"What did you guys do?" Sorcha asked, eyeing her grinning friends with growing suspicion.
"Oh, it's nothing," Celestial said, far too innocently, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
Ava, unable to contain herself, waved Sorcha's phone triumphantly in the air. "Except that we may have helped you reply to your sweetheart's text."
Sorcha's eyes widened in horror. "You what?"
She lunged forward, snatching the phone from Ava's hand. Her heart dropped as her gaze landed on the screen.
Karios's message: Let's pretend last night never happened.
And just below it—her friends' handiwork: No, I can't. I want more of what happened last night.
"Oh my God," Sorcha groaned, burying her face in her hands. "You didn't…"
"But we did," Celestial said sweetly, not the least bit remorseful.
Ava flopped dramatically onto the bed, grinning. "Honestly, you should be thanking us. We're speeding up your love life!"
Sorcha peeked through her fingers, but her gaze drifted back to Karios's message. It didn't sound like his usual dismissiveness. Normally, he would just ignore her—act like nothing ever happened. But the fact that he texted at all… Did he feel guilty? Or had they really crossed some unspoken line?
As her thoughts spiraled, she looked up—and instantly regretted it.
Both Ava and Celestial were watching her like hawks, barely containing their excitement.
"So?" Eva wiggled her eyebrows. "Why don't you tell us what really happened last night?"
"Yes!" Celestial elbowed her. "Spill it. Don't let us die of curiosity."
"I—it was nothing," Sorcha began, brushing her hair behind her ear, trying to deflect.
Ava sat up straight, pointing a finger. "Don't you dare say it was nothing."
"Seriously," Celestial added, arms crossed. "You made him your wallpaper, Sorcha. And that text? That wasn't just 'oops, I brushed his arm.' We're not fools."
"We're your best friends," Ava said, leaning forward with a teasing grin. "So. Start talking."
"Okay, fine—I'll talk," Sorcha said, rolling her eyes in surrender.
Her friends leaned in, grinning like cats that'd cornered a mouse.
"But there's not really much to talk about," she added quickly, waving her hands in the air. "I mean, it's just been me crushing on him and, you know… trying to seduce him while he acts like I'm invisible."
Ava gasped dramatically. "Girl—!"
Sorcha covered her face, her cheeks turning red. "Well… that was until last night. Things kind of… got heated."
"Oh, you bad girl!" Ava shrieked, swatting Sorcha's hands playfully. "Now you have to tell us everything."
"Come on, don't stop there!" Celestial bounced on the bed, eyes wide with curiosity. "Spill the rest!"
"There's not much else," Sorcha said with a nervous laugh. "Except this morning he's back to acting like nothing happened. I mean, he wouldn't even look at me. I'm surprised he even sent that text."
Ava leaned back, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "So let me get this straight—you've been crushing on him, trying to get his attention, he finally responds last night... then today he's ignoring you again?"
Sorcha nodded.
Ava tapped her chin. "Hmm… maybe he's feeling guilty. Like, maybe he thinks he crossed a line with you—and betrayed your dad, since they're best friends."
Celestial nodded in agreement. "Makes sense."
Sorcha frowned. "But if that's how he felt, why send that message at all? He usually just pretends nothing happened."
"Well," Ava said, sitting up straighter, "maybe because this time was different. You said it's the first time things really escalated. Maybe he was trying to set a boundary, like… making sure you didn't think it meant more."
Sorcha sighed and nodded slowly. "Yeah… maybe."
Celestial suddenly perked up. "Wait—this morning. You were practically glowing! Why were you so happy?"
"Oh, that?" Sorcha broke into a grin. "Guess what, girls? My dad is traveling tomorrow—with Karios's wife."
Her friends froze.
"And guess who'll be staying alone with Karios at his place while they're gone?"
A beat of stunned silence.
"You?" Ava whispered, eyes widening.
"Me!" Sorcha said, squealing.
Celestial shrieked and lunged for her, wrapping her in a hug. "No wonder you were so damn happy!"
Ava joined in, laughing. "Karios is so in trouble. You naughty, naughty little girl."
"Don't worry—we'll help you pack," Celestial said, springing to her feet.
"Yes!" Ava chimed in with a mischievous grin. "We're here to make sure Karios won't be able to resist you once you step into that house."
The sun poured through Sorcha's bedroom window, casting a golden glow across the mess of half-packed clothes and scattered shoes. She sat cross-legged on the floor, staring at the pile like it had personally offended her.
"Girl, you're not wearing this, are you?" Ava held up a tiny crop top, one brow arched in mock horror.
Sorcha snorted. "What's wrong with it?"
"It screams 'I'm trying too hard,'" Celestial said, plucking a breezy sundress from the bed. She twirled it dramatically. "Now this says 'I woke up flawless.' Perfect for casual seduction."
They all dissolved into laughter.
The afternoon unfolded in a blur of giggles and organized chaos. The girls moved like a team on a mission—folding clothes, debating outfits, stuffing makeup into neatly labeled pouches. Every so often, they'd break into a reenactment of Sorcha and Karios's imaginary love saga, complete with bad accents and over-the-top dramatics.
By the time the sky blushed orange outside the window, the suitcase was packed—color-coded and pristine, thanks to Celestial's obsession with "travel aesthetics."
They collapsed on the bed, sharing snacks and conspiratorial whispers.
"What if he kisses you again?" Celestial asked, nudging Sorcha with her elbow.
"Or what if you walk out of that house a whole woman?" Ava added, wiggling her brows.
Sorcha rolled her eyes, but the grin tugging at her lips betrayed her excitement.
Downstairs, the front door creaked open.
"That's Dad," Sorcha said, sitting up. Her friends took the cue, stretching and gathering their things.
Damien's voice drifted up the stairs, and moments later, they headed down. After warm hugs, teasing winks, and one last "good luck," Ava and Celestial slipped out the door.
Not long after, the doorbell rang again.
Karios stood at the door, looking as composed as ever. Beside him, Elena wrestled with a sleek travel bag.
"Hey," Sorcha said, stepping aside. "Come in."
Soon they were all gathered around the dining table, the scent of food filling the house. Laughter and casual chatter wrapped around them like a soft blanket.
"You'll be fine," Karios said to Damien, lifting his glass slightly. "We've got things covered here."
Elena leaned toward karios, her smile fond. "Let's just hope the flight isn't delayed."
Sorcha grinned. "Or that you don't forget your glasses. Again."
Damien gave her a dramatic glare while the table erupted in laughter.
After dinner, they all stood to clean up. Sorcha began stacking plates, but Elena intercepted her.
"I've got this one. Let me help tonight," she said, already moving toward the sink.
Damien excused himself with a yawn, heading upstairs to double-check his luggage. Karios followed, stretching as he disappeared down the hallway toward the guest room.
Sorcha stayed in the kitchen doorway, half-hidden in the warm shadows. Elena hummed softly as she rinsed the dishes, her movements relaxed. The house had quieted, the buzz of the evening settling into stillness.
Sorcha's gaze drifted toward the hallway.
Karios was alone now. In his room. Her pulse quickened.
She didn't think—she just felt.
Maybe it was reckless. Maybe it was foolish. But standing there, heart thudding and breath shallow, Sorcha made a decision she couldn't unmake.
Without a word, she turned and followed him.