isn't it? [taylor swift]

chapter 54

None of their friends had a single idea what had happened between them in April and May to suddenly cause their rebuilding friendship to flicker back to awkward silences and forced civility at events.

They wouldn't talk about it.

They'd pose at award shows, smile in photos with their friends and move on like nothing had ever happened between them in public. In private, it was like they'd never reconnected. The last texts in their conversation were those unanswered messages from Taylor.

The summer heat shimmered over New York, turning the city into a concrete furnace. Leia's apartment offered little reprieve despite the cranked air conditioning, which hummed continuously as she paced across her living room. Three months had passed since the Brits – three months of carefully orchestrated public appearances where she and Taylor maintained the facade of distant acquaintances, their real story buried beneath practiced smiles and polite nods.

Leia's phone buzzed on the coffee table. Georgie's name flashed on the screen, accompanied by a text that made her groan.

Dinner at 8. No excuses. Cara's in town. Gigi confirmed. Dress cute but casual.

She knew what Georgie was doing – trying to normalize their friend group again, to heal the fracture that had appeared after London. What Georgie didn't know was how impossible that felt. How could she sit across from Taylor and make small talk when the memory of that night still burned so vividly?

Can't tonight. Studio session with Jack.

Leia typed back, the lie slipping easily from her fingers.

Georgie's response was immediate.

Nice try. Jack already confirmed he's coming too, so that's a lie. Car's picking you up at 7:30.

The hours ticked by too quickly. Before she knew it, Leia was sliding into the back of a sleek town car, dressed in high-waisted jeans and a silky emerald top that Georgie had once said brought out the gold flecks in her eyes.

Her hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, and she'd kept her makeup minimal – just enough to hide the shadows under her eyes that spoke of restless nights spent writing songs she'd never release.

She'd been in the studio a lot recently. Jack loved the inspiration that was pouring from her, her label execs loved the fact that she was finally about to start thinking about a sophomore album, and Georgie was absolutely terrified of what had happened between her and Taylor to have caused this sudden change in attitude.

The car pulled up to a small, exclusive restaurant in the West Village. Its unmarked entrance and discreet security were telltale signs of a celebrity haven. Leia took a deep breath before stepping out, steeling herself for the evening ahead.

She smiled at the paparazzi, waved gently and moved inside without little else to it. It was second nature.

Inside, the space was warm and intimate – exposed brick walls, soft lighting, and tables spaced far enough apart to allow for private conversation. Georgie waved from a corner booth, her ginger hair instantly recognisable. Beside her sat Cara, animated as ever, and Gigi, who offered Leia a gentle smile as she approached.

And across from them – empty space. Two empty seats.

"Am I early?" Leia asked, sliding in beside Gigi, relief washing over her.

"Taylor and Jack are running late," Georgie explained, confirming Leia's unspoken question with a sly smile on her lips. "Some last-minute song writing session."

So that's how Georgie knew she wasn't recording.

Leia's heart sank. She shot her sister a look that could have frozen the East River, but Georgie merely raised her eyebrows innocently and took a sip of her sparkling water.