be shy, Lena. We’re all friends here, right?”
Bob’s eyes hadn’t left her since the question was asked.
“It’s fine, Ava. I don’t want to intrude.” His hands slipped into the pockets of the costume he was still wearing—a clear sign to Yelena that he was uncomfortable. She was about to set the record straight, but Bob was quicker. “I should go.”
“Why? I thought you wanted to say something.”
He stopped just short of turning away completely, glancing between them.
“It’s nothing.” His lips pressed into a faint, forced smile. “See you at dinner.”
“Sure.” Her shoulders tensed more and more as he walked away. “What the hell was that? You made it sound like I’m hiding some secret affair.”
“And what’s wrong with that? You two needed a wake-up call. I’m tired of watching you tiptoe around each other and pretending it’s just friendship.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She crossed her arms. “We are friends.”
“I know.” Ava grabbed her by both arms, making sure she had her full attention. “But everyone can see it’s more than that. Friends don’t look at each other the way you two do, Yelena.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She pulled back slowly. “I need to change.”
“Fine. But if I were you, I’d figure out what’s going on between you and Bob before it’s too late. This might be your last chance. Think about it.”
Yelena nodded, pretending her words hadn’t just cracked something inside her at the mere possibility.
“I will.” She squeezed her friend’s hand and offered a faint smile. “See you at dinner.”
Ava nodded and let her go. After weeks of watching something quietly grow between those two, this was the only push she could give. She just hoped they’d sort it out before it really was too late.
*
Just a few steps from the restaurant entrance, Robert Reynolds replayed the brief exchange with Yelena and Ava, remembering how his heart had nearly stopped when she didn’t answer his question. Her silence had echoed in his ears the rest of the afternoon, and even now, hours later, he had no idea how he was supposed to look at her the same way again.
Not that there was anything between them. No. They were just good friends. So… why hadn’t she said anything?
“Wondering if it’s worth going in there or not?” Her voice cut through his thoughts, and he turned instantly toward her. “I know they’re loud, but it’s just for one night. You’re not going to make me walk in there alone, are you?”
“No.” He smiled. “Of course not.”
“Then let’s go.” She looped her arm through his, smiling, completely unaware of what that simple gesture did to his weathered heart. “You don’t have to stay late. Just give me a sign if you want to sneak out early.”
“Deal. How about a kick under the table? Discreet enough?”
“I think so. And I’ll answer with a pinch, like this.” She squeezed his side.
“Ow! You’re cruel.”
“You’re the one who suggested kicking me.” She nudged him as they walked toward the table.
“Only a light one.” He nudged her back, then greeted the group with a smile. “Evening, everyone.”
They made their way to the only two empty chairs—side by side—and Bob pulled out a chair for Yelena. She caught the knowing look and smirk on Ava’s lips as she noticed the gesture, even though it wasn’t anything Bob hadn’t done before. He was always the gentleman.
“Finally!” Alexei threw his arms around their shoulders. “Now we can really get started.”
And suddenly there were glasses filled in front of them, laughter bubbling all around, and chatter for anyone willing to listen. The noise in the room matched the storm in Yelena’s mind.
When she’d spotted Bob near the entrance, she’d thought it would be easier to talk to him, to open up. They’d talked about so many things before—things that had connected them in a way she couldn’t explain. But the possibility of running straight into a locked door scared her too much, even after a little liquid courage. So she put it off, forcing polite laughter at Sam’s stories and Ava’s exaggerated jokes. But underneath, she was miles away.
Yelena toyed with the napkin between her fingers, unable to look at him directly. Bob, meanwhile, seemed restless, his foot tapping lightly against the floor, his gaze fixed on a glass of wine he’d barely touched.
“Will you miss this?” she finally asked, her voice low enough for only him to hear.
He chuckled softly, eyes flicking to his water glass.
“What, Alexei telling the same story three times in one night?”
She smiled faintly but couldn’t hide the lump in her throat.
“No.” Her voice was almost a whisper. “Us.”
The word hung between them—too heavy, too real. He turned slowly, as if afraid to face the answer he already knew.
“I was trying not to think about that,” he admitted, voice rough. “I don’t think I’ve ever gotten this close to castmates before. Especially you. If I had to pick the best thing this job gave me, it’d be our friendship.”
The word landed like a stone on the table. Friendship. Yelena swallowed hard, looking away, forcing a laugh that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Yeah… of course. Me too.” She downed the rest of her glass in one gulp.
The silence between them was quickly swallowed by the hum of everyone else’s conversations, but Bob noticed her chair inching back, the subtle way she pulled into herself, as if closing a door.
When Yelena stood a little later, saying she needed some air, Bob sat frozen for a moment, watching her retreat, his heart pounding too fast. And worse, he had the undeniable feeling that he had to do something before it was too late.
So, without another thought, he followed her.
*
The hotel corridor was silent when he finally gathered the courage to approach her room. The only sounds were the steady thump of his knuckles against the door and the wild rhythm of his heart, terrified she might not answer.
But she did. And he couldn’t miss the way her eyes shone a little too much compared to when she’d walked out of the restaurant.
“What is it?” she asked, surprised, though she tried to sound indifferent.
He hesitated.
“I just… I didn’t want this to be how we ended the night.”
“Ended what way?” Yelena folded her arms across her chest, defensive.
“With a misunderstanding.” His gaze dropped before he went on. “So I wanted to apologize—for anything I might’ve said that upset you.”
Yelena sighed, her arms falling loosely to her sides.
“No, Bob, you didn’t say or do anything wrong. I’m the one who messed it up, okay?” His brow furrowed, those lost-puppy eyes fixed on her. “I thought I could walk in there and just… admit I wanted to be more than your friend. And somehow, you’d feel the same. So don’t blame yourself. I’ll get over it. And I wasn’t lying when I agreed with you about our friendship.”
“Except I wasn’t honest.” He took a step closer. “I only said that because I didn’t want to complicate things… with you. And with the person you’re seeing.”
She let out another sigh.
“I’m not seeing anyone.”
“You’re not? But earlier Ava—”
“Ava’s an idiot who made that up just to corner us. And it worked, because I was so shocked I couldn’t even form a sentence to deny it. Honestly, I can’t even remember the last time I went on a date. I can’t even remember the last time I fell for someone.”
“Really?” He couldn’t keep the smile from tugging at his lips when she nodded. “Good. Because it’s been a long time for me too. And I… I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way about anyone.” Her heart lurched in her chest as he went on, voice barely above a whisper. “Remember that scene, when you shoved me against the wall?”
“Of course I do.”
“I can’t believe I’m admitting this but… I nearly ruined everything.” His eyes locked with hers. “I almost kissed you right there, in front of everyone. I had to fight it with everything in me. I was terrified I was blushing because then I’d have no excuse, and that would’ve been humiliating.”
Yelena laughed nervously, though her eyes were burning with something deeper.
“You’re lying.”
“I swear I’m not.”
“I thought it was just me. I’m almost sure that’s when I realized this wasn’t just friendship.”
For a moment, they were both quiet, their laughter soft, almost disbelieving—months of uncertainty finally dissolving. Then Bob touched her hand, and Yelena didn’t pull away.
Instead, she tugged him inside, pressing him back against the closed door—closer now than they had ever been, even during filming. Her hands fisted in his shirt, shrinking the impossible distance between them. He cupped her face, and this time, there was nothing in the world that could stop him.
And when the kiss finally came—urgent and sweet all at once—they both understood, without a single word, that nothing would ever go back to the way it was.