“Drunk already, and it’s not even noon.” Alessia frowned but still caught Ste as she stumbled, guiding her gently to the couch.


    “I tried to stop her. Didn’t help,” Queenie said with a resigned sigh.


    “So, how did things go with the exhibition?” Clearly, Queenie was already in the


    loop.


    “It’s taken care of.”


    “There’s talk all over the art scene about it. The Quincy family got


    embarrassed–maybe they’ll keep a low profile <i>for </i>a while. Plenty of people are asking about your brother, trying to buy up his other pieces. <i>Those </i>who know anything have starteding to me for info.”


    “Let them talk. Doesn’t matter.”


    Alessia had no need for that kind of money, and the Mortons weren’t about <i>to </i>hawk Ivan’s paintings like trinkets just for a quick buck.


    “I’m sitting here a mess, and you two aren’t even going tofort me?” Ste had recovered enough to sit up, but her voice was thick with wounded pride.


    The other two exchanged a look and shook their heads in silent agreement.


    The day after Cole confessed <i>to </i>Alessia, Justin, not to be outdone, whisked Ste off <i>to </i>watch Form 1. He picked the perfect moment–while she was still giddy from <i>the </i>race–to confess his feelings, and just like that, they became a couple.


    Back then, they were more inseparable than ten Coles and Alessiasbined. But less than a month in, they were already bickering every other day and threatening to break <i>up</i>, only <i>to </i>be stuck together like glue again the next morning.


    The arguments were always over nothing, but somehow, it was their friends who got caught in the crossfire. Every other day, they were dragged into the drama, forced to listen to thetest/petty squabble.


    <i>“</i><i>So </i>what was it this time?” Alessia asked, pouring a ss of water for Ste.


    Ste didn’t refuse. She just took the ss and drank quietly.


    “I’m on break, and he didn’t even want to go out with me. Said he’d already made ns to go fishing with my dad!” Ste’s voice shot up an octave as she pointed at herself, genuinely incredulous.


    20.20


    “He’d rather take my dad fishing than go on a date with his girlfriend? Why doesn’t he just date my dad at this point?!<b>” </b>


    They were used to Ste and Justin’s bizarre arguments, but this one took the cake. Alessia tried to say somethingforting, but couldn’t help bursting intoughter.


    “Oh, you’reughing at me now? Some friends you are!” Ste pouted, her face scrunched up in indignation.


    “Would I have ditched Cole toe here if I wasn’t your friend?”


    Ste realized she was being unreasonable and shrank back <i>into </i>the couch without


    another word.


    “I told you, either invite Justin’s mom out for a shopping spree<i>, </i>or just tag along with Justin and your dad for fishing. What’s the point of sulking here?” Queenie said, taking a delicate sip of her wine.


    “I don’t want to.”


    Ste gave a little huff.


    Ever since she started dating Justin, Ste had grown a bit more spoiled–not that anyone med her. Justin had done that all on his own. Every time they fought, she always ended up here, and sure enough, it never took Justin long toe running after her.


    As if on cue, Alessia had barely finished half her juice when Justin showed up at the door.


    “Ste!”


    He hurried over, while Ste turned away, her annoyance written inly across her


    face.


    Alessia and Queenie exchanged another nce, both raising their eyebrows in amusement, settling back to watch the show.


    “Oh,e on, sweetheart, I messed up, okay? You said you were busy this weekend, so I made ns with your dad. I told you about it!”


    “Well, how was I supposed to know my friends would suddenly make ns too?” Ste muttered, her tone softening.


    “I’d have canceled on anyone else, but your dad’s a tough one to turn down. Please, princess, can you forgive me this once?” Justin tugged at the sleeve of her sweater,


    <b>09:39 </b>


    Chapter


    his voice full of nervous hope.


    “Fine, but next time, Ie first.”


    “There won’t be a next time, I swear. Never again,” Justin promised, with a hint of desperation.


    Their friends just shook their heads. No matter who started it, these two always found a way to patch things up. Where most couples drifted apart with every fight, Ste and Justin only seemed to get closer–and their friends? Well, they just had to sit back and watch, getting another taste of their all–too–sweet <i>love </i>story.