Oscar drove me back to my apartment after a bittersweet farewell with my parents. He ushered boxes with my belongings up the elevator and I did my utmost best not to cast a glance at the door in front of mine when I entered my place.
I thanked Oscar for everything he’d done. He responded with a crooked smile and a pat on my head, saying it was nothing and that I was welcome to call him if I ever needed help.
With the threat gone, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. A younger guard had replaced Maverick, someone Vance Remington personally selected, and a bit more muscle was added around the building.
Anna and Layla arrived at my apartment just as I was putting my clothes back into my closet. They came bearing cake and a white box tied with a pink bow.
My jaw hung open when I unwrapped my gift, presented with the prettiest black bustier with gold chain detailing. “Oh my goodness.”
“Do you like it?” Anna queried from her seated position on my bed.
“Iloveit. Are you kidding me?” I spun around to face the mirror, holding it against my chest. “This is stunning, Anna. I’m going to wear it at the Halloween party, and I’ll pair it with my new miniskirt and heels.”
Anna approved with a cheeky smile. “You’re going to look so hot.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’m obsessed with it, Anna,” I gushed, absolutely enamoured with her creation. “Layla, did you already get yours?”
She nodded. “Anna gave me mine before we came over. It’s cream-coloured, with beautiful pearl embroidery.” She showed me a picture on her phone. “I’ll wear it to the Halloween party as well.”
“Yes, then we’ll match!” I threw myself at Anna, hugging her with all my might and pushing us until we fell backwards on the bed with giggles. “Can’t wait till you establish your own label and we can have wardrobes filled with your designs.”
Not wanting to be left out, Layla ambushed us too. We were a tangle of limbs and laughter before settling on our backs and staring at the chandelier on my ceiling.
“What are you going to do about Hunter?” Anna questioned after a quiet moment.
“Has he replied to any of your texts?” Layla commented.
“He hasn’t even opened them.” I sighed. “I didn’t mean to hurt him. I just…”
“It’s fine, Gabby.” Layla swept my hair back from my face reassuringly. “Just talk to him like your mom suggested. Everything will work itself out.”
“I hope so.” My chest twisted. “I don’t want to lose him.”
Anna raised herself on an elbow, peering down at me with knowingness. “You like him a lot, huh? Admit it.”
I couldn’t even deny it. “I’ve never liked anyonethismuch in my entire life.”
Shocked gasps erupted from either side of me. I wasn’t kidding. None of the boys from my past held a candle to Hunter. In such a short amount of time, my feelings for him ran so deep, I feared there was no bottom.
No one had ever treated me—cared for me—like Hunter.
Not even Franco.
But being friends with Hunter was the only way to ensure he stayed in my life. A romantic relationship wasn’t in our cards. I was too scared. Too messed up from my past. I had many insecurities and fears that I hadn’t worked through. I felt like I was doomed to screw up this good thing between us. Doomed to fail all of Hunter’s expectations.
“For what it’s worth, he definitely likes you back just that much—if not more,” Anna said. “It was so obvious on Friday night. He kept watching you with this soft, possessive expression. I don’t think he realized it himself.”
That’s what made this all the more painful. “I know he likes me too.”
“Just a couple of weeks ago, you were saying that you’d never act on this attraction,” Layla teased.
I chewed my lip before casting them both a meaningful glance. “I won’t be acting on this attraction. I…I’m going to apologize to Hunter for hurting his feelings, but I’m going to make it clear that the only possibility in our future is remaining friends.”
My best friends’ faces fell. “Gabby…”
“I don’t want to hear it. Please.” My shoulders drooped. “I’ll keep you both posted on what happens tonight.”
After eating cake, the girls helped me clean up my apartment. We dusted, broomed, and vacuumed. Every inch was spick-and-span by the time we finished. They left afterwards and then it was just me and my Luna. She was happy to be back home, resting on her favourite spot by the windowsill in the living room, neighbourhood-watching like a judgy old lady.
