Her best friend sits across from her. Concern, puzzlement, and worry flood her face as Rose understands why Rey's been so quiet at their weekly get together.
"I'm sure Ben knows as well. He probably got the bill same as you since everything's electronic now. But how could your rent have gone up $200?" Rose asks.
"Something about required maintenance to the building. At first I thought it was for health and safety reasons. But no…it's for a pool," Rey replies with a groan.
She places her elbows on the table and leans forward until her hands cover her face. A series of deep breaths follow as her mind races with anxiety.
"You know there are ways around this," Rose says in a comforting tone.
Her hand reaches across the table and gently places it on top of Rey's. Of course this is terrible and Rose can't help feeling powerless before her friend.
"I can't take up another job and neither can Ben. We're both in full-time jobs with very little wiggle room," Rey says, calming down a bit from Rose's given comfort.
"There is always…no, nevermind," Rose cuts herself off.
Rey peeks through her fingers and slowly lifts her head up. She looks at Rose with a raised eyebrow. If there's anything to help the rent situation for her and Ben, she's all ears.
"What? What is it?" Rey asks, trying not to sound too desperate.
"Well…it's…it's dumb. Dumb and stupid. It could get in the way of you two," Rose stammers.
"Just tell me, Rose. Any advice or suggestions are welcome," she replies with a small smile.
"Now, I don't want you to get crazy on me, especially since you haven't had these kinds of experiences before. But…I've heard people make really good money on…OnlyFans," Rose reveals at last.
There is silence between them as Rey takes in Rose's suggestion. Her heart starts racing and she swallows.
"But, but Rose…isn't this a site for…s-e-x?" Rey whispers.
"Not only sex, Rey. You can say it out loud. No one's listening to us anyways. OnlyFans is for all sorts of content creators. I made one years ago to try starting my flower arranging business. Didn't get many hits or make much money, but it did get my name out there for the business I have now. So there are other venues. But sexual accounts do tend to get more money," Rose explains.
More silence follows. Rey sits back in her chair and stares at the condensation on her iced tea. Rose retracts her hand and looks on, her face more worried than before.
"Just forget it, Rey. I told you it's stupid. It's not worth jeopardizing your relationship with Ben. Forget I mentioned it," she says hurriedly.
Rey reaches across and grabs Rose's hand gently. Her thumb brushes across the back as she smiles at Rose.
"Don't apologize. You were just trying to help. It means a lot," she says softly.
Rose smiles back and holds Rey's hand, giving it a squeeze. Her eyes search Rey's face and she sees a curiosity in her friend's eyes.
"What are you thinking, Rey?" she asks.
"I'm thinking…how lucky I am to have you as my friend. And…I now know how Ben and I can pay rent," Rey replies with a grin.
Her grin falls a bit when she thinks deeper about this choice she's making. She looks back at Rose with worry.
"What if he says…no?" Rey asks quietly.
Rose huffs and grabs Rey's other hand. She holds both of Rey's hands and gives them a shake. Her lips hold a confident, knowing smile.
"I don't think there's a reason he would say no," Rose replies.
"How do you know for sure? How can you know? Ben means so much to me," Rey explains.
"I know how he looks at you. He may not think people can't see it, but I do. I see it. I've never been so sure of something EVER in my life than this," Rose says with confidence.
Rey ponders for a moment. Over the years of spending time with him, she always wished the way he looked at her was something more. She never asked and didn't want to for fear of losing him entirely. Ben Solo is her best friend and the person she wants to see at the beginning and ending of each day, even in the middle too. Looking at Rose and letting her words sink in, Rey takes a deep breath and squeezes Rose's hands.
"I'll tell him tonight," Rey says.