Her mother.
Her sister.
Her best friend.
All three women stepped into the loft together.
Just before the chaos descended, Beth had been knee-deep inMiles Bailey Gets Down on One Knee—a charming, closed-door RomCom that was hitting a little too close to home. She didn’t know why she did this to herself. Marriage of convenience? Check. Emotional tension? Double check. Sure, there were differences—she and Bryce weren’t trying not to fall in love—but still.
“Daaannngggg, Zuko. You understood the assignment,” Lynn said, patting Bryce on the chest as she breezed past him.
Lynn let out a low whistle as she spun in a full circle, taking in the view. Her gaze locked on the elaborate brunch spread set out on the kitchen island.
“Hey, Sandra Dee! We’re here to kidnap you,” she announced, sauntering into the living room and tossing her oversized backpack onto the very couch Beth had just vacated.
Bryce scratched his head, looking mildly lost. “Zuko? I don’t know that one.”
“Grease,” came the chorus—Beth, Kim, and Sue answering in perfect unison.
“You don’t know any of my references,” Lynn laughed, not missing a beat.
With greetings exchanged and hugs given, Beth took a longer look at what her sister was wearing. Lynn always pushed the limits on fashion, but today she’d gone full-on rebel. Biker boots, tight jeans, a silk multicolored halter top, and a leather jacket.
Quite the contrast to the rest of the group.
Beth glanced down at her own outfit—simple sundress with pockets—and suddenly felt unsure. But seeing her mom in a casual shift dress and Kim in capris and a floral blouse, she relaxed. She fit right in.
Still, she couldn’t help teasing.
“So… why the Pink Lady look?” Beth asked, raising an eyebrow. “Trying to match your newest icon-insult?”
Lynn grinned, clearly pleased. “Look at you, getting clever. I’m almost proud.”
She pressed a dramatic hand to her chest and curled her shoulders forward with mock sincerity as she said the last word.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got a change of clothes in my bag. Buuuut…” she swung the strap over her shoulder with a little bounce, eyes already sweeping the space again, “first—give us the full tour. And show me where I can change.”
Beth opened her mouth to suggest they eat first, but Lynn had already begun walking up the stairs.
Bryce was leaning against the kitchen island and noted Lynn’s timing—and the way she avoided the question. His eyes met Beth’s for the briefest moment, a small knowing smile curving his lips before he excused himself from the tour.
“Don’t worry,” he called back. “I’ll let you ladies do your thing and save some brunch for you.”
They moved from room to room upstairs, voices rising with excitement.
“Oh, I love this bookshelf,” Sue said, trailing her fingers along the built-in unit in the guest room.
“It has a built in Murphy bed!” Excited, Beth showed them how it worked.
Once they were in the master bedroom, Kim asked, “Wait—is this the reading nook?”
“Yes!” Beth beamed, motioning toward the room divider, “WITH a coffee bar!”
Kim looked genuinely delighted. “Okay, Bryce did good.”
They were still mid-laughter—teasing Beth about needing a tutorial for the touchpad-controlled bathroom—when they realized Lynn had started changing in the middle of the room.
“Lynn!” Sue shrieked, spinning away. “What are you thinking? The curtains are open!”
