LOGINThe moment we got home, an idea entered my head and refused to leave.Ten minutes later, I was in Dad’s office typing up a full contract. By the time the printer finished spitting out the last copy, I felt oddly proud of myself.I marched straight to Jason’s room with the papers in my hand. His suitcase was already sitting by the bed, fully packed. I handed him one copy.He skimmed the first page, then slowly looked up at me. “A contract? Really?”“Yes.”A grin spread across his face as he kept reading. “Okay… this is brilliant.”“I know. I’m a genius.”Not long after that, Jason and I summoned our parents to the sitting room.Dad walked in first, already suspicious. Mom came in after him, still looking far too relaxed for someone who had almost caused emotional damage in this family a few hours ago.Dad looked between us. “Why do I suddenly feel like I’m about to be interrogated?”Jason pointed at the couch. “Sit down first.”I cleared my throat and handed both of them a copy. “First
I didn’t tell Adrian the reason for my sudden visit.Somehow, we ended up in his bedroom, lying naked on his bed, talking about random things like nothing else existed.Then Logan called. I ignored it the first time, but when he tried again, I picked up. I didn’t want him panicking and calling my dad, and Adrian was already watching me.I forced my voice into that same soft, tired tone. “Hey.”“I just wanted to check on you,” Logan said.“I’ll be fine,” I replied. “I just want to sleep.”We said goodnight and ended the call, but Adrian didn’t look away. His eyes stayed on me like he already knew there was more.I let out a quiet breath. “That was Logan.”“And?”I finally told him everything that brought me here. When I finished, he remained silent, staring at the ceiling like I hadn’t said anything at all. For some reason, that bothered me more than if he had argued.Then his phone rang, breaking the silence. He glanced at the screen, took his time, then picked up.“I asked for two we
When I got to the office, I was surprised to see Logan there.Jason noticed me first. I mouthed, What is he doing here?His response was a smirk.Dad looked up. “Princess, good. You’re here.”Logan turned and smiled. “Hi.”“Hi,” I replied, taking a seat.Then Dad dropped it.“Logan came to ask for my permission to take you out on a date.”I turned to Logan. “You didn’t.”He smiled wider. “I did.”Dad continued, completely calm. “I assume you’re already acquainted, so that makes things easier. I’ve given him my permission. What happens after that is between the two of you. I won’t interfere.”Logan nodded. “That’s more than enough, sir. Thank you.”He stood to leave, then paused. “Can I have your number?”I sucked in a breath, knowing I’d been cornered. I gave it to him, and he smiled before walking out.I turned back to Dad immediately. “Why would you agree to that? Aren’t you the one who said I shouldn’t be entertaining suitors until I’m twenty-five?”He gave me a look. “So now you a
Aunt Sophia was still keeping malice with me.She refused to speak to me, claiming I betrayed her over “some outsider who sings.” The funny part was, she had already made up with Uncle Mason.I tried getting Dad to help me talk to her, but he shut it down immediately.“I’m not getting involved,” he said. “You’ll drag me in to make peace, then the moment you reconcile, I’ll be the one looking like the problem. I’m staying out of it.”Mom wasn’t any better.“You should have thought about it before choosing that ticket,” she said, not even letting me explain.Even Uncle Mason, the same man I helped, refused to back me up.“I just got out of the doghouse. I’m not going back in because of you.”I scoffed. “Next time, don’t call me.”He laughed. “I’ll just make it impossible for you to say no next time.”If I went over to Aunt Sophia’s place, she wouldn’t talk to me. She’d just sulk and throw passive comments like, “It’s always your family.”It was dramatic. Completely unnecessary. But it w
After spending some time with Adrian, he decided to drop me off.He parked a little distance from the house because I didn’t want Dad or Mom spotting us in case they were already back.I told him goodnight and reached for the door, but he caught my wrist lightly. “That’s it?” he asked.I glanced back at him. “What do you mean?”He tilted his head. “You’re missing something.”I already knew what he meant. I rolled my eyes but leaned in. “You’re doing too much,” I muttered before pressing my lips to his.He didn’t let it stay simple. His hand came up, pulling me closer as he deepened the kiss.A sharp tap on the glass made me jerk back. I turned and saw Aunt Sophia standing there with a small, knowing smile. “Oh my God,” I whispered under my breath.“Who’s that?” Adrian asked.“My aunt.”He straightened immediately and wound down the window.“Aunt Sophia, please… not now,” I pleaded, already embarrassed.She ignored me completely and looked straight at Adrian. “You must be Adrian.”He n
Jason and I tell each other almost everything. Maybe because it’s just the two of us.So I told him about Adrian. How it started, how it went wrong, and where we were now. When I finished, he went quiet.Then he smiled. “You never miss a chance to get into trouble.”I frowned. “Did you even listen? I didn’t know who he was at the start.”Jason shrugged. “Still doesn’t change the outcome.”I rolled my eyes. He leaned back, amused. “The relationship coach with relationship problems. Interesting.”“Jason,” I warned.He ignored me. “I’m the fake boyfriend. You’re the two-weeks girlfriend. We’re doing great.”“Jason, stop it,” I groaned.He chuckled, then his expression shifted as his gaze moved past me for a second before returning. “Why did it have to be a Valecrest?” he asked.I sighed. “I know. It’s messy. But I guess life doesn’t care how complicated things get.”He studied me. “Do you really love him?”I hesitated. “It doesn’t matter. We’re ending things anyway.”Jason didn’t push it
For once, I wasn’t rushing to pack, unpack, survive a heartbreak, or fight my feelings. I was just… existing. A little tired, a little bruised, but undeniably home.After graduation, I took a breath. Then another. My mom cleared her schedule just to spend more time with me. She pushed back her job
I didn’t drive home. I couldn’t.Not after what I saw. Not after the way Liam looked at me. The panic in his eyes, the guilt etched in his features, as if realizing too late that I’d just watched him kiss another woman. Or maybe she kissed him. It didn’t matter.The damage was done.I couldn’t go h
Days passed. Then more days. And still, nothing.Not a call. Not a message. Not even one of Liam’s usual snarky texts to lighten the mood.After that one angry text he sent the night I had dinner with Kelvin, and my reply that I was just glad he was alive, he vanished. Poof. Like he’d been erased f
The grin on Liam's face didn’t fade the entire morning. It stretched from cheek to cheek like he’d won some silent victory, and even as we sat at the breakfast table, he kept flashing me smug little looks over his coffee mug."You know that look is annoying, right?" I said, reaching for my phone be







