Jackie was livid.
She had spent days sucking up to Maya's father, trying to get him to take her to this big-deal business event. She had smiled, played the part of the perfect daughter-to-be, even batted her lashes like some helpless little girl. And for what?
To watch Maya Sanclaire out in an expensive designer dress, on his arm, while she was left behind like a discarded afterthought?
Unacceptable.
Jackie had barely managed to hold back her rage as Maya's father and his precious daughter left. She stomped into her bedroom, furious, ready to throw something.
Then she remembered Vic.
With shaking fingers, she dialed his number.
"Jackie?" Vic answered lazily, like he had all the time in the world.
"Where are you?" she snapped.
Vic chuckled. "Going to some business thing with my dad. Boring as hell, but, you know. Obligations."
Jackie's heart stopped. A business event?
Her grip on the phone tightened. "What kind of event?"
Vic yawned. "Dunno. Just some rich people's thing. It's at the Thompsons' estate. Apparently, it's also Eddie's birthday party."
Jackie froze. The Thompsons? Eddie's birthday?
Her mind worked fast.
Someone from the Thompson Group had dropped off an invitation at her house earlier, but she hadn't paid much attention. If this was Eddie's party, then—
Her lips curled into a smirk.
She was going.
Maya was not expecting this.
When she had agreed to go with her father, she thought it was just another boring networking event—dinner, wine, old men talking about stocks.
But the moment she stepped into the grand ballroom, her breath caught.
This wasn't just some business function. This was a party.
And not just any party.
Eddie's birthday party.
The realization hit like a slap.
No. Freaking. Way.
The room was packed with familiar faces. Her classmates. The entire school, practically. People from all cliques, standing in clusters, laughing, drinking from elegant glasses. There were even a few teachers lingering at the bar.
Her hands clenched into fists. Why had Eddie invited everyone but her?
Her frustration almost overshadowed how utterly stunning she looked. Almost.
The golden chandeliers reflected off her shimmering designer dress, hugging her body in all the right places. Her makeup was flawless, her hair cascading in soft waves over her shoulders. She knew—knew—she was turning heads.
Good.
Let them look. Let him look.
She scanned the room, spotting a familiar face by the bar. Zeke.
She made her way toward him, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
"Well, well," she purred, tilting her head. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Zeke smirked, taking a slow sip of his drink. "Didn't expect you either. Thought the birthday boy had something against you."
Her smile didn't waver, but inside, her irritation flared.
"Oh, I plan on discussing that with him," she said sweetly.
Zeke let out a low chuckle. "Poor guy."
She was about to respond when she spotted Luna and Sally across the room. Relief flooded her—finally, some people she actually wanted to see.
She made her way over, looping an arm through Luna's. "You two didn't tell me you were coming."
Sally blinked. "Maya, everyone is here."
Luna grinned. "And you look like you're about to kill someone."
Her smile tightened. "Oh, I'm just dying to know—how did Jackie get an invite?"
As if summoned by sheer spite, Jackie appeared, sipping a glass of champagne like she owned the place.
Maya turned, her eyes narrowing. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Jackie smirked. "Enjoying the party, of course."
Maya folded her arms. "Who let you in?"
Jackie feigned innocence. "The Thompsons, obviously. Unlike you, I was personally invited."
Her stomach twisted.
She inhaled sharply, keeping her voice calm. "That's funny. Because I wasn't."
Jackie's smirk widened. "Oof. That must hurt."
She was two seconds away from throwing hands, but then she saw him.
Eddie.
Standing in a corner, dressed in an unfairly tailored black suit, talking business with his father. Looking… different. Confident. Sharp.
And not even sparing her a glance.
Her anger exploded.
Maya stormed across the ballroom, her heels clicking furiously against the marble floor as she made a beeline for Eddie.
"Are you serious?" she snapped the moment she reached him.
Eddie barely looked at her. "Maya."
"Don't 'Maya' me," she hissed. "You invited Jackie but not me, I didn't think you were serious about the pretend you don't know me situation ?"
Eddie exhaled sharply, finally meeting her gaze. His green eyes were unreadable, but she could see the irritation lurking beneath.
"If it were up to me, you know damn well it would be you and me."
Maya froze.
Her heart skipped, and for the first time tonight, she had no clever comeback.
"What did you just say?" she asked, staring at him.
Eddie's eyes widened slightly, as if realizing the words that had just left his mouth. His jaw tensed, and before she could press him further, he quickly added, "And Zeke, obviously. You and me and Zeke."
Maya arched a brow. "Right. You, me, and Zeke."
Eddie looked away. "Exactly."
Eddie crossed his arms. " Plus my mom handled the invitations. She wanted you here more than anyone else ."
Maya blinked, thrown off. "What?"
Before Eddie could respond, his mother's voice rang out behind them.
"Maya, sweetheart!"
Maya turned just as Mrs. Thompson appeared, smiling warmly.
"I'm so happy you're here," she gushed, taking Maya's hands. "I made sure to send your invitation personally!"
Maya's stomach twisted. If Eddie's mother had sent it, that meant—
Jackie hadn't been lying.
Maya's face burned, but she masked it with a tight smile.
"That's… really sweet of you," she said carefully.
Eddie ran a hand through his hair, looking away.
Mrs. Thompson beamed. "Come, dear, I want you to meet my husband."
Maya hesitated, glancing back at Eddie, who was watching her closely.
"Go," he muttered. "We'll talk later."
She didn't know why that annoyed her so much.
She followed Mrs. Thompson downstairs, where Mr. Thompson was engaged in conversation with her father. The two men turned when they approached, and Maya caught the approving look Mr. Thompson gave her.
Mrs. Thompson smiled. "Darling, wouldn't Maya make a lovely addition to the family?"
Maya almost choked.
Her father smiled wildly .
Mr. Thompson chuckled. "Your daughter is quite the young lady. It would be a pleasure to have her in our family someday."
Maya had no idea if that meant business connections or something worse.
Before she could dwell on it, something—or rather, someone—caught her eye.
Jackie.
Standing across the room, swirling her champagne, grinning like she owned the place.
Maya excused herself and walked straight up to her.
Jackie's smirk widened. "Enjoying the party?"
Maya's eyes narrowed. "How did you get in seriously ?"
Jackie laughed. "Why does it matter? I'm here, aren't I?"
Maya clenched her teeth.
And then, as if this night couldn't get worse—
"Maya."
She turned and found Vic standing behind her, his usual lazy smirk in place.
Of course.
"Not now, Vic," she said, waving him off.
Vic ignored her. "You look stunning tonight."
Eddie saw.
His expression darkened as he watched Vic lean in, his voice dropping. "Come on, let's talk."
Eddie had enough.
"She's busy," he said flatly, stepping between them.
Vic raised a brow. "Relax, nerd. Didn't know she had a babysitter now."
Eddie's jaw clenched. "Leave. Now."
Maya smirked, watching Eddie's anger boil over. Oh, this was fun.
Vic, ever the troublemaker, leaned closer. "You still haven't answered me, Maya."
Eddie snapped.
Without thinking, he grabbed her wrist, pulling her away from Vic.
She let him.
And, oh, did Vic not like that.