Chapter 15

15

L IZ

"Was that him?" I ask while she enters my place with a dark expression on her face. " Mr. I–forgot–to–mention–my–ex? "

Dragging my sheet across the floor, I turn my back to her and move to the coffeemaker to evade her eyes.

It's better to talk about her wearing the same clothes today than me being naked under this sheet.

Chloe knows I never sleep naked.

But she can't focus on me, I learn, glancing over my shoulder.

With her eyebrows pulled together, dark circles around her eyes, and makeup gone, she looks like a ghost as she pulls the chair back and falls into her seat.

"I figured it was him," I say, setting the machine for a fresh cup of coffee.

I'm not only drinking tea.

"Do you want a cup of coffee?" I ask, pivoting to get a glimpse of her.

Her arms are folded on the table, her head propped against them.

"Water?" I ask.

"Water, please."

The sheet becomes a nuisance, threatening to slide off, so I grab a bottle of water from the fridge, set it in front of her, and move swiftly toward the bedroom.

"Give me a second," I say.

She doesn't react or say anything.

Finally awake, I enter the walk-in closet and grab the first sweatpants and T-shirt I can get my hands on before dropping the sheet on the bed and sliding my clothes on.

I notice a couple of bruises on my skin.

He held me tight when I rode him like it was going out of fashion, and the thought that I fucked that beautiful man gives me a thrill.

I will pay for this dearly, one way or another, but as Thea said, I have to wing it, and not think about it much.

It was quite an experience.

Smiling, I pull my hair back into a ponytail. All that talk with my cousin about my appearance makes me sneak a glance in the closet mirror and examine myself.

I will definitely need to dye my hair for her wedding.

I don't have time to examine my body as a phone rings in the other room. It could be mine. It could be Chloe's.

We have the same ringtone.

It's hers.

I hear her talking while I exit the bedroom.

"Leave me alone. That's all I have to say."

Click.

Only there is no click. It's only her swiping her phone, seething with fury.

Her phone clatters when it hits the table.

"Easy," I say, all smiling. "It can't be that bad."

"It is bad," she grumps, twisting the cap.

She gulps down water and looks at me.

My finger goes up.

"Let me have a sip of coffee before you entertain me with your story."

She sighs but stays quiet, folding her arms on her chest. Furtively, I check my phone while waiting for the coffeemaker.

The voice message had been delivered, yet she didn't listen it.

How am I supposed to improve her mood?

She's too pissed to think about going to Rain's place with me.

Looking at her, I doubt she's had a wink of sleep.

I pour myself a big mug of coffee, squeeze some whipped cream from a can on top, and sit at the table across from her.

"I'm listening," I say before taking a sip, my lip dipping into the soft curl of whipped cream.

"We fought."

I set my drink down.

"You two met last night."

She flips her palms up.

"What can I say? It feels like we've known each other for a while. Our chemistry is off the charts."

"Clearly."

I roll my eyes.

"I didn't want to talk to him after that incident with his ex."

"See, that's why––"

She makes a clipped gesture, cutting me off.

"I don't want to hear it. I don't want to deal with his drama either. But I can't pull away from him. It's like I'm glued to him or something."

"It's pure magic," I joke, but she doesn't laugh. "I'm sorry," I say.

"No need to be sorry. We spent the night at his place."

"No sleeping, I suppose. Unless you slept with each other."

"We didn't fuck. We tried to, though."

"How? When? Before or after you were at each other's throats? You two have quite a story."

"Tell me about it."

"Do you even like this guy?" I ask, and her tired eyes latch onto mine.

She speaks after a few moments.

"He's like a storm. And yes, I like him."

A soft smile sprouts at the corner of her lips.

"Is he honest with you?" I ask.

"As honest as he can be."

"Chloe?"

She gestures at me.

"I know. I know. He is open about his emotions. That much I know. And I've never been more reactive in my life."

I can vouch for that.

Chloe is an ice princess. She knows everything about everything, and she is hard to impress.

I don't think that was the case with this man.

I don't think he had the time to figure out how to impress her or whether to do it or not.

