Finn came to visit her after work the first day that Kylo was gone. Poe had no doubt ratted on her for moping around, that traitor. She wasn't trying to be down but not having Kylo to look forward to at the end of her shift definitely sucked.

She hadn't gotten a chance to tell Finn about BB yet so he got a nice fluffy orange surprise when he walked through the door.

"What the hell is that?" he exclaimed as BB popped his head out from behind the couch, eyes wide at the sight of a new person in her apartment.

"He's a cat, obviously." Rey crossed her arms. "Why do people keep asking me that?"

Finn ignored her, studying BB. "Isn't that the cat we took to the clinic after you were attacked?"

"Yes. I adopted him."

He looked at her incredulously. "You adopted a cat? Why?"

Rey scowled at him. He acting like her getting a pet was the craziest thing he'd ever heard. "Well technically, Kylo adopted him for me. But I wanted him! He's sweet and brave and needed a home."

Finn made a face. "Isn't it a bit early for you guys to be adopting pets together? Next, you're going to tell me you're moving in with him."

Rolling her eyes, she went and sat on the couch, pulling BB into her lap where he immediately started purring. She and Kylo already spent so much time together, it felt like they were living together sometimes. Finn didn't need to know that though.

"We didn't adopt him together. He was a gift. A very sweet, thoughtful gift."

He joined her, petting BB softly.

"I've never seen you this into a guy before," he said thoughtfully. "You must really like Kylo."

"I do." She responded without hesitation. "I'm sorry we haven't made time to do something with you and Poe, we've been... busy."

Rey felt her face color. By busy, she meant having great sex every chance they got and generally avoiding the world when they had free time. It had been working out great for them so far but she had definitely been neglecting her friends. While she felt bad, it was hard to pick them over a day in bed with Kylo. No one could really fault her for that.

"I've heard," he said in an amused tone.

Oh god.

The morning after she and Kylo took advantage of being alone in the cafe, Rey came in to find Poe standing there with a disapproving look on his face and a pile of her shirt buttons in his hand. They had completely missed them in their cleanup and Poe made it very clear he knew just what they'd been up to.

It had taken her all day to be able to look at him and he had gone and told Finn. Bastard.

And for the record, she completely blamed Kylo for ripping her shirt open in the first place. Impatient man, now she had to suffer the repercussions.

"Don't judge me," she sniffed, refusing to be embarrassed. "It's not my fault I'm getting laid when you aren't."

Finn grimaced. Poe had told her that their dating had been fairly stagnant, that Finn seemed reluctant to commit. It was hard having your two best friends date, and knowing you could help fix the conflict but needing to let them work it out.

"Wanna talk about it?" she asked kindly.

He sighed, keeping his eyes fixed on BB. "Poe is great, he's the most amazing person I've dated by far..."

"But?" she prompted.

"But, that's the problem. He's so outgoing and confident, I can see him getting bored with me anytime. He wants excitement and adventure and I'm not either of those things." He looked away dejectedly.

"How do you know that's what Poe wants? You're just psyching yourself out because you think he's too good for you."

Finn looked surprised by her answer. But Rey knew him and had seen over the years how much he struggled. They were similar in the way that when something good came along, they expected the worst. He could set aside his issues to help others but never when it came to himself.

"Maybe," she continued, "you should realize that Poe is an adult and can make his own decisions. He seems really into you. Do you really want to ruin this before it even gets a chance to be something? At least if you try and it ends up not working out, you know you did your best."

Finn gave her a strange look. "When did you get so wise when it comes to dating advice?"

"After the giant learning curve that was getting Kylo to date me," she said dryly and he laughed.

His face turned serious after a second though. "It was worth it for you though? I know how upset you've been over the past few weeks because of him. And what if after all that, things hadn't worked out?"

Rey considered his questions, wanting to give an honest answer. She folded her feet under her while she thought and BB got up with a dirty look, going to curl up against Finn, who looked pleasantly surprised.

"There was a point when I thought he wasn't going to pick me," she admitted. "I was honest with him about my feelings and left the choice up to him. It was beyond difficult to put that in someone else's hands but it had to be that way. And if he decided he didn't want to be with me, I would have known that I tried my hardest. All you can do is put your faith in someone and hope."

Finn looked away. "You've always had such a big and open heart. I'm not like you. It's not easy for me to be like that with people."

Reaching out and grabbing his hand firmly, she looked him in the eyes. "Any relationship worth having isn't going to be easy. It's hard and you work for it because you care enough to."

They sat there together in contemplative silence for a few minutes, until Rey remembered something she wanted to talk to him about. It had been in the back of her mind for the last few weeks but Kylo had distracted her so much, she'd almost forgotten.

"Not to change the subject, but..." She took a deep breath. "I've saved up all the money."

