Page 113 of Exposed

She smiled. “I’ve actually been looking for my own place. Felix tagged along on my real estate hunt yesterday. We were kind of just joking around about the apartments being too small…but…I think maybe we might find something bigger together. Maybe. I don’t want to jinx it.”

I couldn’t help it, I squealed.

“Don’t jinx it,” Kennedy said with a laugh.

I didn’t think it was possible to jinx it. I’d known Kennedy and Felix belonged together back in high school. Nothing had changed.

“Ah, Hailey! You’re finally here!” Penny said and hurried over to the woman who’d just walked in.

Hailey gave her a hug. “Happy birthday!”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. I want you to meet some people.” Penny grabbed Hailey’s hand and pulled her over to me. “Hailey, this is Brooklyn and Kennedy. Guys, this is Hailey. Axel’s mom.”

“Oh, hi.” I gave her a quick hug. “I’m pretty sure Axel is Jacob’s new best friend.”

Hailey laughed. “I think Axel’s equally excited to be hanging out with someone who likes football instead of Barbies. Although he does have the biggest crush on Scarlett.”

“It drives James nuts,” Penny said with a laugh. “But it’s so cute. Scarlett insists that Axel is her boyfriend.”

I laughed. “I think Jacob has a crush on her too.” One of his favorite things was asking if he could hang out with Scarlett.

“Uh oh,” Kennedy said. “Not another love triangle.”

Hailey smiled. “Luckily they’re just kids. We’re a long way from that. But it is really fun to poke James about it.”

I laughed. I could definitely picture James being an overprotective father.

There was another knock on the door.

“Let me go get it,” Penny said and hurried off.

“I like your hideout spot over here,” Hailey said as she grabbed a drink off a discarded tray.

“We’re not exactly hiding out,” I said.

Hailey laughed. “Trust me, I get it. This is all a lot. It took me a while to get used to this city, let alone the huge friend group that comes with it. I lived in the middle of nowhere growing up and worked more than I ever hung out with friends.”

“I knew I liked you,” Kennedy said.

I smiled. I was thinking the same thing. “So you’re not from NYC?”

Hailey shook her head. “No, I lived in a very small, quiet town. I thought I’d live my whole life there. But I’ll be honest, I’d follow my husband to the ends of the earth. This was where he wanted to be. It was a big change. And I don’t think I ever would have adjusted if it wasn’t for these girls.” She pointed over her shoulder. “You can’t ask for better friends. So as much fun as it is to hide out over here…you guys need to come with me.” She grabbed my hand to pull me along with her.

Not that I was going to protest. I knew Hailey was right. I couldn’t imagine a group of people more welcoming.

“Tanner’s finally here with our dresses!” Penny said. I looked over to see Tanner directing several women who were pushing racks of dresses. There were way more dresses than required. But I was excited that there were some options.

Penny had let me know that Tanner was sending us all dresses. It was way too much. But he’d insisted it was his birthday present to her and his present to me for my“big night.”I had no idea what he was talking about. This was a pretty big night for everyone. Prom only happened once. Or twice for some people attending, I guess.

Tanner quickly said hello to everyone and then made a beeline over to me. “You ready for your big night, gorgeous?”

I laughed. “Are you?”

“It’s not my big night. It’s all yours. Well, a little for Penny. But it’s more about you, and Penny’s fine with that.”

Okay…“Well, you look great.” He did. He was already in his tuxedo. It was a dark blue with some kind of finish that made it a little shimmery in the light. But I’d hardly classify it as eccentric. It just looked good on him. Was this what he’d been talking about when he’d mentioned his fun suits?

“Thanks, but you really gotta stop hitting on me. Matt gets a little jealous about these things, and I do worry our friendship will be on the rocks if you keep ogling me.”

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