14.

My heart stopped for a second.

“Oh my God,” Elara whisper-screamed, gripping my wrist. “This is like straight-up forbidden romance fanfic level of drama! I knew there was something there!”

“No,” I said quickly, locking my phone. “There is nothing there.”

Elara scoffed. “You’re so full of shit.”

“I’m blocking him,” I said, my thumb hovering over his contact.

“Don’t you dare!” she gasped, grabbing my phone like it was a national treasure.

“Give it back, Elara!” I lunged for it, but she dodged expertly, holding the phone above her head.

“Evie, let’s be logical,” she said, twirling away from me. “This is Ryder Freaking Caldwell. The hottest, most unattainable guy at Ravencrest, and he is texting you. Asking for tit pics, no less. Like, are you hearing yourself? You’re about to ruin something beautiful.”

I groaned, trying again to snatch my phone back. “I don’t want something beautiful! I want peace!”

She gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. “Peace is overrated. Horny stepbrothers are not.”

“Elara!” I lunged again, this time managing to yank my phone from her hands. “I’m blocking him.”

“No, you are not,” she hissed, gripping my wrist in a death grip.

“Yes, I am!”

“You’re such a menace,” she whined, trying to snatch it back.

We were literally wrestling over my phone in the middle of the coffee shop, earning weird looks from customers. One guy looked way too invested, but I didn’t have time to care.

“Elara, stop!” I gritted out.

“Just let me protect this potential smutty love story—”

“No! Let me breathe without you trying to turn my life into a W*****d novel—”

A loud ahem interrupted our ridiculous battle.

We froze mid-struggle, both of us panting, and turned toward the source of the interruption.

Elara’s manager stood behind the counter, unimpressed, arms crossed. “Elara, your shift started five minutes ago.”

Elara groaned dramatically, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Ugh. Back to boring job. Boring clothes.”

I grinned in victory, sticking my tongue out at her. “I win.”

She narrowed her eyes. “This isn’t over, Evie. Mark my words.”

“We will see later, warrior.”

Elara groaned dramatically, rolling her eyes as she grabbed a notepad from behind the counter. “Go before I throw hot coffee at you.”

I laughed, slipping my phone into my bag as I left the coffee shop. But as soon as I stepped outside, my fingers itched to check my messages.

I pulled my phone out, staring at Ryder’s last text.

I hope you save the number this time.

My stomach did that annoying flip thing again, and before I could talk myself out of it, I typed back.

Maybe. Should I?

I hit send and immediately regretted it.

Why did I say that? What if he didn’t answer? What if—

Another ping.

You tell me, Evie. But if you don’t, that means I’ll just have to find other ways to get your attention.

I swallowed, my fingers tightening around my phone.

Other ways?

The three dots appeared instantly.

Maybe I show up at your dorm. Or maybe I find you in the library, corner you between the bookshelves and make you moan my name. Just like you did that night. 

Heat spread through my body so fast I almost dropped my phone.

I squeezed my thighs 

You’re unbelievable.

And you’re blushing.

I sucked in a sharp breath, looking around as if someone could see the words on my screen.

I am NOT.

Then why are you squeezing your thighs together right now?

My breath hitched.

How the fuck—

I clenched my phone in my hand, looking around like he was spying on me.

Cocky much?

Confident. There’s a difference. You should know, considering you were practically drooling when you ran into me earlier.

I scoffed, even though my face was on fire. I was NOT drooling.

No? Then what do you call the way your lips parted? The way your breath hitched when I whispered in your ear?

My body was getting warm, way too warm for just standing outside.

You’re imagining things.

I never imagine. I know things. Like how, right now, you’re pressing your lips together, trying to ignore the way your body is reacting to my words.

I exhaled shakily. I hated that he was right.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard, unsure what to say.

Another text.

Still think about that night?

My stomach clenched.

Of course, I did. How could I not? His hands on me, the way he took his time, how he ruined me and then smirked about it—

No.

Liar.

Lying doesn’t suit you, Evie. If I touched you right now, would you be wet?

I nearly choked.

My entire body pulsed at his words, my thighs pressing together involuntarily. I shouldn’t answer. I should not encourage this.

But my fingers betrayed me.

What do you think?

His reply was instant.

I think you’re soaked. I think if I pushed my hand down those little shorts you’re wearing, I’d feel just how much you miss me.

I inhaled sharply. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

You have a big ego.

And you have a tight pussy. We both have gifts.

I covered my mouth with my hand, heat licking down my spine.

Ryder.

Say it. Say you miss me.

I was not going to do that.

Not happening.

You will. And when you do, I’ll be there to make you feel how much I missed you too.

I shivered, my grip on my phone tightening. This was dangerous. So dangerous.

And yet, I couldn’t stop.

You really have no shame, huh?

Not when it comes to you.

My pulse jumped.

I hated him.

I hated how easily he got to me.

Before I could respond, my phone vibrated again. But this time, it wasn’t Ryder.

It was my mother.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair before answering.

“Evelyn.” Her voice was smooth, casual. Too casual.

“What’s up, Mum?” I asked, trying to steady my breathing.

“What do you think about me hosting a bridal shower?”

I blinked. “A… bridal shower?”

“Yes,” she said lightly. “It’s only appropriate. With all these new social connections, I need to make sure I’m well received. Plus, it’ll be fun.”

I closed my eyes. My life was actually turning into a soap opera.

“I don’t know, Mum. Do you need a bridal shower?”

She scoffed. “Of course, I need one. What kind of woman gets married into wealth without having an extravagant celebration first?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “So this isn’t about the wedding. It’s about showing off.”

“It’s about status, Evelyn,” she corrected. “And I expect you to be there, looking your best. No complaints.”

I sighed, my phone still buzzing slightly in my hand from the last messages from Ryder.

Of course, she was planning a bridal shower. Because my life wasn’t already messy enough.

“Fine,” I muttered. “Just tell me when and where.”

“Good girl,” Mum said. “I’ll handle the details. Just come…wait where are you, by the way?”

“At a cafe?”

“Cafe?!” she gasped, sounding horrified. “Oh, Evelyn, when will you learn? Life is about to change. You need to stop visiting such places.”

I rolled my eyes, weaving through the bustling streets. “I go where I want to go, Mum.”

A dramatic sigh came through the speaker. “Did you go meet that… disgusting… ew… gosh that girl with bugs in her hair?”

I grinned, already knowing who she meant. “Oh, you mean my crazy, sexy, artistic, and the best person in the entire world? Yes. Her name is Elara, and I did go meet her. We kissed, made up, and then rubbed dog poo on our faces.”

Mum made an actual gagging sound.

“Evelyn, you’re…I don't even know what to say to you at the moment” she said. 

I grinned, “The best daughter in the whole world.”

She chuckled. “Yes indeed you are but you need to stop hanging out with that girl.  She is a bad influence. You are entering high society now. You can’t just associate with—”

“With who, Mum?” I cut her off, my tone sharper. “People who don’t care about money? People who actually like me for who I am?”

She sighed again, but this time, it was softer. “Evelyn, I just want what’s best for you.”

I scoffed. “No, you want what’s best for you.”

Silence.

Then she signed,“Just get over here. I’m at Rivers & Lace bridal boutique. We’re choosing my dress.”

I sighed, rubbing my temple. “Do I have to?”

“Yes,” she said sweetly. “And bring an open mind.”

I hung up before I said something I’d regret.