Maxwell laughs. “Look at you gushing. You know you’re an international star too, right?”

“Carly Mattsson and I are definitely not on the same star level.” As far as I’m concerned, she’s in a whole other galaxy.

“Well, I think she’d be pleased to meet you,” he says. “But it looks like she’s leaving.”

Oh no. He’s right. My heart sinks as Carly Mattsson disappears through the exit.

“Don’t be too disappointed,” Maxwell says with sympathy. “Carly always leaves events early.”

“How come?”

“She has young kids at home.” He shrugs.

“Oh right. Jude, four, and Mabel, two.”

Maxwell shoots me another wry grin. Oops. Have I verged into stalker territory?

“Right. Well, you know, work-life balance and all that.”

Talk about a dream life—not only is she gorgeous, but she’s mega successful and still present with her family.

“Carly may be gone, but I see some fans who look like they want to talk to you, superstar,” Maxwell says, squinting through the crowd.

I follow his gaze to see Hyeri waving at me from the cocktail bar and Juhyun beside her, blowing me a kiss. I smile and say a quick parting word to Maxwell before rushing over to the twins and launching myself at them for a group hug.

“It’s so good to see you!” I cry as they jump up and down, hugging me back. “And in Paris, too!”

“Best,” says Hyeri.

Juhyun smiles. “Lives.”

“Ever!” I complete. And it really is the best. I send up a quick thank-you to the universe for making me lucky enough to experience moments like this with my best friends.

“Girl, it’s been too long since we last saw your face.” Juhyun looks romantic in her sheer, delicate floral dress with ruffled shoulders. Meanwhile, Hyeri’s traded her usual lab-friendly casual look for a chic white blouse tucked into low-slung metallic suit pants. It’s clearly not her first time being Juhyun’s plus-one for an event like this. She looks just as glamorous as her twin. “Well, since we saw your face in person, I mean,” Juhyun continues. “Hyeri always has your music videos playing in the background.”

“Nothing wrong with being a proud friend,” Hyeri says, grinning. “How are you, Rach? How was the show?”

“Forget the show,” Juhyun jumps in, grabbing my arm, her eyes gleaming. “How was meeting Alex? Don’t think we haven’t noticed you dodging the question every time we bring it up on chat. What’s happening between you two?”

“Nothing!” I flush. She’s not wrong. I have been avoiding the question until now, partly because this felt like an in-person talk, but also partly because I’m still not sure where I stand. How do I explain something that I’m not even sure I know the answer to yet?