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Happy birthday, baby doll. I’d spend the day with you if I could, but we can celebrate tonight at my condo. I hope you have a fantastic day.
Of course, Ronin had to schedule some big shareholder event on my birthday which Ryann and Declan were forced to attend. With their dates.
He’s on a date. On my birthday. And yeah, I’m bitter.
It’s been over a month since we returned from New York, and it’s been amazing. I’ve spent almost every weekend at his place, and during the work week, I persuaded Carpenter to get Ryann’s coffee wrong just so he’d think of me. We created a routine, and it was easy to forget that this was all a secret.
Until today, when I realized he’d be standing by Olivia’s side in the open while I’m still hidden. And I can’t even complain because I’m the one who told him I’d be fine with it.
I’m really, really not fine with it.
Why do I keep doing this to myself?
“Alright, enough moping.” KC tosses a makeup brush onto the cluttered counter and pulls me out of the bathroom. “We’re going out to celebrate your birth, and we’re going to have a great time. Maybe even find you a boyfriend.”
“I don’t want a boyfriend.”
Carpenter chokes on the energy drink he’d been chugging when he sees us, slapping at his chest. “Holy fuck, you three look…Jesus.”
KC smirks, taking in his roommate’s tight shirt and jeans. “You’re not so bad yourself. Almost fuckable.”
“Almost?” Carpenter scowls at that.
“Yes, almost. The whole straight thing turns me off.”
Tina snorts, and they start bickering as we all squeeze into KC’s pink Volkswagen. Our destination isn’t far—just twenty minutes with traffic—but it feels much too short when we pull up to a stranger’s house swarming with people. My palms are damp, and a nervous flutter takes up residence in my gut as I watch the steady stream of bodies coming and going from the front door.
I hate parties. Why did I let them talk me into this?
Oh, right. Because, according to KC, a wild college party is a rite of passage, and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. I’d rather be curled up on Ryann’s new couch, laptop in hand, while he watches hot hockey players stretching on TV.
Carpenter snaps a group photo before we head inside, sending it to everyone’s phones. I stare at the image for a moment, zooming in on myself. I look… good, I guess, even if I’m the shortest one in the group. Would Ryann like my outfit?
Before I can second-guess myself, I text him the picture, adding a quick selfie of my face right after. As I lower my camera, I catch KC watching me, his eyes narrowed with interest.
“What?” I blink nervously.
“Was that Ryann you were just texting?” he asks quietly, trying to peek at my phone when I hide it behind my back.
“No.” Damn my squeaky voice.
“Uh-huh.” He rolls his eyes and starts weaving through the crowded front porch, the pungent smells of beer, sweat, and marijuana already making me gag. “I’m not stupid, Shi. You don’t have to lie to me.”
Stopping in my tracks, I grab his arm, biting my lip as he spins to face me. “I didn’t mean to lie. We’re just… it’s supposed to be a secret until he takes over for his dad.”
KC tilts his head, his sharp gaze studying me long enough to make my anxiety spike.
“Are you mad at me?”
“No, not at you,“ he answers, pursing his lips. “Ryann better watch his coffee, though. I can’t believe he’s keeping you in the closet.”
“Just for a few months,” I rush defensively, feeling my cheeks heat. “Only until May. When he’s CEO, he won’t have to do what Ronin tells him anymore.”
KC scoffs, shaking his head as he turns back around. “That sounds like bullshit to me. But hey, it’s your life, Shilo. Just doesn’t sound like you’re much of a priority.”
His words hit harder than I expect, and as I follow him into the house, I glare at the floor, trying to shake them off. I told Ryann I’d be willing to wait, but…KC has a point.
The house is fairly large, at least three stories, and heavy bass shakes the walls. I wonder how many neighbors are probably complaining about the noise. I would be.
