She crosses her arms and leans against the counter. “Spill.”
My hands shake. I grip the edge of the sink beside her, staring at my reflection. Dark hair falling loose around my shoulders. Eyes too bright with panic.
“I met Hunter,” I whisper. “About a week before the engagement announcement.”
Grace’s expression doesn’t change. “And?”
“And we,” I close my eyes. “We almost kissed.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah.” I turn to face her. “He pulled me back from the cliff edge at my dad’s place. Thought I was going to jump. We were so close, Grace. His hands on my shoulders, his breath on my face. I swear he was going to?—”
“Did he know who you were?”
“No. Neither of us did.” The words tumble out faster now. “I didn’t know he was the neighbor. Didn’t know Derek was arranging anything. And then one week later, I’m at the party, and he walks in and is suddenly engaged to Oliva.”
Grace’s jaw tightens. “Jesus, Aurora.”
“I can’t stop thinking about him.” My voice cracks. “Every time Olivia says his name, I feel it here.” I press my hand to my stomach. “And I hate myself for it because she’s happy. She’s so fucking happy, and I’m…”
“Obsessing over her fiancé.”
“Yes.” The admission tears out of me.
One of the women at the mirror glances our way. Grace shifts, blocking me from view.
“Do you think he believed the engagement was to you?” Her voice stays low, controlled.
“Maybe?” I grip the counter harder. “The way he looked at me, Grace. Like he knew exactly what I was thinking.”
“Do you think he likes you too?” Grace’s question cuts through my spiraling thoughts.
I press my fingers against my temples. “I think so…” I shake my head. “But who the hell knows what goes on in that man’s head. He’s a fucking enigma.”
“Hunter Reed doesn’t exactly scream transparent,” Grace agrees.
The bathroom door swings open. Three giggling women stumble in, clearly drunk. Grace grabs my wrist and pulls me toward the hallway outside.
We find a quieter corner near the emergency exit, away from the pounding bass and the crowd. The metal railing feels cool under my palms as I lean against it.
Grace studies me for a long moment. “You need to tell Olivia.”
“What?” My stomach drops. “Are you insane?”
“Listen to me.” She steps closer, her voice firm. “It’s not like they have some grand romance going on. They barely know each other. Derek arranged the whole thing for business reasons.”
“That doesn’t matter?—”
“It does matter,” Grace cuts me off. “Olivia’s excited about the wedding and the attention, sure. But there’s no emotional bond there. No deep connection. She’s marrying him because your dad told her to.”
My chest tightens. “And that makes it okay for me to, what? Confess that I’m attracted to her fiancé?”
“It makes it honest.” Grace’s dark eyes bore into mine. “You think she won’t notice something’s off? You were practically vibrating with tension all night. Daisy and I picked up on it, and we’re not even the ones planning a wedding with you as the maid of honor.”
“I can’t.” The words feel strangled. “Grace, I can’t do that to her.”
“Can’t? Or won’t?” She crosses her arms. “Because keeping this secret while you help plan her wedding—that’s worse. That’s lying every single day.”
