“What she said,” I echo.
“And working together as sisters?” Olivia asks. “How’s that going?”
“We drive each other mad.”
“Emma’s… a little type A,” Sadie elaborates. “And I’m not. But luckily, I love her.”
My phone dings. Sebastian! I look at it hopefully. Disappointment shoots through me when I realize it’s just a message from an old assistant friend of mine.
“So, how’s your fake engagement going?” Daisy asks. “I haven’t seen any breakup rumors in the tabloids. I thought it was only a temporary thing.”
Olivia chuckles. “Daisy, you’ve been on tour with Ryder for too long now. You’re way out of the loop. Emma and Sebastian have moved on from being fake engaged to actually…” Olivia turns to me. “What is it that you are?”
“Oh!” Daisy says. “Are you together for real now? Is he your boyfriend?” she teases.
What can I tell my friends? Boyfriend sounds silly at our age—as if I should writeSebastian Blake is my boyfriendon my arm in permanent marker. And decorate it with hearts.
“We’re… exploring things,” I say lamely.
“Sexualthings?” Daisy suggests. “It’s about damn time. The two of you have been the slowest burn ever.”
“Amen.” Olivia nods and takes a long sip of champagne.
Daisy regards me thoughtfully. “Why do you sound hesitant? Land that movie star. You’ve liked him forever.”
“How did you know? I thought only Sadie figured it out.”
Daisy waves her hand. “Oh, please. I can tell these things. Plus, wasn’t there that time a few years back that you both had to distract the paparazzi? And he kissed you so they would follow you two instead of Olivia and Chase.”
“He didn’t actually kiss me. He just made it look like hemight. I was actually really disappointed about that.” I have a horrifying thought. “Did Chase and Ryder know I had a crush?”
“They’re guys. They were probably clueless.” Olivia says.
I shrug, looking down at my half-eaten sugar-free cupcake. “It’s new. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”
Daisy laughs. When I turn to her accusingly, she abruptly stops. “Sorry. It’s just, have you seen the way he looks at you? He’s as obsessed as you are. More. He’s never looked at any girl like that. Not even close. That boy is down bad.”
“I don’t know,” Sadie says with an arch of her brow. “Maybe Emma has a right to worry. I mean, Sebastian’s always been a manwhore. He might not be the loyal type.”
I huff out a breath. “I can’t believe you’re saying that about Sebastian. He’s been so good to you. He’s one of the most loyal guys I know,” I bluster. “He’s always there for his friends, no matter what. He never gives up on anyone or judges them. He has the best heart. Look at all the good he does. It’s because of him and that bonkers amount of money he deposited in my account that we can set up Grace Foundation. He also continues to show up for his parents, no matter how awful they are. And—”
“Easy there, tiger.” Sadie grins at me. “I thought you might have a few things to say about me dissing your man.”
I glare. “You were baiting me.”
“Maybe.”
“Oh, she’s down bad,” Daisy says.
“So down bad,” Olivia echoes.
“It’s just… I know how to be an assistant to a star. But I don’t know how to be in arelationshipwith a star. I twirl my now-empty champagne glass. “When I’m…”
“Just a girl?” Daisy teases.
Olivia smiles gently. “I don’t fit into the Hollywood scene either, and I never have.”
“That’s the thing. Chase is like you. Neither of you want a big, glossy Hollywood life. But Sebastian was built for one. He doesn’t do small. I’ve always imagined he’d be with someone who could be part of his world.”