Finn immediately knew what she was talking about and he frowned, concern in his eyes.

"You're going to do it then? Go and see him?"

She bit her lip, nervous to even talk or think about it. "I think I have to. I need closure and to know that I did the right thing in the end. I can't have that hanging over my head forever."

Finn shrugged. "I'm not going to tell you not to but I don't think you should go. You don't owe him anything."

"I know I don't. I want to do it for me."

She knew he didn't understand but he respected her decision. She'd made up her mind a long time ago and he couldn't change it.

"Well I don't like the idea of you going by yourself," he said. "Let me come with you."

Rey was shaking her head before he even finished. He wouldn't be able to stand going with her, it would be too hard to keep him under control. Finn could be overemotional at the best of times, especially where she was involved. He was also overprotective to the extreme, but she loved him for it. Those two things would be a horrible combination for this situation.

"I'll be fine," she reassured him.

He gave her a look. "Are you going to ask Kylo to go with you?"

The thought had crossed her mind. But she had no idea how he would react to the situation.

"I'm not sure," she answered, shifting on the couch. "Part of me thinks it might be good for him. Like, in a healing way. And, I wouldn't mind having him with me. But-"

"But he might start throwing punches?" Finn finished for her, mouth twisting in amusement.

Rey frowned at him. "Don't sound so judgemental, that's why I'm not bringing you. You boys need to learn to control your tempers a bit."

He rolled his eyes, ignoring her comment. "If he starts hitting, tell him to throw in an extra punch for me."

Though she tried to keep a straight face, a small giggle slipped out. The thought was so absurd that she could help it and before long, she was laughing so hard, she could hardly breathe.

Finn and BB just stared at her like she was crazy.

...

As Rey was settling into bed on the third night, Kylo called her.

They had only managed to text a bit before now. Mostly him letting her know that things were going well, with the exception of Hux driving him crazy. He'd obviously been having a good time so far and keeping busy, and while she was happy for him, she missed him like a physical ache in her chest.

She missed the warm strength of his body, the shy smile that she felt was just for her. His kisses, the tentative soft ones, and the passionate demanding ones. She missed his wry humor and his calm, steady presence.

Rey picked up her phone, feeling her heart flutter in her chest at the sight of his name.

"Hey," she said, leaning back against the pillows.

"Hi," he responded, his deep voice warming her. God, she missed hearing him.

There was a moment of silence on both ends while they just savored hearing each other's voices.

"How are you?" Kylo finally asked softly. "Everything going okay? Poe is driving you home every night, right?"

If his worrying wasn't so adorable, she'd roll her eyes and tease him about sounding like a mom.

"Yes, everything is going fine, same as usual." Except a hundred times more boring without you here, she thought. "And yes, Poe is driving me home. He said something about being worried you'd pick him up and throw him across the cafe if he didn't."

He was quiet for a second. "He does realize that I'm not a Neanderthal, right?"

She let out a laugh, shifting the phone to her other ear. "Don't worry, he said it in a weird dreamy voice so I think he likes that you're big and fearsome looking. I would bet money that getting thrown across a room by a large man is a fantasy of his."

"Big and fearsome looking?" Kylo said in an amused tone, like he wasn't sure if he should laugh or take offense.

"Like a big, scowling teddy bear," Rey confirmed.

He chuckled deeply. "That might be the most inaccurate description I've ever heard."

"Oh, so sorry, am I ruining the edgy bad boy look you're going for with all that black clothing?" she teased. "I hate to tell you this, but it's not working. It just makes you look like a big, scowling teddy bear who's trying really hard to embrace his inner darkness."

"I call you up, wanting to have a nice conversation and you just want to make fun of my appearance," he complained. "You don't realize how much effort goes into looking like you aren't trying."

Rey giggled, feeling better than she had in days. She had been worried that when they finally spoke, it would be awkward. Apparently, she shouldn't have worried; they fell easily back into their light banter and she could hear the affection in his voice.

"Okay, on a serious note, how have things been? Everything going well with the publishers?" Rey questioned.

Kylo made a noise of disbelief into the phone. "Actually, yeah. Everything has been pretty good; they seem excited to publish my book and I haven't made a complete fool of myself yet, so I can't complain."

She didn't want to overdo it but she was so excited for him. "I told you you'd be fine."

"I'll never question you again," he deadpanned, making her laugh.

"But I miss you," he said, softer.

Rey could hear how wistful her sigh sounded. "Really? I haven't even noticed you left."

Kylo laughed and she smirked.

"Really? You haven't thought about me once? Not even when you're bored at work... or in bed alone?" He said it casually, obviously just teasing her, but it still sent a bolt of heat down to curl in her stomach.

"Nope," she said, popping the "p" loudly and he laughed again. They both knew she was a huge liar.

