The wait was almost over, and it'd been one of the longest months in my life.

Jim's friend got married today. It was evening in France, and I hoped everything went well. From the little Jim told me, I gathered Aiden was a great guy who'd been through a lot. He deserved his happily ever after. In a twisted way, Jim and I met thanks to him.

My fingers itched to text Jim. Each time I picked up the phone, I put it down with a sigh. There wasn't much I could say. I could tell him about the things I did, but the only conversation we needed to have was the one about us, and it had to happen in person.

I knew what my answer would be. And, completely unlike me, I did another daring thing, texting the person whose house I was driving to now.

I parked my car in a quiet residential area and strolled to the modern lodge surrounded by a beautiful garden. The front door opened before I pressed the doorbell.

"Welcome." Riley beamed and kissed my cheek. "Hope it wasn't hard to find our place."

"Thank you, and no. I know the city well."

"Awesome. Come on in; I'll show you around first."

I stepped over the threshold and followed Riley into her house. Being here felt like a dream. I didn't expect she'd agree to see me, let alone invite me over. 

After days of stressing out over the best way to go public with Jim, I realized I was out of my depth. Not just because of my shyness, but because of not knowing what to expect or how to behave. Other than Jim, Riley was the only famous person I knew. And she was a girl.

"I love your home," I said after she'd shown me the open plan kitchen and living room.

"I love decorating. If I didn't become an actress, I would've studied interior design."

"That's my friend's dream," I said. Ivy had been talking about her own design business since we were in high school. I only hoped she could still have that once she became a mom.

Riley smiled. "Tea? If you prefer coffee, I have some, too."

"Tea's great." I perched on the cream-colored couch Riley pointed to and watched her fix the drinks. She looked at ease, pretty in a simple white sundress without makeup on and her long hair in a loose ponytail. 

Riley handed me a mug with a steaming drink and sat next to me. "I was happy you texted," she said. "We wanted to invite you and Jim to dinner, but he said he was in France when Noah texted him."

"He'll be back tomorrow." I took a small sip of my tea. 

Riley pointed to the box of chocolate sweets on the coffee table. "Try these. So worth an extra workout."

"I will, thank you. And thank you for agreeing to meet me."

"You said you needed help."

I nodded. "Other than Jim, you're the only person I can talk about it with. Jim and I were dating in secret, as you know. But I think it's time to change that."

"Agreed." Riley leaned against the back of the couch and studied me, her eyes twinkling. "I bet Jim wants to show you off."

"We took a break from each other because of my jealousy," I said. "He did nothing, but I couldn't help feeling insecure. And the only way to change that is by going public, so everyone knows we're a couple."

"And you thought about me because Noah and I were in the same situation," Riley said.

"Yeah. Also, because you're Jim's friend, and you know how to behave with paparazzi and the media, unlike me."

Silence stretched between us for a short while as Riley sipped her tea, and I chewed a sweet to busy myself while she thought of an answer.

"Some would say, just be yourself," Riley said. "But that's not easy. Nobody's perfect, but when you're in the public eye, tiny imperfections become giant flaws. The good doesn't make the headlines. Many will look for scandals, juicy gossip, pictures that show you in the worst angles. I went into it blindly, but I wish someone had told me I had to grow a thicker skin before I developed my acting skills."

"That's what scares me. I'm afraid I'll feel inadequate and weird."

"We all do. You'll be a novelty at first, so it wouldn't hurt to create an image you want to project. Jim was forced to have one, but it's different for you, just like it was for Noah. He laughed when he saw himself on fashion pages. Suddenly, everyone wanted to know how he liked his coffee and what gym he worked out at. Good things came from it, too, such as more interest in his business. He also advertised a couple of clothing brands. It was an adjustment we needed to make if we wanted our relationship to work."

"I get that. So, what shouldn't I do?"

Riley rubbed her chin. "I'd say be careful not to disclose too much, especially stuff Jim's working on and things that have to do with his career. It's common sense. Other than that, it's up to the two of you."

I swallowed. "And my image?"

"You're pretty, and I love your style. You'd have to be more careful when you attend events with Jim, but his stylists will take care of that."

