Page 98 of None Of Your Business

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Madison ultimately lands on a muted blush pink with a flowing A-line skirt and a flattering neckline. To everyone’s shock—including our own—Piper and I don’t hate it.

To celebrate not murdering each other in the bridal salon, we head two doors down to a cozy, sunlit bistro for lunch.

“I think we deserve champagne,” Madison announces, sliding into the leather booth and immediately taking charge of the table. “I survived delegating, and you two survived my vision.”

“You didn’t delegate, you took hostage,” Piper mutters. “But the dress is gorgeous, so you get a pass.”

We order our food and three glasses of prosecco.

It feels blissfully normal.

“So, what’s Beckett doing today?” I ask, mostly to make conversation.

“Suit fitting,” Madison says. “He’s there with Noah and Hudson right now.”

The second Hudson’s name leaves her mouth, my treacherous body betrays me. A hot wave of blood surges straight up my neck, flooding my cheeks with an undeniable blush.

Piper catches it instantly. Her eyes go wide as saucers. “Oh. My. God.”

Madison gasps, leaning across the small table so fast she nearly knocks over her prosecco. “Rowan Callahan, you just turned the color of my bridesmaid dresses. Why did you blush when I said Hudson’s name?”

“I didn’t blush.”

“You’re smiling,” Piper says, horrified.

“I’m not smiling. It’s a resting expression.”

“Your resting expression is bitch face, not whatever the hell is happening right now.”

I reach for the bread like that might save me, but Piper’s imagination has run wild.

“You are having mind-blowing sex.”

“What the fuck, Piper?”

“I said it out loud. I’m sorry. It just came out—”

Madison’s body turns toward me like a satellite dish locking onto a signal. “You’re having mind-blowing sex?”

At least four people at nearby tables turn around to stare at us. The woman two booths over actually drops her soup spoon.

“Hush!” I hiss, my face burning so hot I’m pretty sure I’m about to spontaneously combust.

“No,” Piper backtracks, panicked. “No, I thought—she had a head wound, and I assumed—”

“Piper. Shut. Up.”

“Hudson gave you a head wound from sex?” Madison has both hands flat on the table like she’s bracing for liftoff. “Oh my God.”

I knew that lie would come back to bite me one day. I didn’t expect it to happen over salad.

“Nobody gave anybody a head wound from sex. I fell. Hudson happened to be there. That’s it.”

Madison narrows her eyes, already circling. “How was he there?”

“I don’t know. The man appears out of nowhere. It’s unsettling.”