Sylus snorts. “It’s always good when the dickhead isn’t around.”
Ace chuckles, and some of the tension melts away. But Annabelle turns to me with a curious look. “Who the fuck is Nicholas? Nova, girl, I have no idea what kind of people you’re hanging out with lately.”
I hesitate for a moment, but there’s no hiding it now. Since I want her to help us out, she has a right to know. “Nicholas Harrington.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Annabelle’s eyes widen. “Harrington as inHarrington Heights?VeronicaHarrington?”
“Yep,” I say, popping theP.“The son.”
She lets out a low whistle, leaning back in her chair. “Wow. And what about the Lane brothers? Last time I saw you, you were with Koen.”
“Your bestie is with all of us,” Sylus announces casually, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. “She’s with me, Alaric, Koen, and… yeah,Harringtonhangs around too.”
Annabelle freezes, her wide eyes darting to me. I brace myself, ready for the judgment, the questioning, the awkwardness. Instead, she squeals, drawing a few glances from nearby tables before I hush her with a panicked look.
“Geez, girl,” I whisper. “People are staring.”
She clamps a hand over her mouth, but her excitement is undeterred. “Like, for real? Like,with them,with them? Together? With all of them? Or are you… you know, fucking them?” Her gaze flicks to Sylus and Alaric, then she throws me a teasing smirk and adds, “Not that I could blame you.”
My cheeks burn as I glance at the guys, but Sylus laughs, clearly unbothered. Ace’s lips twitch, almost forming a smile.
“It’s complicated,” I mumble, trying to downplay it.
“Girl, don’t even try toit’s complicatedme. You’re living the dream. Thefantasy. Told you manifesting works. What do we say?We don’t chase, we attract.”
“Oh, I chased the fuck out of her,” Sylus interjects, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. “She punched a guy in the face, took me home, kicked me out, then vanished into thin air, and I spentdaystrying to track her down.”
That little gossip.
Annabelle blinks at him, then turns to me, eyebrows arched. “Youpuncheda guy?”
I shrug. “He deserved it.”
“He absolutely did.” Sylus leans closer, his grin widening. “But I didn’t deserve her vanishing on me. That part? Completely uncalled for.”
Annabelle snorts, shaking her head. “You mean you didn’t catch on that she was a runner?”
“She’s not just a runner,” Sylus says dramatically. “She’s amagician.One second, she’s there, all glitter and sass, and the next?Poof.Gone.”
“Sounds like you worked for it,” Annabelle teases, leaning on the table with a sly grin.
“Worked for it?” Sylus laughs. “Iearnedit. Blood, sweat, and tears. But it was worth every second.” His smirk softens as he turns to me. “You were worth every second.”
“Ugh,cute.” Annabelle groans, rolling her eyes dramatically, then she turns to Ace. “And you, fellow blondie? What’s your deal?”
I jump in quickly before Ace can speak, not ready to unravel my entire backstory right now, “We were together when we were teens. He’s from my hometown. I just… found him again.”Annabelle doesn’t know all the details of my past, and this isn’t the time to lay it all out.
Ace glances at me, a flicker of amusement in his eyes as he smiles faintly. “Yeah, we must’ve manifested getting back together a lot.”
“So damn romantic,” Annabelle swoons, clutching her chest. “And now you’re telling me you need my help for… what exactly? Need a bridesmaid?”
“I wish,” Sylus mutters, while Ace shakes his head but doesn’t argue.
“No bridesmaid needed,thanks.”
Annabelle might be over the top, but she’s my safe place. And for once, it feels good to let someone into this insane, tangled life I’m trying to navigate.
The server returns with our drinks, setting down our caramel monstrosities. Belle takes a slow sip of her latte, sighing in exaggerated bliss. “God, I needed this. Okay, spill. What’s thisthingyou need me for?”
