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I chewed on my bottom lip. Having a studio space at my temporary residence would be helpful.

Vanessa:Are you sure?

Attikus:I wouldn’t offer if I weren’t.

Vanessa:Bring a truck because I have large canvases.

Attikus:Got it.

A small smile slid onto my lips as I stared at my phone. We already sounded like a couple. It baffled me how we had eased into this “relationship” so naturally.

I placed a few pairs of shoes into a duffle bag and realized I didn’t need to bring so many. I wasn’t going anywhere fancy, so one casual pair of shoes and sneakers would suffice. My phone buzzed again, and my heart leaped, thinking it was Attikus. But it was the girls.

Elena:What happened?

I knew they would eventually find out about Attikus and me. I might as well inform them now. But what could I tell them?

I walked over to the couch, dropped onto the cushion, and stared at the messages.

Vivian:What’s going on?

Audri:We just saw the post!

Michelle:Is it true?

Natalie:Why didn’t you tell us?

Kiera: Give us the deets!

Chatting with them would give my mind a rest.

Nessa:It’s complicated.

Kiera:Don’t give us that and expect us to stop. (eye roll emoji)

Vivian:Tell us! I’m dying to know.

Elena:Are you attracted to him?

I smiled at Elena’s message. She was trying to help me out.

Nessa: I am. But he doesn’t know that.

Audri:So how did he become your fiancé?

Natalie:Is there a hidden agenda here?

Michelle:Do you need our help with anything?

Elena:The more heads, the better we can think.

Audri:Girls! We need a girls’ evening out!

Kiera:Time for SSG!

Nessa:What’s that?

Kiera:It’s when we help you get your happily ever after.