"So, I just have to keep quiet and smile."

Riley's laughter tinkled in the air. "God, no. You can talk to them; just be careful how you phrase things. Make sure you don't say anything they can twist.

"Noah and I appeared at an event together, and then a magazine interviewed us, and we said we'd been dating for a while. It wasn't spontaneous, and we had time to discuss what we would and wouldn't mention. Maybe you and Jim could do something similar, especially after his song about making love to someone to the sounds of the rain. I bet his fans are crazy to find out who that someone is."

My cheeks warmed. I hid my face in the mug, and Riley squeezed my knee. "He loves you; has loved you for a while."

"I know he does," I said. "I love him too. I want to make it work."

"So, the big reunion will happen tomorrow."

"Yeah. I'm going out with my girlfriends tonight to distract myself. If I stay at home, I'll drive myself crazy."

Riley wiggled her brows. "A night out. I love that. Noah's on a business trip, but he'll be back tonight. We'll stay in and have a date night here."

"That sounds perfect."

"You appreciate those moments more when you're busy like we are. Where are you going with the girls, by the way?"

"They want to go dancing, but I have no idea where."

"I have something for you, then." Riley hopped to her feet. "Wait."

She disappeared down a hallway, and I glanced around at her tastefully decorated living room. Maybe I could get something for Jim's place to make it look warmer. I'd have to ask him first. I would if everything was well between us when he got back.

Riley was back with an envelope. "A new club is opening tonight. I have tons of invitations, but we aren't going. Take them."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. The place is nice. I bet it'll be full of celebrities. It's your chance to catch a glimpse of that world before you're a part of it."

"Thank you," I said, accepting the envelope. "And thank you for the chat. You helped me a lot."

Riley rubbed my arm. "Anytime. It's hard, but my last piece of advice is, be confident. Believe in yourself the way Jim does. He singled you out and went after you. Nothing matters more than his feelings toward you."

☆☆☆

Our night out would be special. Not only because of going to an exclusive high-end club but because it was Ivy's non-conventional way to get ready for the changes in her life. She wanted pretty pictures and to have fun before adulthood struck.

We were at my place, getting ready. 

"My boobs look nice in this dress." Isla twirled in front of my big mirror. "And I'm not lobster red this summer. So, thank you."

"Thank the modern generation of sunscreens," Ivy said from my bed where she sat, applying makeup. "By the way, what do you think of virgin margaritas?"

"I tried them once." I stepped into the short black dress and pulled it up my legs. "They're not bad."

"As long as they're not as crappy as the sex with my ex, I'm sold," Ivy huffed. "I was bored yesterday, and I made a list."

Isla slipped her feet into a pair of golden sandals. "What list?"

"The orgasms he gave me versus the ones I gave myself. Guess I don't have to tell you which one was longer, and wow, Ava."

I giggled. The dress was bolder and sexier than anything I'd worn before with its deep cleavage, bare back, and thin straps. Jim would see it on my Instagram. He was always the first to like my photos and react to my stories, but I hardly ever posted pictures of myself. I would tonight if only to tease him a little.

"Sexy." Isla grinned. "You too, Ivy. I know a tattooed someone who's gonna drool at your photos."

"I blocked his number," Ivy blurted out, pausing her mascara application.

Isla gaped. "You what? But why would you?"

Ivy rubbed her stomach. "This is why. I'm going to be a mom. I won't have time for nightclubs and parties, and that's what he likes. That's what we both liked. Well, that and many other things, but I can't lead him on when I know we don't have a future. I'd rather he thought I felt guilty and was happy with my boyfriend."

"He'll find out when you start to show," I said.

"Jim can't know, either, Ava. Okay? If Jay finds out eventually, it has to be because he ran into me somewhere, and let's be honest, the chances are close to zero. We don't move in the same circles."

"Except now we kinda do," Isla said. "Ava and Jim are dating; we'll see the guys for sure."

Shrugging, Ivy went on getting ready. "I'll bow out of it. Shouldn't be that hard."

I grabbed my clutch bag and put on my high-heeled sandals. "It's up to you, Ivy. I'm ready when you girls are."