He somehow pulled her into his world, and she couldn't get out of it. Him calling her and pursuing her doesn't help either.

"Who is he?" I ask.

"I have no idea."

"What?"

I set my coffee down.

"What do you mean you have no idea?"

"I have no idea. Some guy from New York. He's in town with business."

"Like, uh… What kind of business?"

She shrugs.

I would have expected more from her.

"What's his name?"

"He was probably drunk when he said people call him ‘The Architect.' "

"You're fucking with me now."

She seems amused.

So, finally Chloe stumbled upon someone who pulled her out of her game.

"Is he some kind of kingpin? Serial killer?"

The room fills with laughter.

I smile.

"You think it's cute. Seriously now. Why ‘ The Architect,' and what people? Co-workers? Friends? Enemies? Please don't tell me he's on the FBI's most wanted list."

"No, he's not. I don't think so."

"Huh… You don't think so? That's a horrible thing for you to say. You're such a letdown."

Chuckling, she dismisses me with a gesture.

"I don't care. I wouldn't put myself in harm's way."

"You have no idea who this guy is. Where does he live? Some kind of sordid motel?"

"It's a nice, expensive hotel suite. I told you he's in town with business."

I shake my head in disbelief.

"Okay. I give up. Uh… Wait a minute," I say after a moment. "How is he in town for business if he has an ex on his tail? And how come she knows about his whereabouts if he's such a mysterious guy?"

Her eyes glint as she feels validated.

"Thank you. That's exactly why we fought last night."

"And yet you tried to fuck him. And he gave you a ride home. Well, not exactly home. Why did you bring him here?'

"I didn't bring him here. He wanted to take me home, and I didn't want to tell him where I lived."

"Thank you so much," I say facetiously. "So you brought him to my place? What if he pops up at my door, looking for you?"

"He won't. I told him this was your place. He'll leave you alone."

"How generous of you."

Her eyes seem more focused now as she drags her stare down my body.

"What happened to you? What did you do?"

"Uh… Me? Nothing. I woke up, and I was leaving you a message when you showed up."

"A message?"

She picks up her phone and takes a look.

"What did you say in your message?"

I snatch her phone out of her hand and put it down.

"Thea called me. We're invited to Rain's place this afternoon."

"Rain Sexton?"

"Exactly."

"Why didn't she talk to you?"

"Don't get technical about it. She talked to Thea. And she wanted Thea to invite her friends. We are her friends."

"Is there an occasion?"

"No. Other than getting together before Thea's nuptials. It's going to be only us. The girls. I think?"

She jokingly sweeps her brow with the back of her hand.

"Thank God. No one wants to see those gorgeous men."

"Those gorgeous men are all taken."

"Tell me about it. I'm dealing with someone like them as we speak."

"He's not taken. His ex is stalking him, if that's the truth."

"I hope it is. But how is this any better?"

"Just don't think about it. Thea and I had a little chat, and she said the same thing in an unrelated conversation when I asked her how she does it all."

"How does she do it all?'

"She doesn't think about it."

She taps her index finger against her temple.

"Smart girl."

Okay, she's in a better disposition.

"So, are you coming or not?"

"You said you were going?"

"Yes."

"What do I need to do?"

"Shower and change your clothes maybe?"

"Can I borrow something from you?"

"Sure."

Smiling, I rise out of my seat and show her to my small walk-in closet.

LIZ

We take a cab to Rain Sexton's mansion. I don't want to deal with my car. It needs an oil change and new tires and sometimes doesn't start.

Our trip to her place is amazing.

A bright sun tosses a golden veil over the mountain peaks in the distance, and the trees are draped in red and yellow leaves.

Patches of greenery still hold onto their summery looks, and lovely houses are scattered across the land.

The closer we get to our destination, the bigger the properties.

I almost forgot how beautiful Rain's place is.Thea returned from Turkey the first time we stopped by.It was beautiful back then, but my perception was somehow skewed.

The details only registered with me at a superficial level.

Things are different now.

Maybe because I've contemplated my life lately, and I finally started living on my own.

