Page 55 of Tuned To Break
And it was the best part of my day.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
STELLA
“No, no, no—you don’t understand,” I say, waving my wine glass for emphasis and narrowly missing a jug of sangria and Emily’s fringe. “He looked exactly like Batman’s kinky cousin. I’m not even exaggerating.”
The table explodes into laughter.
Megan snorts rosé up her nose. Ella’s wheezing. Yasmin has actual tears running down her cheeks. And I’m not far behind, doubled over and laughing at my own damn story.
This was supposed to be a civilised night—a catch-up, a couple of drinks. But we all know thatjust one drinkis code forlet’s order nachos and overshare until we lose our voices.
Megan—predictably—was the ringleader. Emily booked the table. Somehow, Yasmin, Ally, and even Ella all showed up too. The boys are off doing whatever it is men do when left unsupervised at Arden’s place, which means we’re free to dissect every embarrassing detail of our love lives like horny forensic scientists.
“Batman’s kinky cousin,” Yasmin gasps again, wiping her eyes. “That’s the best fucking description I’ve ever heard.”
“I bet he’d love that nickname,” Ally giggles. “Imagine us all calling him that to his face.”
“Don’t you dare,” I warn, pointing a semi-threatening finger—wine glass and all. “That name stays here. Between us. In the vault.”
“But it’s so perfect,” Ella croons, eyes gleaming. “Mysterious. Masked. Probably great with his hands…”
“Very good with his hands,” I blurt before I can stop myself.
And instantly regret it.
Emily’s mouth drops open. “Stella!”
“Shit.” I cover my face, but it’s too late. The damage is done.
“Details,” Megan demands, leaning forward like we’re in a courtroom and she’s about to cross-examine me.
“I’m not giving you details!”
“You already did,” Yasmin sings. “Very good with his hands, remember?”
“That was different. I was emotionally compromised.”
“Now you’re wine-compromised,” Emily says, topping off everyone’s glasses like she’s fuelling chaos. “Which means even better details.”
My phone buzzes against the table, lighting up with Jake’s name.
And just like that, every molecule in my body tightens. It’s ridiculous—how one buzz, one name, can hijack every thought in my head.
Jake
How’s girls’ night?
Are you behaving?
I bite back a smile and angle my phone away from the nosy hawks I call friends.
Stella
Define behaving.
Jake
