Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Harper : Tiffany got right near that DJ booth, picked up the mic and the DJ cut the music. "Is everyone having a good time?" Her voice was loud but sweet. The place erupted in cheers and applause. "I'm glad you are and it's about to get even better. We're gonna play a guessing game." Everyone began to boo and she chuckled. "Relax, it's going to be quite juicy. Just stay with me here. First up, Rob and James!." 76 E55 vouchers She pointed at the two of them together in the crowd and they started awkwardly looking around. "Yeah, you two right there. James in the brown coat and Rob in the neon green shirt. Give it up for the two of them!" Slowly, everyone began to clap, wanting to see where this was going. The two guys grinned like idiots, probably because she gave them attention. "This game is about to be real juicy and I know what some of you must be thinking. What about Maddox? He's probably caught up somewhere else. Should we wait for him?" "No!" the crowd said in unison. "Alright, then," she said, then dragged out the pause before continuing, "which of these two guys is most likely to leave scratches down a girl's back?" There was an instant chorus of oohs and whistles, James smirking confidently while Rob raised his eyebrows in mocking innocence. People started calling out their guesses and she let it go on for a few seconds before she spoke again. "If you said Rob, you're absolutely right!" The place erupted in laughter. The crowd now seemed even more interested in the game. She went to ask a few more questions to some more guys, like who was likely to wake up in the wrong bed after a wild night and who was likely to text someone in the morning just to say that they left their bra. "Alright, boys now that you've had your fun, let's see how the girls handle it. Up first, Harper and Kate!" My jaw clenched at how she was quick to single me out. 7:28 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 28 76 E 55 vouchers Zoey and Ella shook their heads at me and came real close, telling me not to play, but Tiffany was the one with the mic and quickly began to speak. "Just so we're clear. Kate is the girl in the black dress and the girl in the cheap version of the designer dress I'm wearing is Harper. You obviously know that." I stood out a lot when those who were close enough looked at me while laughing in agreement with her. She didn't even ask the question yet and my heart was already pounding. I wanted to go up there and stop her. I even hoped Grayson would do something. "Now, which one of these two girls did my bro..." She trailed off when her mic was suddenly cut off, making her look over at the DJ. He just shrugged like he was trying to fix the problem. She was so frustrated that she almost slammed the mic against the floor, but had to keep it cool for all the guests. Then, people began to cheer while looking in a certain direction. I looked over and Maddox was making his way to her. As soon as he was close enough, he yanked the mic from her, bringing it to his lips so he could speak. "Enough of this stupid game." He chuckled, the mic now loud and clear again. "This is my fucking birthday party, so let's have a good time! Music! " The whole crowd cheered as the DJ turned up the volume. She shot him glares, like he had just gotten in the way of her biggest announcement yet. As he dragged her up the stairs and they turned at the corner, Zoey and Ella sighed with relief. "Whatever that was, I'm glad it didn't happen!" Ella said. "My girl can't catch a break." Zoey gently placed a hand on my shoulder. My heart was beating in the same rhythm as the beat pumping through the speakers. I had never been so relieved about anything but at the same time, my blood boiled as I looked over at Grayson. I just needed some fresh air outside and I asked my girls not to follow me. It was hard for them to do, but they respected my decision. When I came outside, I moved further away from all the music and voices until I got to the lawn and could only hear a muffled EDM beat and crickets somewhere around me. My surroundings were filled with warm night lights hanging from the trees so I'd watch my step along the pavers in the middle. I stopped in my tracks right when I got to a large tree, placing my back against it and closing my eyes. Then, I heard footsteps along the pavers and looked back. I instantly regretted my decision to stop moving when I did. Had I been on the other side of the tree trunk, Grayson wouldn't have spotted me and I would've preferred that. "What do you want?" I didn't even hide the irritation in my voice as I looked away and moved a few steps I move 7:28 Tue, Sep 16 Chapter 28 forward. "I just came to check if you're okay." He stopped right behind me, still on the pavers. 