Page 209 of Blackwood

Bella walks back over, arms full of flowers, shoulders tense like she doesn’t know what to do with any of it, herself included.

“You okay, sweetheart?” I ask, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

She nods. “Yeah. It’s just… awkward. Talking to him.”

Lex and I both go still.

“I don’t know,” she continues. “It’s weird. He says all the right things, but I still feel like I have to put on a mask around him. Like I can’t be myself. It feels like a weird first date or something.”

Lex groans. “Baby, please don’t talk about dating your dad. It makes me want to punch things.”

She laughs and leans in, pressing a kiss to his cheek. He lets out a soft grunt and slides an arm around her waist, tugging her in as close as the flowers will allow.

“But,” she says, tilting her head, “since he’s trying to win theDad of the Year Award, he offered to let us use The Obsidian for my birthday. He said what’s his is mine. So, anytime I want to use it, or NOX, I can. Just have to say the word.”

Ellie overhears and shrieks, “Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up! Are you serious?!”

Bella laughs. “Yeah, so… I guess you should probably get planning.”

“AHHHH!” Ellie spins in a full circle like her soul just left her body.

Lex grins. “Careful, Barbie. You’re gonna pull a hamstring.”

“Excuse you,” Ellie gasps, fanning herself dramatically. “This is history in the making, Lex.”

Bella arches a brow, fighting a smile. “So, you’re in?”

“In?” Ellie grabs her phone like it’s a weapon. “I’m already texting Knox. We need lighting, fog machines, stage setups, security, costumes, backup dancers. Oh! And we need strip—

“Whoa.” I lift a hand. “Can we maybe not have strippers at the party my girlfriend is starring in?”

“Ugh,” Ellie shrugs. “Fine. Sexy firemen then.”

Lex snorts. “Better. Less competition.”

“Ah! Bells, we are so going to do some Taylor performances.”

“No, we are not,” Bella says dryly.

“Oh, come on!” Ellie throws her hands up. “You and I both know two things.”

She ticks them off on her fingers. “One, some of your best, and I mean best dances are to Taylor Swift songs. ThatMidnight Raincontemporary on the rain stage with Josh? Perfection. Literal goosebumps every time. It’s probably going to win you two a world championship one day.”

Then she leans closer, lowering her voice like she’s sharing state secrets. “And two, you are a closet Swiftie. Don’t even try to deny it. I saw your face in New Orleans last October at her concert. The lights, the dancing, the friendship bracelets,” she gasps. “You ate it up, babe. Ate. It. Up.”

“Okay, fine,” Bella says, sighing. “We can do one Taylor song.One.But no, and I mean no, rain stage at my party, El.”

“Ugh! Why not?” Ellie whines.

“Because I’d rather not be dripping wet at my own party,” she shoots back.

Bella catches Lex’s smirk forming. “Don’t say it, Lex. I swear to God, do not fucking say it.”

We all start laughing.

“Aww, baby, you know me so well.”

“Wait, what about The Row’s party that night?” I ask.