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I roll my eyes good-naturedly, grabbing a cup of coffee from the kitchen before I curl up next to my sisters.
“You did well spotting that dress for me. It made an impression, and I felt like royalty.” I grin and wink at Grace, taking a sip.
Aria turns to me, her chin propped eagerly on her hands. “You have to spill all the details! Did Jack live up to the hype? Was he charming? And what about the other guests? How were they dressed? Tell me about the food!”
One day, I will share the complicated story with Aria. For now, the dreamy version is good enough. While it's crucial to ensure her well-being, if I'm honest, I also hope that Jack will acknowledge that our relationship is more than he makes it out to be. I just wish he would realize it a bit sooner.
“Oh, he certainly did!”
Aria grabs her phone off the coffee table, her attention instantly consumed by it.
“So, spill!” Grace leans in, taking advantage of Aria’s distractedness. “Did Jack have his hands all over you, playing the smitten fiancé card? Any interesting moments?”
I stir my coffee, debating just how much to share. Taking advantage of Aria not paying attention to us, I subtly shift closer to Grace, voice lowered.
“I mean, he definitely got into the role. Had to remind myself it was all pretend. But it didn’t feel like it at all, G.”
Then I lean back and raise my voice. “I am actually headed out later to stay at Jack's place for a while.” Seeing Aria widen her eyes in surprise, I add breezily, “But I'll still be here plenty, of course!”
“Moving kinda quick though, no?” Aria asks, furrowing her brows together.
I shift subtly closer to Grace on the sofa. “Just makes sense to get some things moved over there.” I aim for a casual, convincing tone.
Grace smoothly redirects the conversation. “It looks like a whirlwind romance. It’s understandable they want to be together as much as possible.” Her playful nudge makes me flush. If only she knew how much.
“I guess so!” Oblivious, Aria picks up her phone and starts scrolling distractedly. “So, nowG will be dropping me off in the mornings, then?”
“Sure thing, baby girl,” Grace chimes in, rolling her eyes at me. “For a while longer at least, you’re stuck with me.”
I grin, reaching to squeeze Aria’s knee. “Never change, baby sis.”
Aria's scrolling stops abruptly as she starts giggling uncontrollably. “Um, Mads, I think your man went viral . . .”
She turns her phone in our direction. On screen, a video plays from last night—Jack looming intimidatingly over the starstruck man asking me to dance, possessiveness etched on his face. In the background, I spot my flushed cheeks and surprised amusement.
“Oh my God, how cringy!” I cover my face with my hands.
Aria continues cackling. “Wait, it gets better. That dude posted his fanboy reaction to finding 'Goddess MadeYaLookMaddie' at the party. These comments are gold!”
She shows us her screen again where the man stares gobsmacked into his selfie camera. I have to laugh hearing Grace and Aria screech and comment about the guy’s good looks.
“Jeez, Maddie, better get used to crazy eyes on your man if he keeps punching every fan coming your way!” Grace elbows me playfully.
“He didn’t punch him,” I joke, grinning. “It was barely a shove.” But if I’m honest, his caveman display made me tingly in all the right places.
“Mads, you gotta post your dress-up video from last night now. It’s guaranteed to get you lots of new followers,” Aria chirps.
“Did you take any other clips?” Grace interjects. “I know you did. Let us see it.”
“I might have danced a bit on the car ride there,” I laugh and scroll through my phone to show them the shots.
We're still giggling over the videos when the apartment intercom buzzes loudly. I hop up, smoothing my messy top knot.
“Yes?” I ask, poking the speaker button.
“Is this Ms. Maddie Emerson?” a male voice crackles over the line. “I'm here to help you bring your things downtown. Jack can’t make it. An unavoidable meeting came up. I’m his friend Cade.”
My eyes widen. Shoot, the time slipped away fast. I thought Jack would be stopping by and am slightly disappointed.