Truth was, her days had felt strangely empty since he'd left. Obviously, she had a life before Kylo came along, but he had completely taken over her days and without him, she couldn't seem to remember how things had been before. He left a hole that she couldn't seem to fill and it made her a bit nervous. She didn't know when she had become that dependent on him, but it happened all the same.

"Have you seen anything crazy in New York?" she asked. "I've never gone."

Kylo started to tell her about this little bookshop he'd found nestled away in the city, and all of the amazing food he'd gotten to try. Rey turned off her bedroom light and settled into bed. She closed her eyes, listening to his voice, and just for a second, she could pretend that he was here with her.

"It sounds like you're having a great time," she told him. Hearing the quiet enthusiasm in his voice warmed her heart.

He was quiet for a second. "I am, but I wish you were here with me. You'd love it, there are so many things to see."

Rey didn't respond, imagining having days in a huge, new city to explore with Kylo, a hotel room to come back to at the end of the day with a cushy bed to sleep together in.

"The publishers have been talking about having a launch party for the release of my book, here in New York. Obviously, it wouldn't be for a while but I'd love to bring you with me... if you wanted to come?" Kylo asked shyly, sounding uncertain.

Her heart lifted. Listening to him talk about what a great time he was having, a small part of her had been feeling bad. Not jealous or upset that he hadn't brought her, but nervous that him having a good time without her had meant something. She'd pushed the dumb, insecure thought away but hearing him say that he wanted to bring her next time... he didn't realize what that meant to her.

"I'd love to come," she said, throat feeling a little tight.

"Yeah?" He sounded so surprised that she almost laughed. They had to be the most insecure couple ever, it amazed her that they made this relationship work sometimes. Even broken things with jagged edges could fit together, if you found the right match.

"Only if you take me to eat at a bunch of new restaurants," Rey told him, only halfway teasing.

Kylo made a happy noise into the phone.

"I'll take you anywhere you want to go."

...

The next morning at the cafe, Poe immediately noticed Rey's lifted spirits when she came through the door, arching an eyebrow at the smile on her face.

"You talk with loverboy?" Poe asked, sipping on a coffee, the smell making her smile widen. Since working here, the scent of coffee had been associated with cozy days serving drinks and chatting with her friend.

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, he called last night."

"And?" Poe questioned. "Is he getting his fine ass on a plane and flying home early?"

Ha, she wished. "Unfortunately, no... But he did invite me to come with him next time."

He raised his eyebrows. "Well, well, well... he wants to whisk you away for a romantic vacation already? You have to tell me what you're doing."

Rey bit her lip. This situation with Finn and Poe was painful, she knew she had to let them work things out on their own, but it was so hard to not just shove them together and make them talk it out. Or hell, she could do the talking for them, as long as some progress was made.

She knew it would be better to leave them alone, but she didn't have it in her to not try to help though, at least a bit. Poe was there for her when things with Kylo weren't great, and when she needed support.

"Poe." She put a comforting hand on his arm. "Finn might not be great at showing it but he really likes you. He has a hard time getting past his own insecurities sometimes."

He gave her a meaningful look. "Yeah, I've been around you enough to recognize what that looks like. No offense. And I can sympathize but I also don't want to stay in a relationship if the other person isn't interested. No matter how much I like him."

Even though Finn was her best friend and like her brother, Rey couldn't tell Poe how to feel and she respected that. She understood where he was coming from.

"I'll love you no matter what happens with Finn. I want you to be happy and if he doesn't make you feel that, then you deserve better."

Poe gave her a warm smile and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, girl. I'm not giving up on him yet though."

A young woman came in and ordered a pumpkin spice chai. Rey made it quickly, handing it over with a smile.

When she turned back around, Poe was watching her with a thoughtful expression.

"What?" she questioned, feeling self-conscious.

"I just want you to know that I'm really proud of you. Being with Kylo is the happiest I've seen you and I know you really had to work for it." He put his arm around her and pulled her close. "I just think you deserve to be happy too, and it warms my heart to see you in a good place. I might tease you and Kylo but I genuinely like him and will always owe him for making you glow like this. He's a good guy."

Rey felt tears well up in her eyes. Damn him.

"I love you, girl. Even if you're banging your boyfriend in my cafe."

She choked slightly as he chuckled. He was never going to let that go.

"Way to ruin the moment."

Poe grinned devilishly. "It was getting a little too emotional up in here, I couldn't let that happen."

I want to apologize for this chapter taking so much longer than usual to post. Things have been really busy at my work so I've had almost no time to write. As a heads up, the next week or two are going to continue to be crazy (I need to look for a new apartment so I'm picking up extra shifts at work) so I'll probably be averaging a chapter a week. Thanks for the continued support, as always!