I shake my head. “Not yet.”
“Hopefully Aiden isn’t an asshole about it.”
“Fingers crossed,” I say, making the gesture for good measure. “I almost want to tell him because he won’t be a dick to me.”
“Yeah, but I think it’s stand-up that Wes wants to talk to Aiden.”
“Exactly,” I agree as I put down my phone. I notice then that I haven’t shut off my iPad. That’s unlike me—or maybe I’m just tired of hiding it.
“You know, he’s nothing like Noah.” I am a little taken aback that she brings up my ex from high school. Who I thought was hubby material.
I nod. “Nothing.”
“He’s wilder, very direct. Noah was so complacent. I feel like Wes would argue back, not just take your shit.”
I snort. “You make me sound difficult.”
“You can be,” she reminds me, and I grin.
“Tonight will be our third date. We haven’t really had any disagreements. We get along great.”
“That’s good, but I’m sure something will go down, and that’ll be the test of if I’m right. Either way, I like him.”
“Good,” I say, meeting her gaze. “I do care what you think.”
She snorts. “Sure, you do.”
We chuckle at that as she rolls to her side, playing around on her phone. I watch her for a moment, and she’s so beautiful. She mirrors me, but she’s thicker. I think sometimes that she takes after our mom’s genetics because she looks just like Audrey except with our dad’s eyes. Her hair is up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing some oversized sweats, but she’s still gorgeous. I take in a deep breath, and she looks up at me.
“What?”
“Can I tell you a secret?”
She raises a brow. “You have a secret from me?”
I smile. “I do.”
“Well, that’s bullshit. I don’t extort you.”
I laugh. “I know, but I’m scared.”
She looks at me, very confused. “What? Why? What is going on?”
I bite my lip as I stare into her eyes. “You can’t tell anyone—”
“Oh my God, Stella. What?”
I pause for a second, and then I’m reminded of how Wes told me to be. Confident. “I’ve been working for Audrey for over two years now.”
She brings her brows in. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve been making cupcakes for the shop.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, and I want to quit school to work full time for Audrey.”
Her eyes widen. “But you love fashion.”
“I don’t think I do. Not like I used to.”
“Oh damn,” she says slowly. “I mean, that’s awesome. Cupcakes are yummy, but wow, I didn’t think you’d ever want to quit fashion school.”
“I didn’t think so either, but I love creating little cakes and stuff. It’s so much fun.”
She doesn’t even hesitate. She smiles, tapping my knee. “Well, that’s cool. Do what makes you happy.”
“Really?”
She eyes me like I’m an idiot. “Yeah, why would I want you to be unhappy? It’s your career. No one is trying to do something they hate. You work hard, Stell. If you want to make cupcakes, then I bet my sweet ass, you work your ass off at it.”
“I do.”
“Then you’re golden.”
I smile. “Thanks, Em.”
“For what? You’re my big sister. I love you.”
I reach over, my phone and iPad falling out of my lap, before I wrap my arms around her, hugging her tightly. She doesn’t hug me back. Instead, she groans and pushes me away. “Ew, gross,” she says, though she is smiling. “Don’t be weird.”
“I love you, Em.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
That’s when my phone sounds. But before I look at it, she says, “Don’t be a pussy either. Tell Mom and Dad. They’ll be supportive.”
Why does dread fill me when I think of telling them? It’s one thing to be honest with my sister and my…I guess, my boyfriend. But my parents…that’s a whole other beast I’m not ready to tackle yet. I reach for my phone to see a text from Wes. My heart swells at the sight of it, though I’m still a little worried about him.
Wes: Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I’ve had a shitty fucking day.
Me: I’m sorry. Are you okay?
Wes: Not really. It was absolute shit, but I’ll survive.
Dread fills my stomach.
Me: I’m sorry. Did you want to cancel tonight?
Wes: Absolutely not. Can I pick you up?
Me: Yes. I’d love that.
Wes: Six?
Me: I’ll be ready.
Wes: Great. See you soon.
Me: Can’t wait.
Wes: Me either.
I hate that his day was shitty, but maybe I can make it better.
“Oh my God, are you already in love with him?” Emery teases, pulling on my toes.
I kick her playfully, and she squeals. “Shut up.”
“Is he coming to get you?”
“Yes, at six.”
“Awesome, Mom and Dad will be here, so I need to go pop some popcorn.”
As she gets up, heading out of my room and laughing like a hyena, I can only think one thing—fuck.
* * *
Wes: Be there in fifteen.
My heart is in my throat. I know I need to tell my parents that I have a date coming to get me. But instead, I stand in the kitchen at the breakfast bar with my ankle crossed over on my other ankle as I scroll through TikTok, acting as if I got dressed up for nothing. I’m wearing a slinky cobalt-blue dress with high, red-bottomed blue heels. My hair is down in tight curls across my shoulders, and I’m wearing very dark, dramatic makeup with a bright-red lip. Both my parents commented that I look lovely, but neither asked where I was going. Like Emery said she would, she sits on the other side of the bar, eating her popcorn as she scrolls through her phone. Mom and Dad are leaning against the counter, Mom with a glass of wine and Dad with a wineglass full of soda since he’s a recovering addict, as they talk about Aiden and Shelli’s baby gender reveal this weekend.