Page 135 of The Good Girl Effect

“Me too.” She giggles as she looks up at me. “Let’s go home.”

Rule #46: There’s only this moment.

Camille

I’m standing by Jack’s side as he rings the doorbell. His hand winds around my waist, and I glance up at him with love in my eyes. This is really happening. We’re actually doing this.

It’s not quite the same as announcing our relationship at a sex club. This is showing his friends and family that we are a real couple, not a nanny or a sub or anything like that. I’m his girlfriend, and we are in love.

This isn’t Legacy. This is Julian and Amelia’s parents’ home for the Christmas Eve party.

The door opens a moment later, and a beautiful blond woman who looks like the spitting image of Amelia opens the door. She has long, platinum hair and stunning blue eyes and doesn’t look nearly old enough to have kids Julian and Amelia’s age.

“It’s Jack!” she calls, rushing toward him and pulling him into a tight hug.

After the hug, he places a comforting hand at the small of my back. “Daisy, this is my girlfriend, Camille.”

“Of course!” she calls out excitedly. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“And what about me?” Bea asks from my side.

“Buzz, buzz, little Bea,” Daisy says, kneeling down to tap her on the nose. “How could I forget you? Want to come inside and help me put up the Nativity?”

Bea nods excitedly. Daisy takes her hand, and they scurry off together, leaving Jack and I to walk into the party alone. There is already a crowd of people here, and I know just about everyone.

We’re greeted by Phoenix, Amelia, Weston, and even the bartender, Geo, who owns the bar down the street from the club. Matis is standing near the fireplace with another older gentleman, who I assume is Julian and Amelia’s much older father, Ronan.

When I hear a shrieking sound, I freeze in place. A moment later, Elizabeth nearly knocks me over as she tackles me with a hug.

Getting an abrasive hug from just anyone would be shocking, but to get one from Elizabeth is even more so.

“Relax, Lizzie,” Jack says as he takes my hand.

She grabs my shoulders, and I can tell immediately that she’s even tipsier than when we shared a bottle of wine.

“I knew he’d get his shit together,” she says before punching her brother in the arm. Then she turns toward me and smiles. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Who let her near the eggnog?” Jack asks with a laugh.

“Don’t judge me,” she argues, trying to keep up her mean facade and failing. “I’m celebrating.”

Phoenix approaches us and gives me a hug. “I’m glad you’re here,” she says.

“What happened to her?” Jack asks, glancing at his sister.

Phoenix only shrugs. “One thing about Elizabeth is she only lets loose around people she trusts, and I think she’s just happy to have everyone together.”

“Yeah, it is nice,” Jack adds. “Too bad your sister couldn’t make it.”

“You have a sister?” I ask, glancing at the redhead.

She smirks. “Yeah, a twin sister, not identical.”

Jack chuckles. “They couldn’t be more different.”

“She and her boyfriend, Liam, are backpacking through Europe somewhere. I was hoping they’d make it here by Christmas, but I guess not.”

Elizabeth rejoins the conversation, handing me a glass of champagne. Glancing around the room, I realize how lucky these people are to have each other. I had only one person in my family, and when I lost him, I felt so alone in the world. I tried not to let it show, and I did my best to build armor around myself so I never had to feel that loneliness.