~Joan~
I’d taken a few days off from work to help Rhoda plan her birthday party. When I wasn’t planning, I was writing. Shayne had reached out to me a couple of times to ask how the manuscript was coming along. She was the best editor-when she wasn’t micromanaging me. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen often.
Rhoda had gone all out with the decorations, as if she’d forgotten it was Aaron’s house she was using. Speaking of Aaron, he’d given her a second chance to host the party and, surprisingly, hadn’t made an issue about me attending. But then again, Aaron wasn’t a man who repeated himself. If he said something once, he meant it.
“You think this makeup suits my skin tone?” Rhoda asked as we sat in the salon. The makeup artist was applying finishing touches, her brow slightly furrowed as if she were silently judging Rhoda’s doubt.
I glanced up from my phone, taking in her face. “It’s perfect. The color really works for your skin tone,” I said, flashing a brief smile at the makeup artist to soften the tension.
Rhoda bit her lip nervously, her energy jittery. Her boyfriend was flying in tonight, and while she hadn’t said it outright, I knew she wanted to look flawless for him.
A few minutes later, the makeup artist packed up and left. Rhoda turned to me, her brown eyes lined in smoky perfection. Her hair had been curled and fell in soft waves around her shoulders, framing her glowing face. She looked stunning.
She pouted at her reflection in the mirror, so I tucked my phone into my jeans pocket, stood, and reached for her hands. “Hey, you’re doing great. At twenty-six, I’m pretty impressed,” I teased, grinning as her lips tugged into a smile.
“I know, right?” she replied, and I nodded, squeezing her hands reassuringly.
“Lucas is going to love it, and you look beautiful. Your party’s going to be a blast-mainly because I refuse to let my hard work go to waste,” I said, rolling my eyes. She laughed, finally relaxing a little.
“This isn’t about Lucas,” she muttered, but I raised an eyebrow at her.
“Babe, I’m not a kid. I know you’re stressed about seeing him after a few weeks in New York,” I said gently. She sighed but didn’t deny it.
“You look gorgeous. Trust me,” I added. She smiled-a soft, grateful expression that made me fall in love with my best friend all over again.
“Thank you. I really needed that,” she said, her voice quieter now.
“You need me always,” I shot back, and we both chuckled.
Her phone rang, and her face lit up. “Lucas?” I asked knowingly. She nodded with excitement before picking up the call. I checked my phone while she spoke to him. No texts. Not even from Aaron.
After I’d sent him my last message days ago-which he’d clearly read-he hadn’t replied. No texts, no calls. It was as if he’d vanished. While I was upset he ghosted me, I couldn’t shake the worry that something might be wrong. That was part of the reason I’d decided to show up at the party tonight. Not that he could stop me if he wanted to.
“Lucas is at the airport,” Rhoda announced, interrupting my thoughts.
“Wow. That’s fast,” I said, turning to face her as she grabbed her bag and brushed past me.
“Settle the bill for me, will you? I’ll see you at the party!” she called out before disappearing through the door.
I lingered a few minutes before paying, then left the salon with a determined stride. I’d see her at the party, alright. And Aaron, too.
I already had the perfect dress in mind.
—
I arrived at Aaron’s house just as the party was heating up. The music pulsed loudly, carrying all the way to the elevator as I rode up. I caught my reflection in the glass walls. My hair was tied into a sleek bun, and the white sleeveless dress I wore clung perfectly to my figure. It ended at my knees-a mix of modesty and seduction, thanks to the high slit running up my thigh. I pulled out my red lipstick and swiped it across my lips, smiling faintly. I didn’t need anyone to tell me I was beautiful. That was something I already knew.
The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped out, my five-inch heels clicking against the floor. The sitting room was crowded, filled with bodies swaying to the music. Rhoda had really outdone herself.
I made my way to the kitchen island, a familiar refuge in Aaron’s house, and perched on a stool. My eyes scanned the crowd, looking for Rhoda. A flash of brown hair caught my eye, and I perked up. Was that Matthew?
He approached me with a bright smile, and I stood to greet him with a quick hug.
“Hey,” he said, his tone warm.
“Hey yourself. What are you doing here?” I asked as we both sat down. His eyes roamed over my face and lingered briefly on my dress before he chuckled.
“It’s a party, Jo. I got invited by a friend,” he explained, then added with a teasing grin, “But damn, you look good.”
I shifted slightly, feeling a flicker of discomfort under his gaze. “Thanks. Have you seen Rhoda around?” I asked, eager to steer the conversation elsewhere.
“Yeah, I think I saw her with a blonde guy,” he said. Lucas. “Wait, she’s your best friend?”
“Yep,” I muttered, hoping to move on.
“She’s also Aaron’s sister, right? The guy who dropped by the shop that day?”
I gave a tight nod. Busted. The fewer people who connected me to Aaron tonight, the better. But maybe Matthew’s presence could help me achieve my goal faster.
Before I could respond, a chill swept over me. Goosebumps rose on my skin, and I felt the hair on my arms bristle. I didn’t need to turn around to know who had entered the room. Aaron. I could feel the weight of his gaze, burning into me and Matthew.
A small smile tugged at my lips. Game on, Thompson.