Page 85 of Mutual Discord

“Caitlin,” I cried, my mind whirling as panic flooded through every cell in my body. “What are you doing here?”

Sneaking past me into the house, my friend removed her sunglasses and set them on the console table by the door. Stripping off her coat, Caitlin tossed it on the rack and then toed off her shoes.

“After the Vogue party last night—” She frowned, glancing over her shoulder at me as she walked into the kitchen. “Well, this morning, I decided I wanted to get to Arizona as quickly as possible. So I caught an earlier flight.”

I hustled after her, smoothing down my curls and twisting them together over my shoulder. “How much sleep have you managed?”

“A few hours on the plane.” Caitlin took out the coffee and filters from a cabinet and measured and poured the grounds for a pot. “I’m running on fumes right now.”

“I’m sure,” I mumbled, holding my robe tight across my chest. “If I had known you were coming early, I would have picked you up from the airport.”

“I know you would have, and that’s why I didn’t tell you.” Caitlin leaned forward and braced her elbows on the counter as her gaze raked over me. “It looks like last night was fun.”

Dropping my chin to my chest, I winced. “Is it that obvious?”

Caitlin snickered. “I’m just glad you had a good time.”

When the coffee was ready, Caitlin poured us each a cup and we sat at my small kitchen table, where she shared all the details from the Vogue party. I did my best to pay attention, but my leg bounced up and down under the table and my pulse raced so quickly I felt a tad lightheaded. It was imperative that I got Caitlin out of here so Alex could leave without being seen. Staring into my coffee, I wondered if he’d heard Caitlin already and was hiding in the bedroom. I could hope.

“…so it was an amazing experience and my agent is going to be thrilled with the contacts I’ve made.” Caitlin looked at me over her coffee cup. “So tell me how last night went. Camila and her boyfriend were there, right?”

“Yeah, they flew in from California to spend time with Alex. And you, I’m sure,” I added.

Caitlin’s nose crinkled but immediately smoothed as she smiled. “Well, I’m looking forward to meeting them. From what Alex has said, Camila’s a firecracker.”

“To him she is, but then he deserves it.” I snorted. “I’m sure she’ll love you.”

“Well, even if she doesn’t, no worries. She lives in California anyway.”

A frown tugged at my lips, but I fought against it. Instead, I cleared my throat. “So I was thinking we can grab brunch at that little spot you like near Mill—”

“Will we be able to get a table?”

“Any ASU students still in town will be sleeping, so we won’t have to compete with them for a table.” I flicked my hand dismissively. I would have said anything in that moment to get Caitlin out of the house. “I can get changed and be ready in ten. Does that work?”

Caitlin shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee. “Absolutely. I haven’t eaten since last night, so I’m famished.”

“Okay.” I pushed back my chair, ignoring how the screeching sound echoed in the small kitchen. “I’ll go change and be right out.”

Rising to my feet, I turned to leave and ran directly into Alex. He grasped my shoulders to balance me and then his gaze strayed to a spot behind me. “Oh, hey, Caitlin. I didn’t know you were here.”

Surely now would be when my heart spasmed and then stopped beating completely, releasing me from this horror unfolding before me. Yet I watched, terrified, as Caitlin’s blue eyes went wide as they took in Alex and then darted to me.

“Alex, what are you doing here? Were you Sofia’s designated driver last night?” she asked, her gaze ping-ponging between the two of us.

Inexplicably, a pleased smile illuminated Alex’s entire face and Caitlin’s jaw dropped.

“Oh. My. God. Did it finally happen?”

Confusion crashed over me like a tsunami and threatened to pull me under when Alex looped an arm around my waist and nestled me into his side.

“She was more than worth the wait,” he murmured, kissing my temple.

“Yay!” Caitlin cried, clapping her hands as she bounced in her seat. “I can’t think of a better way to start the new year than to see you two together.”

What is happening?

I stumbled away from Alex, skirting around a chair and gripping the seat back with both hands. Hysteria surged up my throat, and I swallowed convulsively. Eventually, I glanced at Caitlin. “I don’t understand. Aren’t you upset?”