Chapter 33 #2
“Nothing crazy. I’m going out clubbing later,” I say with a shrug.
“That sounds fun,” Inès says, and Meghan nods enthusiastically.
“Oh, before I forget,” Meghan adds quickly, “I know it’s your day, but I need you to send me your address later. I have a package to send you, to formally ask you to be one of my bridesmaids!”
My jaw drops. “What? Are you kidding?! Oh my god, yes! I’d love to be your bridesmaid!” I squeal, already imagining the dress options. “Wait, does this mean you’ve finally picked a date?”
“Yep, June in Quebec,” she beams, and I swear I feel the joy radiating through the screen.
“Stop, I’m so excited, it’s going to be stunning.”
We spend a little longer catching up, swapping stories, gushing over baby Ethan, laughing like no time has passed. When the call finally ends, my heart feels full, and I’m still smiling as I stare at my screen.
A few hours later, I’ve showered, done my hair and makeup, and slipped into my go-to club outfit: a red, off-shoulder, backless bodycon dress with rhinestone chain straps. The hemline is daringly short, but it’s my birthday. I deserve to shine.
As I give myself one last twirl in the mirror, there’s a knock at the door.
I open it, expecting Dylan.
Instead, I freeze.
Standing there are Calvin and Desmond.
“What?” I gasp, before a grin overtakes my face. “You’re here?!”
I throw myself into Calvin’s arms. He catches me easily, strong hands bracing my back as I loop my arms around his neck, holding on like I never want to let go. His lips find mine, deep, warm, and achingly familiar. Home.
We’re so wrapped up in each other, we barely hear Desmond clearing his throat behind us.
Calvin reluctantly breaks the kiss, though his hands stay firm on my waist.
“I thought you had a business meeting in New York,” I say.
“You think I’d miss your 21st, Peach?” he teases, brushing his lips against mine again. “Not a chance.”
“I’m so happy you’re here,” I breathe.
“I’m here too, you know,” Desmond pipes up, arms spread. “Where’s my birthday hug?”
Calvin narrows his eyes. “You can wave at him from here,” he mutters, pulling me closer.
I roll my eyes and wriggle free. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
I hug Desmond, who, to piss his brother off, leans in and says, “Mmm. You smell good.”
“Fuck you,” Calvin snaps, not really mad, and tugs me back with a glare.
“You look insane in that dress,” Calvin says, his eyes roaming over me in a way that makes my skin tingle.
“Thank you.” My cheeks heating under his gaze.
Desmond clears his throat again, this time louder, and very much on purpose.
Calvin sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “Right, uh, forgot something in the car. Be right back.”
He steps out, leaving me alone with Desmond.
The room quiets, and when I glance at him, his usual teasing look has faded.
“You’re good for him,” he says.
I blink, caught off guard. We’ve never had a moment like this, just us.
“He’s never been like this with anyone else,” he continues.
“I’m sure that’s not—”
“No, it is,” he cuts in. “He’s had plenty of flings. Girlfriends, if you could call them that. But none of them ever made him light up the way you do. He’s… different now. Happier. He actually laughs like a real person.” Desmond chuckles under his breath. “It’s wild.”
A shy smile tugs at my lips. “I really love him,” I say.
“I know you do,” Desmond replies. “And he loves you. I know because no one knows my brother better than I do. Also, it’s literally all he talked about from New York to Paris. Do you know how long that flight is, Blair?” he asks, like he genuinely wants an answer.
I let out a soft laugh. “No.”
“Eight and a half hours, Blair. Eight. And the man usually doesn’t say more than ten words at a time.
But for eight straight hours, it was your laugh this, your smile that, how you scrunch your nose when you’re thinking too hard.
I was this close to jumping out of the plane,” he says, holding his fingers a sliver apart.
I laugh again, but this time there’s a blush creeping up my neck, and something softer curling in my chest.
“But seriously,” he adds, “thanks. For bringing that out of him.”
The words wrap around my heart like a hug. I swallow hard, trying to push past the lump forming in my throat. “That means a lot. Thank you.”
Desmond gives me a lopsided grin. “Yeah, well… don’t tell him I said any of this. I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”
I laugh, the warmth between us replacing all the earlier awkwardness.
When Calvin returns, he’s holding a large, wrapped box. He sets it on the dining table with a knowing grin that instantly piques my curiosity.
