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Would it be bad? I don’t want to hide anymore. I wish we could be a real couple. I wish I could hold his hand in public and kiss him whenever I want. I wish I didn’t have to hide how I feel about him.

“Sweet dreams, princess.” He kisses the top of my head.

He turns to leave, but I catch his hand. “Sebastian?”

“Yeah?”

“I missed you.”

He faces me fully, his eyes flicking between mine, a hint of vulnerability shimmering behind the usual confidence.

“I missed you, too.” He strides out, closing the door behind him.

What the hell is going on with him? And how am I going to survive the party tomorrow with him there? There are probably many other girls who will throw themselves at him, like Blake.

What if… Is he going to break up with me?

Chapter 26

Lilian

“There.” Gemma smooths the fabric over my waist. “Perfect.”

I glance at my reflection in the mirror, and heat floods my cheeks. The black satin plunges low, emphasizing my cleavage, and the bunny ears atop my head look ridiculous on me. Gemma and Mary stand beside me, dressed in the same.

“Seriously?” I exhale, looking down at the revealing outfit. “When you said costumes, I didn’t think Playboy bunnies.”

Mary grins. “You look hot.”

“You really think so?” I tug at the hem in a vain attempt to cover more skin.

“You do.” Gemma adjusts my bunny ears, giving me an encouraging tap on my bare shoulder. “It’s a costume party. Everyone will be wearing something slutty. So there’s no need to feel nervous.”

“But—”

“If you really feel uncomfortable, we can wear something else,” Mary says.

“No, it’s fine.” One night. Heat surges through me. Will Sebastian like it?

Mary loops her arm through mine. “You’re rocking this outfit. Now, come on, let’s go downstairs and have some fun!”

“Wait. Let’s take a selfie first.” They wrap their arms around my shoulders, and Gemma extends her arm, angling her phone to capture all three of us. “Smile, girls!”

I squeeze in close to them. As Gemma snaps a few photos, I find myself smiling more genuinely, feeling more comfortable. A little more daring.

“Okay, I’m picking this one to post.” Gemma tilts her phone to show us a particularly good shot of the three of us laughing together, looking carefree and sexy.

“Alright, now that we’ve immortalized this moment, let’s go have some fun!” Mary ushers us out of Gemma’s room.

The music grows louder with each step until we emerge in the throng of costumed party people downstairs.

I nod, swallowing hard.

Fun.

I can do this.

It’s just a costume.

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