Page 60 of Billionaire’s Game

“I never trusted Violet, what a bi—” Misha didn’t even know Violet.

I put my hands in the air and cut off Misha before she could continue. “Don’t say it. Because she’s not a you-know-what. She asked me if I would mind if she dated Magnus and I don’t. I really, really don’t. I mean, I didn’t at the time. But whatever, it’s my own fault. So all this—” I began gesturing to the three of them in costume. “Is unnecessary. I’m fine. The situation is under control, ok? It’s fine.”

“She’s in denial,” Emmaline said, shaking her head.

“I’m not in denial,” I protested.

“No. You are, but don’t worry,” Lacey said, looking at me as if she pitied me. “We’re all here for you.”

I shook my head. “Seriously guys, I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t fine. I was far from it. I wasn’t ok with Violet dating Magnus or Magnus dating Violet. I was just pretending that I was when actually it tore me up inside.

I thought being on friendly terms with Magnus would make the hurt go away, but it hadn’t. As I’d promised that day after our first Brain Pain challenge, I’d answered his call. And every day for the past week, we’d talked. Some days we talked so long, I fell asleep on the phone. We were behaving like infatuated teenagers, talking to each other until the break of dawn most evenings. It would have been romantic if it weren’t for the fact our conversations never strayed to that zone. We were strictly friends and I was careful to keep it that way. After all, Magnus was still dating Violet. I didn’t want to betray my friend even though I sort of was by having an emotional affair with the man she was dating.

But just talking to Magnus made me feel more alive than anything else. We talked about the most ridiculous subjects and I learned so much about him. We talked about aliens and pseudo-anthropology. We talked about old sci-fi TV shows and our favorite characters. For two people who’d grown up in two very different worlds, we had a lot in common. And I felt it was fate that we met. Which was silly, because I didn’t believe in fate until I’d realized I was in love with Magnus.

“You’re too good for Magnus anyway. His loss, not yours,” Lacey said suddenly.

“Really? A few weeks ago you were saying he was such a good catch.”

“I’m running on two hours of sleep most days, so just ignore everything I say.” Lacey turned to the others. “Ok. It’s time to put Operation Magnus into action.”

There were a few half-hearted cheers from Emmaline and Misha who were still trying to adjust their clothing but to no effect. The costumes were garish and there was no getting around it.

“You guys...” Lacey said, her voice dropping in warning that she was getting angry.

“What?”

“Operation Magnus,” she snapped.

“What’s Operation Magnus? I thought this was just a girls’ night out.”

“Yeah, I just wanted to eat ice cream at your place and watch Netflix uninterrupted.”

“We’re supposed to infiltrate the party, find Magnus, tell him he’s making a big mistake, and then lock Violet out of the room so Magnus and Lesli can reconcile.”

“What? That’s a terrible plan.” Misha was the abrupt one. She always spoke her mind. I think it was the tough city girl upbringing that made her that way.

Emmaline, the ever-practical friend, shook her head. “You’ve been watching too many romantic comedies.”

“What? No, I haven’t. I mean... they’re on late at night when I’m up with the baby...” She paused and said, “Oh God, look at us. You’re right. I think I saw this in a romantic comedy. I’m officially losing my mind.”

Lacey looked sadly down at her outfit.

“Yes, you’re totally losing your mind,” Misha said. “But let’s not ruin the night. Erik is home with the kids tonight so I’m making the most of it. I might actually have a few drinks.”

“Me too,” Emmaline said, finally leaving her shorts alone.

“But first ladies, I need some jeans... I can’t flash people all night. I do have some standards.”

“I have a pair of sweats in the backseat. Hold on.”

Lacey started rummaging through her backseat, tossing various baby items out of the way as she did. With much fanfare, she pulled the sweatpants from the back of her car. “Ta-da!”

“You’re the best,” Misha said, snatching them from her hands. She put them on quickly and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Nice look... It has that whole stay-at-home mom meets—”