Chapter <b>24 </b>
Harper
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<b>77 </b>
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Apart from calling me everyday, Grayson hade to see me three times in one week and I just couldn’t escape him. Except for the one time he had surprised me in the previous week, he always asked if it was okay toe over. I could’ve easily told him I wasn’t home so I could stop him froming to my ce, but I never did. How could I when I now looked forward to seeing him every chance I could get?
I had begun to live with the fact that I wouldn’t always rush to Maddox to numb my feelings for Grayson. While I missed the way my body came alive during those moments, it did nothing for me long–term.
E and Zoey came early to my ce so we’d have enough time for home beauty treatments before heading to Maddox’s birthday party that would start at 7 PM.
The three of us sat on the couch, our faces green with an avocado mask and eyes covered by cucumber slices.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” E asked.
“Do what?” I turned my head in her direction like I could see her.
“You know, going to Maddox’s birthday party? Isn’t it going to be awkward? He’s been ghosting youtely.”
Zoey huffed. “As much as I hate to say this, I agree with E. He hasn’t spoken to you all week. Last week was awful, but this week’s been worse. He didn’t reply even when you texted first. Will you be okay over there?”
“I’ll be fine.” My voice was low. While Maddox was free to do as he pleased, it hurt a little that he just shut me
out.
“That should be a relief, but Tiffany will be there, too.”
“I’m not scared of her.” My voice was firm as I assured Zoey.
“Even when Grayson told you that Tiffany mes you for losing all those clients? I bet even E would be scared. To be honest, I’m d you’re still going. You’re the only reason Maddox invited us. Imagine us showing up there without you.”
“You fucked the guy twice. Any regrets<b>?</b><b>” </b>E bluntly asked.
I wanted to smile but the avocado mask had begun to dry. “No regrets at all and I mean it.”
“We were actually rooting for you to make things official with him.” Zoey clicked her tongue.
“Official?” <b>I </b>scoffed. “Look, Maddox and I weren’t even close<b>.</b>”
“Hello?” E nudged my shoulder. “You were so close that you were fucking. Remember that part? It’s just <b>so </b>crazy to me that you’re not talking anymore and you still want to go and see him onest time? I can only imagine what it’ll be like in person.”
“OMG! Imagine if he barely acknowledges you.” Zoey gasped.
<b>7:27 </b>Tue<b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>16 </b>
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“Damn, you two are being so negative.” I sighed. “Whatever happens, I’m still going. I won’t let what’s going on stop me from having a good time. I also want to personally hand him his gift.”
“Your gift still makes meugh when I think about it.” E snorted. “Do you think he’ll like it?”
“It’s the thought that counts,” <b>I </b>said.
I was just about to add on to my statement when my phone buzzed on the table. I peeled off one cucumber slice and reached for my phone, my heart skipping a beat at the sender’s name.
“Maddox just texted me.”
They both gasped and sat up more to peel off their cucumber slices.
“Is heing to pick you up?” E hopefully brought her hands together.
“What? No. There’s been a slight change. The party starts at 8 PM. I suggest we still arrive early.” <b>I </b>casually put the phone back down and leaned back as I ced the slices over my eyes again.
“So…” Zoey trailed off. “What was the rest of the message?”
“Nothing.”
“After a whole week, that’s all he had to say?”
“It doesn’t matter.” <b>I </b>sighed dismissively.
“That was so cold of him and you know what? Apart from Kate, I bet some of the other girls he’s fucked in the past will be at the party. Won’t that bother you?”
I wanted to furrow my eyebrows so badly. “Damn, Zoey, you just had to put that image in my head. Like I said, I knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to sleep with him. That’s why I’ll be just fine.”
“I’ve been wondering why you’ve been acting too calm about this and I just figured it out. It’s Dean, isn’t it?” E snickered.
They both began <i>to </i>tease me and I let out a shortugh. There was nothing going on between Dean and I. Not once had he tried to cross boundaries. I made sure to tell them that.