Rain living a fairy tale life hadn't stuck with me. It didn't flash through my awareness. Not even when we were her guests that evening.

Things are different now.

I look at the view with more patience. The rolling hills, the forest, and the stream snaking down the valley make me a little nostalgic.

The old trees hold their branches high, creating a canopy of trembling leaves above the road.

Slumped in the corner, Chloe moves her gaze over the view like me.

We both wear dresses and sports jackets, although we argued before agreeing to these outfits.

Her hair is pulled up into a bun, and a colorful scarf holds it together.

My hair runs down my back, and a few necklaces fill the space between my chin and the top of my chest.

Her dress is white with a small pink floral print––so not like her, she complained––and mine is white with a tiny abstract print.

I bought them both at Maggie's and got them for fifty percent off. She also gave me the employee discount.

A good deal, if you ask me.

Chloe fusses with her sports jacket. It's a white cropped jacket, while mine is blue.

We don't look like our usual selves, I agree.

We're usually more casual than this, wearing tracksuits, sweatpants, T-shirts, and sports shoes.

But we're trying to fit in.

The weather is still perfect when the driver drops us off in front of Rain's place.

A blonde woman opens the door and waves at us.

Distracted, Chloe doesn't notice her, but I am laser-focused on the woman who's become a living legend.

Her hair is long, longer than I remember, a river of light moving down her back in large waves.

Her hazelnut eyes sparkle, full of life.

She looks amazing and different in a good way.

Her skin glows, and her hourglass shape is back after the birth of her first child.

"Hey. I'm so glad you're here," Rain says, opening her arms to hug me.

She is as warm and friendly as she's always been.

We break away from each other before Rain hugs Chloe.

"Thea is on her way," Rain says, pulling away from Chloe. "Come on in."

"Are we the first guests here?" I ask.

"Yes."

A bright smile sets off her eyes while a simple pink dress follows the contour of her body.

She's no longer the wild girl she used to be.

Noticing how easily she has adjusted to this life, I wonder what happened to that girl. Is she someone only her husband gets to see once in a while?

"Your dresses are so cute," she says sincerely, and I smile while Chloe bites back a comment.

She hasn't gotten any sleep, and that makes her even grumpier.

Aside from struggling with her love life problems, which are still irritating her, she's trying to behave.

I know she likes Rain.

She's even more fascinated with her than I am.

We enter the house and walk straight to the terrace, where a table is set for the guests.

The large backyard spreads out to a wooded area that lines three sides of the property.

Cauldrons, jack-o-lanterns, and goblins are scattered around the terrace. The view is magnificent, and the sky is clear, the sunlight tinging everything.

My eyes move to the table.

Cranberry cookies, mini pumpkin pies, orange scones, and crostinis layered with goat cheese await us, looking so yummy.

Before long, Thea, Dahlia, Eve, and two more women arrive. I've never seen those women before, but their husbands do business with James Sexton, and they've all recently moved to town.

The women give off good vibes.

Dahlia has morphed into a little vixen. She's no longer the shy girl she used to be, and Eve sparks with energy.

Happiness gives people this good energy, and I need it more than ever.

I like everything about them. How confident they are. And how optimistic.

Dahlia wears a white dress, a red jacket, and heels, while my cousin sports dark blue pants, matching flats, and a long white shirt.

She likes this look, and it truly works for her.

We spend the afternoon chatting and indulging in good food.

Luckily, Chloe's disposition improves.

An hour later, Rain's husband makes an appearance, and we all lose our breath. Maybe not all of us, but I do.

Even Chloe gives him a second look.

Eve wraps her arms around her brother-in-law before he looks around the table.

I don't think he remembers us. He wasn't home that night when Rain invited us to her place.

Maybe he knows us from the club, although I doubt it.

At any rate, he nods in our direction.Well… He's not the most talked about man of the county for nothing.Like his wife, he's a living legend.

Rocking a sharp suit, he looks like he's coming from a social event.His fingers work the tie knot loose. Yes, he's definitely coming home, not going out.

He's one of those lucky men who gets better with time.

He's more magnetic, powerful, and desirable than ever.

