Page 175 of Collide

And damn it, it’s working.

Riley, ever the perceptive one, nudges me with her shoulder as we stroll past boutique windows, her smirk knowing. “I can hear you overthinking,” she teases.

I sigh, dragging a hand through my hair. “Something about her felt…off. Like it wasn’t just about Alex. She was setting something up.”

Riley hums, tapping her chin dramatically. “Yeah, well, the bitch is definitely calculating. But listen, babe, if she really had Alex, she wouldn’t have needed to come up to you like that. That was an intimidation move. Plain and simple.”

I want to believe her. I really do.

But my gut tells me this isn’t the last I’ll hear from Madison Walsh.

By the timethe sun dips below the horizon, streaks of gold and violet stretch across the sky. We’re back at the Montgomery Estate, where warm lantern light spills over manicured gardens.

The guys are already back from their adventures, looking spunky in relaxed button-downs and linen pants, lounging by the outdoor bar.

Alex’s gaze finds mine before he pulls me into an embrace, arms warm and familiar. “Hey,” he murmurs, voice low, dragging me out of the spiral. “How was your day?”

“It was good,” I say, but the words come out flat.

His smile falters—just slightly. So slight no one else would notice. But I do.

We settle by the pool, sliding into the rhythm of the group. Andrew and Broderick are deep in debate with Philippa and Sienna, laughter rising above the music. The taste of champagne still clings to my lips.

I want to melt into it. I want Madison’s words to vanish into the night air. But they cling to me.

Broderick throws a teasing remark my way. I don’t bite. His brow lifts in concern, but I dodge it, eyes fixed on the water or my drink or anything that isn’t him. Or Alex.

From the outside, the night is almost perfect. But under the glow of string lights and summer air, something simmers.

I feel it in the way Alex watches me between conversations, how his hand finds mine, squeezing gently, like he’s checking I’m still here. I am, though not really.

He finally pulls me aside, guiding me quietly through the house and into the dim hush of the library.

I know this won’t be sweet nothings.

The door clicks shut behind us.

“You’ve been weird all night,” Alex says, his voice clipped. The usual charm fades into something sharper. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on, or do I have to guess?”

I cross my arms, leaning back against the edge of the desk. “You really don’t know?”

His jaw tightens. “Enlighten me.”

I exhale slowly. “I ran into Madison today.”

Something flickers across his face. Not shock. Not guilt. Irritation. Like he already knows what’s coming.

“Let me guess.” He rubs a hand along his jaw, eyes narrowing. “She fed you some bullshit story about us?”

“She said she was your girlfriend.”

He lets out a dry laugh, shaking his head. “She’s not.”

“Then why does she think she is?”

He snaps, stepping closer. “Madison knows exactly what we were. She’s messing with you.”

“Then explain it to me.”