I don’t answer, but my silence is confirmation enough.
Daisy sighs and sits on the small bench in the fitting room. “Aurora, look at me.”
I can’t. Instead, I smooth imaginary wrinkles from the red dress, focusing on the way the fabric catches the light rather than my friend’s concerned expression.
“Are you in love with Hunter Reed?”
The question hangs in the air between us. My throat tightens. I should deny it immediately, should laugh it off as ridiculous. But the words won’t come.
“I don’t...” My voice cracks. “I don’t know what this is.”
“That’s not a no.” Daisy’s reflection watches me with quiet intensity.
I press my palms against the cool mirror and close my eyes. “It wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“But it did.”
I nod, feeling tears threatening. “I’ve tried to stop it, Daisy. I’ve told him we can’t. I’ve walked away. But then...”
“But then he pulls you back in,” she finishes for me.
“It’s not just him.” I turn to face her, needing her to understand. “Something happens when we’re together. Something I can’t control. I’ve never felt anything like it.”
Daisy reaches for my hand. “You can’t deny it anymore, can you?”
“No.” The admission feels like both surrender and relief. “I can’t.”
“Oh, Aurora.” Her fingers tighten around mine. There’s no judgment in her eyes, only worry.
“What am I going to do?” I whisper, the reality of my situation crashing down around me.
My phone rings with Olivia’s custom tone, cutting through the heavy silence between Daisy and me. My stomach drops.
“It’s her,” I whisper, staring at my purse like it contains a venomous snake.
Daisy gives me a pointed look. “You should answer it.”
With trembling fingers, I retrieve my phone. Olivia’s smiling face fills the screen as I accept the video call.
“Aurora! Finally! I’ve been trying to reach you all morning.” Olivia’s face is radiant, her perfectly styled hair bouncing as she moves. “Are you shopping? Did you find something for the masquerade yet? Please tell me you’re actually coming.”
“I—yes, we’re looking at dresses.” I angle the camera up slightly to hide the red gown I’m wearing, the one that made me think of Hunter.
“Show me what you’re trying! I’m dying to see.” She’s practically vibrating with excitement.
“Nothing worth showing yet.” I force a smile. “What’s up?”
“You won’t believe what just arrived!” She disappears from frame momentarily before reappearing with an ornate gold mask decorated with crystals and peacock feathers. “Hunter had it custom-made! Isn’t it divine?”
“It’s beautiful,” I manage, feeling Daisy’s eyes burning into my back.
“And that’s not all!” Olivia continues, oblivious to my discomfort. “Hunter’s arranged for the entire top floor of Reed Technologies to be transformed. There’s going to be acrobats suspended from the ceiling, a fifteen-piece orchestra, and apparently some surprise at midnight that even I don’t know about!”
I watch my sister’s animated face as she describes the event in elaborate detail, her eyes bright with excitement over a party being thrown by the man I’ve been sleeping with behind her back.
“You have to come, Aurora. It won’t be the same without you there.”
Guilt coils in my stomach like a living thing. “I wouldn’t miss it,” I lie.
