The Dumping Truce.

(KAIRA'S POV)

The moment Shelly walked in, the energy in the room shifted. It was like someone had turned down the temperature by ten degrees.

I watched her scan the room, her eyes landing on me with laser precision. That smile never wavered, but I could see the tension in her jaw. The way her fingers gripped her designer clutch a little too tightly.

"Hey everyone!" She chirped, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Sorry I'm late. Had to... freshen up."

"Fashionably late as always, Shelly." Germaine said, but there was something sharp in his tone.

Shelly's eyes flicked to him briefly before returning to me. "Kaira. You survived the pool, I see."

Her words were light. Playful. But I heard the barb underneath. You survived.

I straightened my spine. "I did. Thanks for asking."

Her smile tightened. "Good. Wouldn't want anything to happen to you on your first night out with us."

The threat was barely concealed. Everyone felt it.

"Okay!" Jackie clapped her hands loudly, breaking the tension. "Dumplings! Who's making dumplings?"

"I am!" I said, grateful for the distraction. "Matthew's teaching me."

"Oh, Matthew's teaching you." Shelly's voice was silky. "How sweet. You're already making friends. That's so... cute."

"Kitchen's that way." Matthew pointed, ignoring Shelly completely. "I'll grab the flour."

I followed him, relieved to escape the spotlight. But I could feel Shelly's eyes on my back the entire way.

The kitchen was a welcome haven. Warm. Bright. Smelling of garlic and ginger.

Matthew was already pulling ingredients from the fridge, his movements practiced and easy.

"So." He said, not looking up. "You've met Shelly."

"Unfortunately."

He laughed. "Yeah. She's a lot."

"That's one word for it."

"Here." He slid a bowl of flour toward me. "We're making pork and chive dumplings. My grandmother's recipe."

"Your grandmother?"

"She taught me when I was six. Only thing I'm good at." He grinned. "Besides football, obviously."

I laughed, genuinely this time. "I'm sure you're good at more than that."

"You'd be surprised."

Twenty minutes later, my hands were covered in flour and I had a genuine smile on my face. Matthew was easy to be around. No agenda. No games. Just dumplings and conversation.

"Okay, pinch the edges like this." He demonstrated, his fingers moving with practiced precision. "And then... fold."

I copied his movements, my tongue poking out in concentration.

"Not bad." He said, examining my work. "You're a natural."

"I've been cooking my whole life. My mom taught me."

"Ah, so you're a chef too."

"Not a chef. Just... I like feeding people. It makes me happy."

He studied me for a moment. "That's really nice, Kaira."

I shrugged, feeling suddenly shy. "It's not that deep."

"It is." He said softly. "Not everyone cares about making other people happy."

The sound of footsteps interrupted the moment.

I looked up to find Slade standing in the doorway, his face unreadable.

"Matthew." His voice was flat. "We need you."

Matthew glanced at me, then back at Slade. "Right now? I'm kind of in the middle of—"

"Yes. Now."

There was something in Slade's tone that made Matthew pause. He wiped his hands on a towel and stood.

"I'll be right back, Kaira. Don't eat all the filling."

He squeezed my shoulder before following Slade out.

I watched them disappear, a strange feeling settling in my chest. Slade hadn't even looked at me.

"Kaira!"

I turned to find Jackie in the doorway, her face flushed with excitement. "You have to come see this. Trent and Jared are doing shots off each other's abs."

I laughed. "That sounds horrifying."

"Horrifyingly entertaining. Get in here!"

I hesitated. The kitchen had felt safe. But I knew I couldn't hide forever.

"Coming."

The living room had transformed while I was gone. The furniture had been pushed against the walls. A group of people were gathered around the coffee table, cheering as Trent tipped his head back and someone poured something into his mouth.

Germaine caught my eye and waved me over. "Kaira! Come sit. You're missing the chaos."

I made my way to him, squeezing between two girls I didn't know. "What did I miss?"

"Trent just lost a bet. Had to do three shots in under thirty seconds."

"That seems manageable."

"Those were pepper-infused tequila shots."

I winced. "Oh."

"Exactly." Germaine grinned. "This is the best night we've had in weeks. And it's all thanks to you."

"Me?"

"You're the reason Slade showed up. He never comes to these things."

I glanced around, looking for him. "Where is he?"

Germaine's expression flickered. "He went outside. With Shelly."

My stomach tightened. "Oh."

"Probably just talking." Germaine said quickly. "They used to date. You know how it is."

"Right. Of course." I forced a smile.