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“By the way, I totally knew what noise you meant. I just wanted to hear you make it.” She chuckles, popping another piece of fruit into her mouth. I roll my eyes and take a sip of my smoothie.

“But I do love it when he does that,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows.

“The whole building knows you love it,” I say, slamming my glass down on the counter.

“The whole building knows you love what?.” Harry says, sleepily running a hand through his hair and coming up behind Ali and wraps his arms around her waist, kissing her cheek and a pang of jealously hits me, not of them, but of what they have.

“That thing you do when I make that noise.”

“Oh, you mean when I put my finger in your—”

“Harry! Please,” I yell, far louder than needed. “I don’t need the details. Hearing it is bad enough.”

Ali flattens her mouth and tries to stifle a laugh and Harry grins. “Sounds like you need a finger up…”

I stick my fingers in my ears and begin yelling, “La la la. I can’t hear you.” I pull my fingers out my ears and they are both staring at me like I am some sort of wild animal.

“Yes, well thank you both for scarring me for life,” I tease. “I’m going to get on with my day.”

“Are you bringing Patrick tonight?” Ali asks.

“Ummm, no, I think he’s busy,” I lie. I haven’t even asked, because why would I? This whole fake boyfriend thing isexhausting, but I need him to secure his job and then I can cut ties.

Ali just nods, accepting my lie.

“Oh, can you swing by the club today. We have the files ready that you requested.” Harry asks, taking some fruit and eating it.

“Yeah, sure,” I say.

Harry begins nuzzling Ali’s neck and she giggles. I’m so happy for them and though I tease them, I’m so pleased they found their way to each other.

“I’ll leave you both to it,” I say, scooping up my smoothie and head to my bedroom, a mixture of anxiety and excitement brewing inside me, hoping today is the day I see Brad.

My phone rings out and I have to move the pile of dresses I laid out to try on for tonight’s party. I find it and groan when I see Patrick’s name. I swipe the screen and bring it to my ear.

“Yes,” I say. We don’t even greet each other now.

“I need you to be at a dinner tonight.” His tone is demanding.

“I can’t. I have an event to go to.”

“Well cancel. This is with my parents. They want you to come to dinner.”

I roll my eyes in frustration. “I’m sorry. Can you make it another time? It’s a big deal for Ali. I can’t miss it. Look, tell your parents I’m sorry, and I’ll see if I can get my parents to do one of their dinner parties and invite your parents.

“Okay, deal.”

He hangs up, and I toss the phone on the bed. I don’t think I’ve met a bigger prick in my life. I can’t wait to get shot of him. I’ve been so close to coming clean to my parents. I mean I haven’t worked at the club in months, but every time I picture their disapproving looks, I think better of it.

I flop back on my bed, stare up at the ceiling, and mentally prepare myself for tonight to see him. My heart races, hands tingling at the thought of being able to see him, touch him, feelhis presence. I’ve missed it all. I scan my room and the red dress from LA hangs over my door I had a bold idea I could wear it tonight. I know Brad loves it, but I think I need something more low key. I don’t want to draw attention and cause any chaos tonight.

Chapter Forty Nine

Brad

I landed back in New York last night after over a month in LA, and it’s exactly what I needed. I flew in so I could be here for Ali’s campaign party. I know this is a big deal for her and after everything she’s been through. I want to show up for her.

I needed to escape the city and my troubles. I’ve been my version of sober for over two months, and though I’ll never fully be able to let go of my habits because they keep me in check, I’m not as regimented, and it was Gabriella who showed me that life doesn’t have to be kept to a schedule. That sometimes just being in the moment and letting life flow is okay.