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This time, we all burst out laughing, except Ethan, who looks anything but amused.

“Kitten, you’d better stop mentioning yourself and a relationship with another man—even hypothetically—ever again.”

Thalia doesn’t look intimidated by his warning at all. If anything, she seems even more entertained now. Turning in his arms, she wraps hers tightly around his waist and presses a quick kiss to his lips. Then she whispers something in his ear that makes the corner of his mouth lift.

Yeah, I truly never could’ve imagined Ethan in love.

“What do you say we finish in an hour and go grab something to eat?” Chase asks, returning to attaching the sign at the entrance.

“Absolutely agreed,” Liam replies.

“I already can’t wait to eat. I’m starving,” Kai adds.

One by one, they return to their tasks, but Zayn stays exactly where he is, keeping me wrapped securely in his arms.

“I can’t wait until it’s just the two of us again,” he whispers into my ear, his voice carrying a promise that sends a warm shiver down my spine.

I lift one hand, reaching behind me to curl my fingers around the back of his neck, and let my head settle on his chest. The steady beat of his heart beneath my cheek makes everything around us fade into the background.

“I think I could get used to this life ridiculously easily,” I admit honestly.

The worst part is, I think I already have.

I already crave it.

I already see him as part of my everyday life, woven into the little moments I never imagined sharing with anyone.

And I don’t know if he feels the same way.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Zayn

“So you didn’t think it was necessary to tell me that the designer you collaborated with was Selene, Mom?”

“But I thought I told all of you it was her, baby,” she replies in a sweet tone. Too sweet.

It confirms what I already suspected. She hid the information on purpose. What I don’t understand is why.

“Mom…”

“I’m sorry, honey,” she cuts in, “but I’m sure our proposal didn’t bother you guys at all, right? Especially you… I mean, you work so closely with her now.”

Hmm. Something about the way she says it makes me suspicious, but I can’t tell whether I’m imagining things or if she’s genuinely amused by the situation.

“Yeah,” I finally answer. “We work very closely… if that’s what you call being in a relationship, sure.”

“What?” Maya practically shrieks through the phone.

“What do you mean, honey?” Mom asks next, much calmer.

Almost expectant.

“I mean we’re together. As in, we’re a couple,” I tell both of them directly. “I’m not sure how much clearer I can make it.”

“But…”

“But what?”