☆☆☆

Starlight was a fitting name for the club we walked into. Everything around us sparkled, from the decorations and the furniture to the attires of the guests. I thought we were overdressed when we chose our outfits, but it was the opposite. I hadn't seen so many designer bags and cocktail dresses anywhere else.

Ivy ordered a virgin Sex on the Beach — the irony — and I went for some champagne we didn't have to pay for, thanks to Riley's invitations.

The girls and I sat on a burgundy couch. I took a sip of the bubbly drink, scanning the crowd. 

"I've seen that guy on TV," Isla said, nudging her chin toward a blond man at the bar.

"The club is packed with freaking celebrities. Too bad I blocked Tasha's number. I would've sent her a picture otherwise."

"She might still see stuff on your Instagram." Isla giggled. "Love the new username, by the way. Like the league. It fits you."

Ivy snorted and then frowned, listening in. I hadn't paid attention to music before, but someone close to us said Rebellious Hearts, and my heart leaped. It was the band's song. Very different, but it was impossible not to listen. The voice I heard didn't belong to Jim, but later, Jim sang a part. That was what kept him so busy. I smiled, remembering the little hints he sent me — pictures of his hands on the guitar strings. Also, his naked torso in the hotel bathroom mirror. His beautiful green eyes. His lips I was dying to taste.

The melody got more intense, and emotion dripped from the lyrics. Who knew rap could be so sensual? The crowd went crazy. If people reacted this way in a club, a live show must be insane.

"Yes!" A bald, older guy in a black button-down pumped his fist when the final notes faded. The thick golden chain he wore glimmered in the multicolored club lights. He rubbed his palms together and said something to another guy sitting next to him. 

I was staring without realizing it, and warmth flooded my face when the jewelry-wearing man glanced my way. He narrowed his eyes, and my skin crawled.

"Let's dance." I tugged at the hem of Ivy's dress.

The three of us rose to our feet and strutted toward the dance floor. The dancing crowd engulfed us. Ivy took out her phone and snapped dozens of pictures of the three of us, and I took photos of her.

A slower song played.

"Having fun?" 

I didn't see anything, but I felt someone's hand on my bare back. Goosebumps erupted on my flesh, but not the good kind.

I spun around and gasped when I saw the guy from the table next to ours. His lust-filled gaze roamed my body, pausing on my breasts.

"Lots of fun. Bye." Ivy came to my rescue, grabbing my hand and dragging me away under the man's stunned stare.

"Shit." I breathed out when the three of us made it to the other extreme of the club. "Thank you. I glanced his way once, and he must've thought—"

"He was eye-fucking you. You're gorgeous, but yikes. That guy's creepy."

"Must be someone famous," Isla said. "Or just filthy rich. Did you see that chain?"

"That's why I stared at him. Could I be more stupid?"

"Stop," Ivy groaned. "Girls should be able to look stunning and not fear someone will make a move against their will. You did nothing wrong."

"I just felt dirty." I shivered, hugging myself. "I could use another drink."

☆☆☆

I hadn't seen the man after that. We had tons of fun and danced so much blisters popped up on my heels. 

I made it home at dawn. After removing my makeup, I got in bed with my phone.

A bunch of Instagram notifications were waiting for me.

J.Eldridge liked tonight's pictures and put at least a dozen red hearts under each of them. I went to my direct messages and grinned like a fool at the sight of a long text.

I'm not drunk. 

It's a fucking lie. It's my friend's wedding, but I'm drunk on you. On the sight of you in that dress. On the way the light dances on your naked back. On the look on your face. Tell me you were thinking about me.

I don't care about the break. I want to wrap you in my arms and call you mine. I want you to wear that goddamned piece of fabric for me so I can rip it off you.

I also want to kill every asshole who looked at you tonight. You never believed how fucking into you I am. It's time you did. I'm madly, crazily in love with you. This month only made me fall for you harder.

Fuck being apart. Fuck the distance. We're above any stupid misunderstandings. We can make it work. We will make it work.

Don't answer this text. Just take your key and come to my — our— place. I'll be home in twenty-two hours. 

I can't wait to kiss you.