Jewel wore a floral contraption that had probably been modeled on some high-fashion runway in Paris. The strategically placed puffs, the rose print, the thin crisscrossed straps—it was a lot for 8:00 A.M. Nicole tried not to judge, but her eyebrows had no such qualms and refused to come back down.

“Honestly.” Stella approached Jewel, saying, “So far, everything about this trip has exceeded my meager expectations. Bravo. Just”—she kissed her fingers—“best trip of my life, hands down.”

“My outfit tipped the scales for you?” Jewel asked, skeptical. “Really?”

“It’s the total package. If it keeps going up from here, I might not survive.”

Jewel said, “Out of everyone here, I know the least about you. I truly cannot tell if you’re being sarcastic or sincere.”

Stella’s words consistently slanted toward harsh, but she always smiled while she spoke. Mischievously captivating, as if she had a secret she was dying to share, but—plot twist! The secret would be about you. And there’d be a 50/50 chance whether you’d like the secret or not.

Nicole absolutely wanted to know the secret. Was it possible to like someone too much, too fast? God, she needed a serious moment to check herself before she embarrassed herself. Or fell headfirst into jealousy.

“I can tell you with absolute certainty that it’s always a little bit of both.” Stella winked. “Love that dress. Really.”

Jewel stood toe to toe with Stella and said, “I’ve decided I’m going to keep my eye on you, after all,” before walking into the dining room.

Stella followed, keeping close. “You know who else does that? Sauron. I’m totally into that, by the way.”

“Into what?” Jewel laughed—a real laugh, joyous and throaty. “Lord of the Rings? Or…?”

“It’s always a little of both,” Stella reminded her.

“Is she flirting with Jewel?” Harlow whispered as she entered the room with Nicole, who answered, “I honestly don’t know.”

Jewel said, “Hmm, you might just be a bit too clever for me.”

“Oh, don’t let that stop you. Besides, you seem like the kind of person who likes a challenge.”

“I like challenges I can win.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“Yep, definitely flirting,” Harlow said in a small, scandalized voice.

Jewel said, “Oh, you’d be surprised. And if you’re lucky, I’ll tell you about it later.” She pointed to a chair. “Have a seat.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Stella laughed and sat.

Harlow sighed, sitting in a chair, leaving a space between her and Stella for Nicole to sit in the middle.

Nicole gave Stella a questioning look.

“What?” Stella crossed her arms on the table and whispered, “I’m just messing around.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I don’t get to do stuff like that in real life. It’s just fun.”

Harlow, visibly irritated, muttered, “And you called me a sycophant.”