“Oh my god, what is it?” I gasp, my excitement bubbling over as I bounce on my toes.
“Open it,” he says, his grin widening.
I tear into the wrapping like a kid on Christmas morning, my hands trembling with excitement. The paper falls away, and I freeze, utterly speechless.
It’s a PFAFF Creative Icon sewing and embroidery machine, the exact one I’ve spent years dreaming of but could never afford.
“No way. No way!” I squeal, turning to him, my voice nearly a scream. “Calvin! Are you kidding me? This is insane. I love it. I love you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
I throw my arms around him, hugging him so tightly he lets out a soft laugh, his chest rumbling against mine. My excitement can’t be contained as I pepper his face with kisses, leaving him grinning from ear to ear.
“You deserve the world, baby.” His hands cup my cheeks as he pulls me into a deep, lingering kiss that leaves my heart fluttering.
From across the room, Desmond groans dramatically. “You two are disgusting.”
“Then don’t watch,” Calvin quips, shooting his brother a smug grin.
“I’m trying not to,” Desmond fires back. “You’re just making it impossible.”
I laugh, shaking my head, but there’s something I need to say, a weight pressing on my chest. I glance up at Calvin. “Hey, can we go to my room for a second? I need to tell you something.”
“Of course,” he replies, his smile slipping into something more serious. He points at Desmond on his way out. “Don’t touch anything.”
Desmond scoffs, leaning back lazily. “Man, get out of here with that nonsense.”
The moment we step into my room, the atmosphere shifts. I can sense Calvin’s unease before I even speak. His brows knit together as he closes the door behind him.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself.
“I’m only telling you this now because it’s my birthday, and I’m hoping you won’t be too mad at me today.”
Calvin’s frown deepens, but he stays quiet. That silence is sharper than any outburst. He’s waiting. Listening.
“Dylan moved back in with me,” I blurt, the words tumbling out like they’ve been shoved off a cliff. My pulse pounds in my ears as I brace myself.
I see the moment his jaw tightens, a flicker of something dangerous flaring in his eyes. “What do you mean, moved back in? Since when?”
“Since last week,” I say quietly.
“A whole week?” His voice is calm, too calm. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”
“I wanted to.” I rush the words, stumbling over them. “But we’ve both been so busy with school and work and… I thought I’d just tell you in person. It’s not a big deal, we were roommates before, remember?”
“Don’t play dumb, Blair. You had casual sex with him. And now he’s living in your apartment again. That’s not a big deal?”
I flinch, guilt rising hot in my chest.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I needed help with the rent. That’s all.”
“Don’t. Fucking. Piss me off.”
He steps closer, crowding into my space, and suddenly it’s hard to breathe.
“I gave you my Amex for a reason. If you needed something, you should’ve told me.
I’d pay your rent, your tuition, your goddamn groceries, whatever it takes.
But this?” He shakes his head, fury simmering beneath the surface. “This wasn’t your call to make alone.”
I swallow hard, heart pounding. I step closer, curling my arms around his waist, trying to ground him, ground us.
“I’m sorry, baby,” I murmur, looking up into his stormy gaze. “You’re right. I should’ve told you. But I’ve only got a few weeks left in this place, it doesn’t make sense to ask him to move now.”
Rising onto my tiptoes, I try to kiss him, but he doesn’t budge. He stands perfectly still, deliberately keeping himself just out of reach. My lips barely graze his beard.
“Please,” I whisper, pouting the way I know drives him crazy. “Don’t be mad.”
His eyes narrow, dark with something feral. Then, slowly, he lowers his head, just enough so his lips hover a breath away from mine. A wicked smirk curls across his mouth.
“No.”
I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes. “Calvin, come on… It’s my birthday.”
“You need to learn not to test me,” he murmurs. “Not with him. Not with anything. Now let’s go, before I decide to tie you down and fuck some sense into you.”
The threat sizzles through me like fire. And, like he’s reading my mind, he adds darkly, “Trust me, Peach. If I do that, you won’t be able to walk for a week after I’m done with you.”
I smirk, undeterred. “You’re only making it sound amazing, you know.”
He barks a laugh, his fury crumbling. “Let’s go, you little nymph.”
1 Hi.
2 Thank you.
3 Yes.