“Should I not have done that?” Kali asks worriedly. “You posted Coco the other day, so I didn’t think to mention it to you.”
I bite my lip and then shake my head. I know I can be a little bit of a control freak when it comes to our social media pages. That’s why I do all the editing myself even though we could definitely afford to hire a little—or a lot—of help. I might know our brand best, but I definitely don’t want Kali to feel like I’m dissing her or her posts.
“It’s totally fine, Kali,” I say. “Of course, it’s cool. It’s just that I thought we decided we were going to keep the focus on the three of us. We don’t want our fans to get jealous that you landed a smoking hot lawyer,” I add playfully.
Kali laughs and nods. “Cool,” she says, but her expression is still a little clouded.
Liv, who can’t stand an ounce of tension between any of us, clears her throat, cuddling Chanel closer and moving back and forth from side to side like she was rocking a baby. “What are your plans tonight, girls?”
Kali reaches for another chocolate and nibbles on it slowly, not looking at either of us. “Um…actually, Grayson has a work event so I’m going with him.”
Her sky-blue eyes meet mine before immediately shifting away again and a pang jolts through me.
Ugh.
I hadn't meant to make Kali feel like she couldn’t share anything about her beautiful boy toy. It’s only been the three of us for so long that getting used to sharing Kali lately has been tough. I know it’s selfish and I’m not proud of it.
I love Kali like she’s family. Which is why I need to chill out and be more careful about how I act about Grayson. I don’t want my BFF to ever feel like she can’t talk to me or anyone else about her boyfriend. Besides, even I have to admit that not only is Grayson cute and charming—and treats Kali like a princess—but he’s been super helpful for the G&G brand.
I walk around the island and wrap my arms around Kali’s slender shoulders.
“Well, I bet you two will have a blast, babe,” I gush. “You should take a pic of both of you all dressed up and post it on the feed. Our followers will go wild!”
She turns slightly in my embrace and a hopeful smile brightens her face. “Seriously?”
I nod. “Definitely! I'm sorry I got snippy before. It’s just sitting in front of that computer all day makes me moody. I had a ton of editing to do.”
Kali giggles. “I get that. The only reason I’m not stress baking up a storm right now before Grayson’s work thing is because I just got my nails done. I’m probably being a little snippy, too. It’s the first time he’s showing me off to his colleagues and they’re just so…”
I imagine the other people Grayson works with at his law firm and lift a brow. “Stuffy?”
“I was going to say professional,” she insists.
The three of us burst into laughter that’s interrupted when my phone starts chiming again.
I glance at the screen, assuming it’s going to be more comments about how admittedly adorable Kali and Grayson are together, but what I see makes my jaw practically drop to the floor.
“O. M. G!” I squeal. “Babes, we just got invited to THE party in LA. It’s being held at that trendy rooftop bar that’s always booked solid. And Mila and Ashton are going to be there! This is it! I totally thought we got snubbed this year, but I must’ve missed the invite. We only have an hour to get ready!”
I start for the stairs, stopping when I realize Kali and Liv aren’t right behind me. I turn to give them a questioning look.
“I can’t go,” Kali says. “Grayson’s work thing, remember? He needs me to come through for him. I can’t bail for a party.”
Ugh. I already forgot. And she told me like five minutes ago.
I turn helplessly toward Liv, but she shakes her head, her long, auburn hair bouncing around her shoulders. “I’m out, too. Someone’s got to look after the pets if both of you are going wild tonight. Besides, I’m working on some more fashion designs for that collab we’re doing with Franco.”
I bite my lip hard and stare down at the invite on my phone. I can’tnotgo to this party. Too many celebs and socialites will be there for G&G not to make an appearance. But it’ll be my first big bash without my girls at my side and I’m not sure I’m ready for that.
Well, ready or not, I’m going to this party anyway.
CHAPTER TWO
A warm California breeze embraces me as I sidle out of the Uber I took to the party, making sure my little black dress doesn’t creep too scandalously high up my thighs.
The streets of Los Angeles seem more lively than usual tonight. Music throbs from open business doors and girls in sky-high heels stumble down the sidewalk arm-in-arm. Windows gleam and billboards flash. The moon is bright and full over the city of angels, but the stars are shrouded by neon lights.
Even from the street, I can tell the club is absolutely packed.