They wanted me to be in a rtionship so badly that they still believed it was just a matter of time before he’d ask me out, but I didn’t think so. I was certain it would never happen.
A few minutes had passed since we had arrived at Maddox’s residence but I was the only one checking myself out onest time while still in my seat. I had my hair in a sleek ponytail, a few hair stands falling on the sides of my <b>face </b>and styled in loose curls. For my face, I only had some mascara and red lipstick. My skin was so clear and dewy that I didn’t feel like adding any foundation.
“Will you two keep looking all around you or finally do what you have to do so we can get to the party?” I said, smoothing my short nude dress<b>. </b>
“Damn, give us a chance. This ce <b>is </b>so huge,” E said quietly.
I chuckled. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
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When they finally focused on themselves and we all grabbed our purses, we stepped out of my <b>car</b>, walking past a few luxury cars parked in the front yard.
Zoey began to feel out of ce. “Maybe we shouldn’t havee.”
“You read my mind,” E whispered.
I barely paid attention to the rest of what they were saying as I spotted one car in particr that made my heart skip a beat. “That’s Grayson’s car. He’s already here.”
“Great, we finally get to meet the guy you’ve always loved. Why do I feel like he’s more handsome in person?” Zoey’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
“He is.” My lips curved into a smile.
They both rolled their eyes and I felt a little embarrassed that I started blushing right away. It only got worse when we were getting closer to the entrance and I spotted Grayson,ing outside while on the phone.
“There he is!” I whispered to them even though he wasn’t close enough to hear me.
As the two of them quietly gushed over his entire physique and couldn’t decide who was hotter between Maddox and him, he looked in my direction, looked away, then looked back again once he realized it was me. His gaze dropped to my heels and moved up my body, like he was blown away by what he could see. But I quickly dismissed that thought. Why would he when he only had eyes for Tiffany?
Quickly, he starteding towards me, like he couldn’t wait to take it all in up close. He even told the on the other end of the line that he’d call them back.
“You’re here,” he said, slowly eyeing me up and down. “You look so gorgeous.”
person
I was just about to return thepliment when he reached for my hand to make me twirl so he could see it all. I giggled while I did it for him. I knew that I was only going to get hurt, but I still wanted that moment for myself. It was only when I faced the other side that I realized E and Zoey were there with me. They got to see just how I was around him whenever he gave me the attention I longed for. I could see them already teasing me about itter.
Even after facing him again, he didn’t let go of my hand.
“Have I told you how gorgeous you look in this outfit?” His gaze lingered on my lower half.
“Yup, this is the second time” I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.
“Then you better get ready because you’re going to hear it a hundred times and that’s just from me.”
That moment was perfect, but I reminded myself it would only ever be a dream, so I pulled back my hand and turned to face my friends so I could introduce them.
7:27 Tue<b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>16 </b>
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“I’ve heard so much about you two,” he said. “Don’t worry. She’s only told me great things<b>.” </b>
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They both giggled a little too hard, acting just as they did the first time they met Maddox.
“Maddox went all out for this party,” he said. “You’re definitely going to have a st. Why don’t youdies head inside? I still need to make a few phone calls. You twodies better take good care of my best friend.”
They chuckled as they nodded in agreement, but the amusement drained from my face for a few seconds. Best friend. That was all I was ever going to be.
When he faced the other direction while taking out his phone, the two of them came real close to me while we all watched him.
“Fuck, he’s hot,” E said.
“And he was openly flirting with you!” Zoey teased me.
“No, he wasn’t.” I shook my head dismissively.
“Oh, please, we all saw it and you were blushing so hard when he made you twirl. I bet you’re already fantasizing about him right now.”
“What? No, I’m not.” I began to lead the way just so I could avoid the topic.
The front doors were heavy with security, all of them buff and dressed in ck suits. I spotted a guy going in only after his name was confirmed to be on the guest list.
Just as we were getting closer, E stopped in her tracks with a loud gasp, her head turned to the backyard with wide eyes like she had just witnessed the most shocking scene ever.
AD
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