76 55 vouchers "Now you care?" I chuckled in disbelief, facing him. "Where was that part of you the moment you heard Tiffany say my name up there? You just waited, like you also wanted to hear what would come from her mouth. We both know how that always ends. I didn't expect you to stand up for me, but don't come out here when I just want to be alone." " I heard about the comments she made when she showed up in the same dress as you and I'm-" "If you're going to apologize on her behalf, don't. I'm tired of it and we talked about this. " He chuckled. "Oh, Harp, take it easy, okay? That's not what I wanted to say. You might be wearing the same dress as her, but yours is just...perfect." There it was, the same look from earlier when I arrived. He was checking me out and even stepped on the lawn to circle around me. I immediately forgot that I was mad at him. "Did you even take a good look at how everyone's been watching you tonight?" His voice was low and suggestive. "No one can take their eyes off you, absolutely no one. This dress was meant for you." He stopped right behind me and paused for a moment, like he had something else to say and I actually waited. Like an idiot, I wanted to hear more. "Harper!" I turned around and spotted Zoey and Ella rushing towards me. That broke the tension between Grayson and I and he cleared his throat as he got back up on the pavers again. "I should go back inside. Give me a call or text if you need me." He began to leave while moving backwards, not taking his eyes off me even for a second. That was the longest he had ever stared at me and it sent shivers down my spine. He said and did all the right things I always longed for. My girls only gave him a smile and nod of acknowledgement as they continued to make their way to me. "What was that about?" Zoey asked when he was at a distance. Ella pursed her lips with crossed arms. "Let me guess, he wanted to apologize for his fucking wife?" My lips curved into a smile. "No. It was different this time." "Different?" they asked in unison. I closed my eyes, thinking back to a few seconds earlier when he looked at me the way every other guy did that night. "Hello?" Ella nudged the side of my arm. 7:28 Tue, Sep 16 Chapter 28 76 55 vouchers I snapped out of it, telling both of them what had happened with Grayson before they showed up. They shared a knowing look, faced me again, then burst into laughter. "What?" I frowned. "Nope!" Ella waved her finger in my face. "Seriously, this isn't good for you." Zoey said with a look of disapproval. "But let's be real here, have you taken a good look at how many guys have been checking you out since we arrived? You're flaming hot tonight! Some even looked like they'd break their necks when looking back at these damn curves!" "While that is true," Ella began, "Grayson only has eyes for his wife. That's why he chose her. Whatever it was you thought you saw and felt before we got here, don't let it make you think he wants you or something." Zoey gasped. "Isn't that a little too harsh?" "Ella's right." I sighed. "I needed to hear that. I'm glad you're here with me." I grinned, opening my arms wide for both of them. The group hug was nice and warm and should have lasted longer, but Zoey's statement put an end to that moment. "How did the volume on that mic cut when it did? And why did it work just fine when Maddox showed up? Whatever the case, I'm glad that happened. Who knew what Tiffany was going to say up there?" "I only have a few guesses, but we'll never find out since he stopped her before she could do it. For someone who barely paid attention to me, he definitely came to the rescue when it mattered the most." "This is the part where you find him, get some answers and kiss him!" I shook my head at Zoey. "No way." "Harper's right," Ella chimed in. "If they're going to talk, he'll have to be the one to initiate it." "Don't forget that..." I trailed off when my phone began to ring from my purse and as soon as I took it out, my heart skipped a beat at the caller ID. It was Maddox and I chuckled lightly. "Looks like someone wants to talk." 7:28 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 29 Title: A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way Author: CrushReels Genre: Romance, Modern Status: ongoing In "A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way" by CrushReels, Felix Lloyd finds himself in a predicament as he seeks to pacify his family's marriage expectations by renting a girlfriend for the holiday season. However, a serendipitous airport mishap leads Kendal Scott, the wrong woman, into his life. As Felix and Kendal navigate this unexpected twist of fate, the novel delves into themes of familial pressure, mistaken identities, and the complexities of modern relationships. 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