Calliope and her friends were gathered in a cozy private booth at their favorite


    downtown bistro, the table crowded with tes of burgers, loaded fries, and all


    sorts offort food. Laughter and chatter filled the air as they dug in.


    "They didn''t follow us in here, did they?" Portia asked, ncing over her shoulder,


    her eyes narrowed with suspicion.


    "No way," Quentin replied, shaking his head. "This ce is reservation-only, and


    it''s always packed. Even if you book ahead, there''s a long wait."


    Portia scrunched up her nose, clearly unimpressed. "Thank goodness. Just


    seeing the Jewell family ruins my appetite. Why would they think Callie would ever


    help them, after everything they''ve done to her?"


    Mavis nodded emphatically. "Seriously, the Jewells are the worst."


    "Let''s not talk about them while we eat," Calliope said, brushing off the subject


    with a wave of her hand.


    She''d finallye to terms with the fact that the Jewell family had nothing to do


    with her anymore, and honestly, she didn''t care about them at all. If they wanted


    to waste their time tailing her, that was their problem, not hers.


    "Yeah, no more talk about them!" Norton chimed in, grinning as he reached for


    another slice of pizza. "Let''s just enjoy the food. Besides, aren''t we all hitting that


    auction tomorrow?"


    "Oh my gosh, yes!" Portia''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "I''ve been dying to


    check out this auction for ages. I heard there are some gorgeous antiques and


    collectibles. Maybe I''ll find something I love!"


    "If there''s something you want, I''m sure they''ll have it," Julius said with a wink.


    "What about you, Mavis? Anything you''re hoping to get?" Norton asked, turning to


    her with genuine curiosity.


    Mavis was caught off guard. She was sitting between Norton on her left and Uriah


    on her right, which made her a little uneasy. The sudden attention made her


    freeze for a second.


    "I, uh, I kinda like everything," she replied, trying to sound casual.


    "If there''s anything you really want, let me know. I''ll get it for you as a gift," Norton


    offered, his tone yful but sincere.


    Calliope had asked him to y along, and Norton was nothing if not a good sport.


    Portia arched an eyebrow,


    impressed by Norton''s performance.


    "Nortom, you''re too sweet. If Mavis


    gets something, do I get one too? Or


    is Mavis just extra special in your


    eyes?"


    Norton just shed her a sly smile, not saying a word, but the look on his face


    said plenty.


    Portia let out a dramatic "Ooooh!" and elbowed Mavis, stirring the pot.


    Uriah, sitting on Mavis''s other side, shot Norton a re, his jaw clenched tight.


    Norton stared right back. "Something wrong, Mr. Stewart? You look a little tense."


    Uriah just grumbled, clearly annoyed.


    Stuck between the two, Mavis felt more than a little awkward.


    Calliope, watching the whole scene


    unfold, felt pretty pleased with


    herself for roping Norton into this.


    Judging by Uriah''s expression, he


    was definitely jealous. He looked like


    someone had knocked over a whole


    jar of pickles.


    Meanwhile, Ss was sitting next to Calliope, doting on her. He peeled crab legs


    and offered her bites, making sure her te was always full.


    Norton nced over at Ss, suddenly inspired. He picked up a shrimp, peeled it


    with care, and ced it on Mavis''s te.


    "Mavis, try the shrimp."


    Mavis stared at him in disbelief. No


    one had ever peeled shrimp for her


    before. Usually, she was the one


    doing it, especially for Uriah, who


    always acted like it was too much


    trouble. She''d gotten used toit,


    always making sure he had what he


    wanted.


    But this? This was new. And she wasn''t quite sure what to make of it.