Rain is a lucky girl, and she surely knows it.Love twinkles in her eyes when she looks at him.

He shifts his focus to her and gives her a grin. If I am to guess, her undying love for him fuels his power.

They exchange a few words, yet I can't make out any of them before she walks with him inside the house.

"God, that woman…" Chloe murmurs under her breath, and luckily, I'm the only one who catches that.

Dahlia and Thea talk about the wedding, and Eve converses with the other two women.

A quick glance around the table makes me feel like an outsider, although I'm sure they all felt that way at some point in their lives.

"What's with you?" I chide Chloe.

Chewing on a mini pumpkin pie, she shakes her head.

"Have you seen her husband?"

I laugh.

She chuckles too.

Eve catches sight of us, and my cheeks burn.

"Please behave," I say quietly to my friend. "I don't want us to get in trouble."

"We're not getting in trouble," she says, dusting off crumbs from her fingers. "I love these two people. I always have," she says seriously. "It's rare to see people fighting for each other the way they have."

I sip tea and pick up a scone.

"You and your new acquaintance are almost like that," I joke.

She laughs, amused.

"Sure. We're fighting all the time. We got that down."

"Hey, you can't let go of each other. That's the most important thing. Who cares how you accomplish that?"

"Interesting thought. Speaking of that."

She reaches inside her pocket and glances at her phone.

"I think he and I are done," she says. "No more messages from him."

Sighing, she tucks her phone back in.

I can tell she wants me to believe she is relieved, but her downcast eyes and tense lips say something different.

My hand slides over hers.

"Don't worry. Perhaps it's better this way."

"That's what I was saying," she grumps, pulling her hand from mine. "You don't need to comfort me."

I shake my head, smiling.

"You are so stubborn."

"Look who's talking," she tosses back at me.

Voices ring inside the house, and our eyes fly to the entrance.

James steps into the doorway, no longer wearing his suit jacket. He summons Eve to him.

She excuses herself, and Chloe and I both hear her mention that he needs her for something work-related.

We both look at the stunning brunette wearing elegant trousers and a red top making a beeline for the house.

"I want her job," Chloe mumbles.

I whip my eyes to her.

"You can't help yourself, can you?"

She breathes a laugh.

James looks around the table again, and this time, Dahlia excuses herself and leaves.

I don't hear a peep from my friend.

Thea shifts her focus to us.

"They're talking business in James' office," she puts us at ease. "What's with her?" she asks, pointing to Chloe, who stays mum.

"Love trouble," I say.

"It's only trouble," Chloe says. "There's no love."

Thea looks at me.

"It's nothing," I murmur and sip more tea.

Thea flashes a knowing smile and casually moves her eyes to the entrance.

"Oh, my… Looks who's here."

We all focus on the house as Rain steps out, holding her baby.

Vivienne Sexton.

Thea pushes out of her seat first, and then the two other women while I don't know what to do.

Chloe seems carved in stone.

I follow Thea, who is ecstatic when she sees the little girl. You can tell my cousin is a new mom.She knows what to do and say.

Vivienne is tiny, and her hair is dark like her father's.

She's cute like a kitten, and she smiles at her mother's face and when she hears her voice. Some of her features have transferred to her daughter's face, although Vivienne looks more like her father than her mother.

I tickle her arm, and she stops and looks at me, frozen for a moment before she laughs.

Something softens in my chest.

"She is so cute," I say, and we all get excited seeing her so happy.

Later, we return to the table while Rain takes her back.

Chloe looks like she has a splinter in her finger.

"Are you okay?" I ask, lifting a cookie from the plate.

"I'm fine."

"What's bothering you?"

"Nothing."

I study her face.

It's not like her to be ill-mannered.

"Are you sick or something? You look sick."

"No. I'm, uh…"

Voices echo inside the house, and her focus shatters.

"What is that?" she asks.

I look in that direction.

"What?"

"I've heard men talking inside the house."

I lean back to get a better look inside the mansion. Sadly, I can't see much.

"I'm of no help," I say. "But I need to use the bathroom, so I'll take a peek for you."

"Forget about it. I'm coming with you."