Blair's POV"Delivery for Tonia Johnson," I repeated, holding up the bouquet of lilies I had bought on my way here. Sarah's eyes widened in surprise."Blair, honey, you shouldn't have," she said, her voice laced with concern."Nonsense," I countered, forcing a smile. "You deserve some sunshine after everything you've been through."Tonia had been battling cancer for the past couple of years, and Amelia and I had taken turns keeping her company and supporting her through the grueling treatment. Witnessing her strength and resilience had inspired me in ways I couldn't even describe."Blair, honey," she said, her voice laced with concern. "You look a little pale. Did you get some sleep last night?"The concern in her eyes threatened to crack the dam I'd built. I blinked rapidly, willing the traitorous tears back."Just a long night catching up on paperwork," I lied, forcing a smile.Tonia wasn't easily fooled. She narrowed her eyes, studying my face with the scrutiny of a seasoned detect

Jenna's POVA slow smile spread across Gwen's face. "Perfect! We can leverage your celebrity status for good. Imagine the headlines: 'Jenna McDonald Hosts Charity Gala for Furry Friends!' It'll be a complete PR makeover.""But what about Eddie?" Sarah chimed in, her voice laced with apprehension. "Wouldn't this just fuel the fire? People might think it's a publicity stunt to get back at him."Gwen waved a dismissive hand. "We can address that. We'll frame it as you finally moving on and focusing on something positive. Besides, if Eddie tries to pull anything after this, it'll only make him look bad."My heart was hammered with a mixture of excitement and nervousness."Alright," I said, taking a deep breath. "Let's do it. Let's turn this disaster into an opportunity."Gwen clapped her hands together, her emerald eyes sparkling with renewed energy. "That's the spirit! Now, let's get to work. We have a lot to do before that gala."Amelia's POVJust as Chloe was declaring her stuffed unic

Blair’s POVTonia’s words hung heavy in the air, like a sweet melody that lingered. The blush on my face, already a warm pink, bloomed into a fiery crimson. The frustration I harbored towards Thomas just moments ago seemed to evaporate entirely. It was like a cloud had moved away, revealing a bright, sunny sky.All I could think about was James. His eyes, the way his laugh lines crinkled at the corners when he was truly amused, the sound of his voice all played on repeat in my mind like a favorite song. Every detail about him filled me with a warmth that spread through my chest like sunshine.Her playful suggestion about a proposal sent a jolt through me.“Make sure you tell more about your date when you get back tomorrow and who knows James can surprise by proposing,” she said, grinning."C’mon, Mrs Johnson," I said, playfully swatting her arm. "Pump the brakes a sec, James and I are just getting to know each other, figuring things out. Proposal? We are not even sure about our feeli

Blair’s POVI tore open the packaging. My breath hitched as I peeked inside. Nestled amongst colorful crinkle paper lay a box of chocolates, your absolute favorite brand.A wave of delight washed over me. It wasn't the grand gesture I had initially imagined, but it was perfect in its simplicity. James had taken the time to remember my little indulgence, a thoughtful gesture that spoke volumes about his attentiveness.I pressed the phone back to my ear, a wide smile spreading across my face. "James," I began, my voice thick with emotion, "that definitely lightened my mood. Thank you so much. It's exactly what I needed."We chatted for a while longer, and he reminded me of our dinner date the next day. He mentioned needing to wrap things up at the office, so we said our goodbyes, promising to talk soon. With a spring in my step from our conversation and the delicious chocolate waiting for me, I turned to head back inside.But just as I was about to enter, a dark cloud loomed over my sun

Amelia's POVNow, the evening found us gathered around the kitchen island, a makeshift dinner table since the formal dining room felt far too vast and cavernous for the three of us.I stirred the pasta sauce simmering in a pot on the stove, the rhythmic clinking of the spoon a welcome distraction from the awkward silence between Eddie and me. Every time I caught his gaze, it felt like a jolt of electricity sparking through my veins. His eyes, usually so cool and collected, held a hint of something deeper – confusion, perhaps, or a flicker of mirroring my own turmoil.Chloe kept up a steady stream of chatter. "...and then, Sparklemane used her magic horn to defeat the grumpy troll guarding the bridge!"I smiled, stirring the pot of vegetables. Despite the heavy tension hanging between Eddie and me, Chloe's innocent world offered a welcome distraction. Every now and then, I'd steal a glance at Eddie across the kitchen. He sat at the table, scrolling through his phone, his brow furrowed