However long it took, here is the next part of this little tale. I hope quarantine life is treating you well and I (fingers crossed) manage to write a little more, now that working hours have been reduced... Enjoy.

As verbs the difference between change and adapt is
that change is to become something different
while adapt is to make suitable; to make to correspond; to fit or suit; to proportion.

After her coffee with Maxine Shelby drove back to her place. She hoped to be alone would help clear her mind and she could find a way out of the corner she put herself in. But for now, she couldn't see a way out. I just must convince Caleb to play along until Max and Clay can sort out their relationship.

Alex and Ryan are planning on coming over for a movie later and so Shelby starts prepping snacks and drinks for her friends. When the doorbell sounds, she rushes there: "Come on in, you are early, but I am almost ready."

"I didn't know you were expecting me, but hey at least I am not going to starve if Clay murders the pizza."

Shelby rolls her eyes exasperated at Caleb, "What are you doing here?"

"For one I just dropped Maxine of at her office and I thought you owed me more of an explanation, sweetie." You could hear the sarcasm in his intonation of sweetie. "And whoever you are expecting, consider it training or payback, whichever works best." Caleb finishes while walking past her inside.

Caleb hears a short laugh behind him "That will be as much torture for you as it will be for me. Alex and Ryan are coming over!". His eyes must've become saucers because Shelby breaks out in almost uncontrollable giggles. "Come on, we don't have to play a couple. We are friends after all and that is no news for them." Caleb manages to get out and Shelby aggress with a nod. "You can help me finish setting up. We kind of need another plate since you will be joining us."

When Alex and Ryan show up Caleb opens the door and the question marks are almost visible in the room. The unexpected guest makes the decision the fill in their friends on the current story. Shelby is taken back but soon realizes that their story will hold up better if there are more people supporting it.

"Has Clay questioned the story yet?" Alex asks after Shelby has told them a short version of her conversation with Maxine and Caleb mentioned she showed up at his place. "nope, not openly at least. But I am almost a hundred percent he was listing in on my conversation with Maxine." Caleb offers up and, in his head, he adds that it is curious Clay hasn't tried to ask. "And he saw us after the engagement party…" Shelby tries her hand at an explanation but the four of them know it is only a question of time and opportunity until Clay will ask. And he won't be asking Caleb.

"There is just one thing I don't get, Shelby. Why did you even let him get that close to you? Do you have feelings for him?" Alex asks finally, after having contemplated the implications.

Shelby can feel three pairs of eyes on her while she tries to find an honest answer to that loaded question.