Part Five - Part Two

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Jessica is probably the only person in the world so happy to see Scott, as if he were the only man in existence. Her face lights up with a joy that feels almost infectious, yet painfully exclusive.

I try not to gag when they kiss in front of me, and I may or may not have swallowed the vomit that threatened to come up.

They are gross, honestly.

"Where's Mom?" I ask, my eyes tracing the vibrant sunflowers on Jessica's knee-length dress. Her long, dark brown hair cascades down her back in soft waves, catching the morning light.

I can feel Jessica rolling her eyes at me even though her back is facing me. She gives Scott another kiss on the lips, and when she does, I don't miss the brief eye contact Scott and I share—an electric moment that makes my stomach churn for reasons beyond nausea.

She turns around, her brown eyes locking onto mine. "She went to the venue to make sure everything is in order. We have to check if the cake is done because it's literally a seven-story cake, and we must have some cake tasting. The wedding is literally within a week. And then we have to go pick up the dress."

I nod, signaling I understand, but deep down, I'm dreading it. I don't even know why I'm going in the first place.

Jessica must sense my reluctance because she steps closer, her tone softening. "Hey," she says, catching me off guard. "I know this isn't your thing, but it means a lot to Mom. And... it means a lot to me, too."

I glance at her, surprised by her sincerity. It's rare for Jessica to drop the bubbly facade and show a glimpse of vulnerability.

"Fine," I mutter, trying to mask the fact that her words have touched me. "But I'm not tasting any cake."

She laughs, the sound light and familiar, transporting me back to our childhood when things were simpler. When it was just the two of us against the world.

"Deal," she says, and for the first time today, I feel a small bond rekindle between us, a thread of connection amidst the chaos.

It's annoying when Jessica acts like a damn five-year-old every time Scott says something sexual, and very vivid too. I, however, ignore both of them by plugging my earphones into my ears — tuning Ella Mai up and decreasing the volume of the world out.

We step into the elevator, and I press the button for the ground floor. As we begin to descend, a fluttery feeling stirs in my stomach. The elevator abruptly halts on the third floor, and the doors slide open.

A woman in her thirties stands there with her young daughter at her side. She gasps and quickly covers her daughter's eyes.

I furrow my brows, confused by her reaction, but as I turn around, the reason becomes clear. Jessica and Scott are making out right behind me, completely oblivious to the world. I roll my eyes, not surprised by their public display of affection, and turn back to face the horrified woman.

"Sorry you had to see that," I apologize, pressing the ground floor button again.

Once we reach the lobby, I storm out of the elevator, throwing up my hand to display my middle finger. I only wish them bad luck for subjecting the poor little girl to such a sight. She probably needs therapy now.

My earbuds save me once again as I escape into my music.

On our way to the cake shop, a knot of worry forms in my stomach. I haven't heard from Jason, and knowing how strict his parents are, I can't help but fret. Mrs. Hunter may love me, but she's strict with both Jason and me, and I wouldn't dare get on her bad side.

My worries are momentarily forgotten as we arrive at the cake shop. I pause my music and follow Jessica and Scott inside. I can't help but overhear their conversation, catching bits and pieces as we walk through the store.

"He hates me," Scott confides to Jessica, his face earnest and pained. "I've tried everything to cheer him up. He doesn't want to be around me. He has his earphones in every time we talk, and he doesn't even come out of his room anymore. I think I should move out, don't you think?"

Jess turns to look at me, her brown eyes filled with sadness, then turns back to Scott, squeezing his arms in comfort. She probably still thinks I'm listening to music.

"Give him time," she replies with a small, reassuring smile. "My brother and I may not always see eye-to-eye, but I know he'll come around. You don't need to move out. And besides, he just came out of a relationship, so he's going to be cranky."

Scott shakes his head slightly. "How much more time does he need?" he asks, frustration lacing his voice. "I basically live in your house now, and he still hates me."

Jessica sighs and runs her hand down his bicep. "He doesn't hate you. Maybe it's just a breakup thing. He doesn't want anyone around him."

Scott looks like he wants to argue, but a lady in a white coat that reads Bella's Bakery enters the room, grinning. "Hi, you must be Jessica?"

"Hi, yes. We're here for cake tasting, and we also wanted to know how far you guys are on the cake."

"Alright, so—"

I tune them out by pressing play on my music.

Scott's eyes darken as Jessica discusses cake arrangements with the lady from Bella's Bakery. He leans in close, whispering, "Step outside with me. We need to talk."

I hesitate, but the intensity in his gaze leaves me no choice. As we step outside, the summer heat washes over us, but it does little to warm the chill between us.

Scott doesn't waste any time. "I told your sister you hate me so she thinks we're not sneaking around," he says, his voice low and urgent.

I fold my arms, a mix of anger and disbelief swirling inside me. "Do you hear yourself?" I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil. "Sneaking around?"

Scott's smile falters, and the hurt in his eyes is like a punch to my gut. "Yes. I like it. It's hot." He moves closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "It turns me on. You turn me on."

I stop him before he can advance any further, my hand pressing against his chest. His heart pounds beneath my touch, a rapid, desperate rhythm.

Looking into his eyes, I see sincerity mingled with desire. The intensity of his gaze is almost overwhelming.

Before either of us can say anything more, Jessica's voice calls out from inside. We break apart so quickly it's as if we were never close at all.

Cake tasting is fun even though I said I wouldn't have any until we have to decide on the right one. The array of options is overwhelming, each flavor tempting in its own way. After much debate, we settle on the chocolate and lemon cake.

Suddenly, Jessica's eyes widen with realization, and she starts tapping her hand against the table in a panic. "I have a meeting with the florist! Oh my God! I completely forgot about it! Mom's going to kill me."

I blink in surprise as she quickly rises from her seat. "Who's going to pick up Mom's dress?"

She fishes something out of her front pocket and tosses the car keys onto the table. "You two have to go get it. I can't miss this appointment."

Jessica leans over the table to give Scott a quick peck on the lips.

"But hey—" I begin, bur Scott interjects to lighten the mood.

"Hey, Jess, remember that time you tried to bake a cake and set off the fire alarm? I think we're safer sticking to professional bakers."

Jessica laughs, shaking her head fondly. "That was ages ago! I've improved since then."

Scott smirks, teasingly. "I don't know, Zayn, should we trust her with cake decisions?"

I feel heat rising to my cheeks as Jessica and Scott share a laugh. Jessica, engrossed in planning her next move with the florist, doesn't seem to notice the playful banter between us.

"Well, let's make this quick," Scott says with a wink, starting the car. "We'll be back before you know it."

With Scott's infectious enthusiasm and Jessica's distracted focus, I resign myself to what promises to be an interesting journey to pick up Mom's dress.

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A/N:

favourite serious so far? I need recommendations lol.

you're beautiful and that's a fact, so slay.