“About time you two showed up,” someone calls out.
I turn and find a man just as tall as Calvin, maybe taller. Seriously, is there a height requirement to be in his circle? At this point, I’m convinced everyone he hangs around with is grown in some secret lab labeled“extra tall, mildly intimidating.”The guy in question wears an easy grin and has an arm slung around a woman with the kind of curls that belong in a shampoo commercial.
“We were starting to think you got lost. Or worse, stuck in a full-blown elevator make-out session,” he adds.
“King,” the woman who looks about my age scolds lightly, nudging him with her elbow, though her smile gives her away. She steps forward, warm and welcoming. “Hi, I’m Inès, and this is Kingsley,” she says, gesturing to her partner. “And these are our friends, Meghan, and her fiancé, Justin.”
Next to them stands a beautiful couple: a tall, handsome Black man holding the hand of a glowing blonde who looks very, very pregnant.
“Nice to meet you all,” I say with a cheerful smile, holding up the basket in my arms. “I brought fruit!”
Inès lights up. “How sweet of you, thank you.”
“And, uh… you can keep the basket,” I add quickly, already regretting how eager that sounded.
Calvin slides a hand to the small of my back, clearly amused. “Blair’s studying fashion in Paris,” he offers, his voice proud in a way that makes my heart skip.
Inès’ eyes widen with delight. “Oh my gosh, really? I’m from Marseille! Where are you studying?”
“The Institute Français de la Mode,” I say, and her face lights up even more.
“No way, the IFM? That’s incredible! And Paris, it must be such a different experience living there.”
“It really is,” I say. “The energy, the history, the culture… It’s all so inspiring.”
Just as I finish, a small black dog scurries into the room, tail wagging enthusiastically. My eyes immediately go to the dog. “Oh my gosh, who’s this?” I crouch down to scratch behind the dog’s ears.
“That’s our son, Beau,” Inès says with a fond smile.
“He’s adorable,” I coo, giving him chin scratches as his tail wags even harder. “Aren’t you just the sweetest thing?”
“Don’t be fooled,” Justin chimes in with a laugh. “He’s a con artist when it comes to stealing people’s hearts.”
I giggle as Beau gives me an enthusiastic lick on the cheek. “I think it’s working,” I admit.
“Alright,” Desmond interjects, clapping his hands together. His voice is smooth and commanding, yet playful. “Let’s get this party started. I’ve got an hour before I need to leave.”
“Wait,” Meghan pipes up with a mischievous grin. “Why don’t we all have a game night? Trivia, boys versus girls.”
“Oh no,” Justin groans, pointing an accusing finger at her. “Don’t even think about it, cheater.”
Meghan pouts dramatically. “What? I didn’t cheat last time!”
I look between them, confused, until Calvin leans down and whispers conspiratorially, “Inès is a genius.”
I glance at her, wide-eyed, as she lets out a small laugh.
“I forgot about that!” Meghan says with exaggerated innocence. “But I’m sure she can turn it off for one game.”
Inès raises her hand in mock surrender. “I could try.”
Kingsley arches a brow, giving her a look that’s equal parts warning and teasing, the same look Calvin gives me when I’m testing his patience. “Are you lying, Queen?”
“I wouldn’t dare, King,” she says sweetly.
Kingsley sighs in faux exasperation, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “That’s what I thought.”
“Well, fine,” Meghan declares, linking arms with Inès and me. “We don’t want to hang out with you guys anyway. We’ll have a girls’ night.”
