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Ada shrugged. “If your uncle says it’s okay.” Once again, she kept her eyes glued to Brooklyn.
“Go for it,” Arlo answered.
Ada shot Arlo a death stare as she turned to walk away. She forced herself to ignore his piercing green eyes.He’s really going to act like everything is fine between us?
As she walked away, she heard Chase ask Arlo, “Whoa, what’s that about?” When she and Brooklyn rounded the corner, she paused slightly so that she could listen in.
Arlo responded, “Ah… I sort of stood her up last year.”
“What?” Maggie objected. “I thought you said you texted her, but she never replied back.”
Arlo defended himself. “That part is true. We hit it off at The Break’s homeless benefit where Chase proposed to you. We planned to go out to dinner the next night, but that afternoon I found out I got the gig in London. I was tied up on the phone for hours and totally lost track of time. When I texted to apologize for not making it, she never responded.”
Chase mumbled, “And that’s how the grinch’s heart became three sizes too small.”
Ada closed her eyes. The night she and Arlo met one year ago came crashing back to her mind…
“Excuse me!” Ada elbowed her way through the crowd at The Break, a Santa Monica music venue and bar.
“Ada!” Maggie reached out to hug her. “You came!”
“Of course I came. Can’t let you leave for Minnesota without one last look at me.” She twirled in a circle while her bright pink cocktail dress flared.
Immediately, a guy standing next to Maggie reached over with his hand outstretched. “Hey.”
Ada lifted an eyebrow. “And you are?”
Maggie grinned, “Ada, this is Chase’s roommate, Arlo. He organized the performers and is emceeing the fundraiser tonight.”
She slowly extended her hand. Then she whispered to Maggie. “So, he’snice?” Ada had a hard time believing such guys existed in Los Angeles.
“I don’t know him that well, but he seems decent. Maybe you should give him a shot.”
Arlo cut in. “Can I get you a drink, Ada?”
Ada gave Maggie a side-eyed smirk. “I’d love a drink.”
After chatting briefly, Arlo asked her to dance—as if he wasn’t attractive enough with his flowing sun streaked hair and impressive physique. But, it wasn’t just Arlo’s light, easy smile and broad shoulders that had drawn her to him. It was the way he leaned in when she spoke. The way he had taken her aside and asked about her interests. He had made her feel seen. Most of all, when they parted that night, he had kissed her hand—like she was a freaking princess who deserved the world. That kiss lit a spark in Ada, which had made her hopeful for the first time in forever.
Maggie’s voice snapped her back to the present moment, back to her reality of eavesdropping. “This week was supposed to be fun and low key… just a holiday hangout with a group of friends.” After a brief pause, Maggie continued, “It’ll be fine, Arlo. I’ll talk to Ada. And then, I’m sure if you explain what happened, she’ll understand.”
Ada opened her eyes and threw her shoulders back.Shake it off, girl. It was his loss.
“Ah! My nails are fire!! Thank you!” Brooklyn took a photo of her manicured hand. Then she leaned in to Ada and said, “Hold up your gorg nails and smile!”
After clicking a few times, Brooklyn tapped on her phone. “Gotta send these pics to my BFFs!”
“Your nails look great!” Maggie appeared, leaning against the door frame. “Ada, could I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure.” Ada internally cringed.I bet I can guess what this is about…She stood and followed Maggie into her bedroom.
After closing the door behind them, Maggie sat on the bed and peered up at Ada. “That was really sweet of you to paint Brooklyn’s nails, but don’t you think your reaction to Arlo’s arrival was a little harsh?”
Ada sat down next to her. “When the guy who ghosted you shows up at your Airbnb, whatisthe proper reaction?”
Maggie bumped Ada’s shoulder gently. “Why didn’t you tell me what happened?”
“You and Chase had just gotten engaged. I didn’t want to bring you down with my depressing love life.”
