Page 118 of Faking Ties

“And…” Aria pauses as she reaches over the table and steals a donutie. “People are also asking about our jackets.”

I laugh at the shocked look on Nina’s face. After the Super Bowl, I Spice Girls dared her to make the dark green bomber jackets Aria, Stella, Nina, and I are wearing. She grumbled the entire time she was working on these, but they’re a labor of love and a testament to how talented she is.

On the front, Nina sewed on two white zeros, one on each side of the chest and the zipper breaking it up. The team logo is on the bottom right and on the cuff of the sleeves. On the back, our last names sit above an embroidered outline of Stella’s profile while she sings into a microphone.

“Told you so,” I say, repeating her words from moments ago.

Nina glares at me and I laugh again, not at all bothered. The jacket matches perfectly with my black jumpsuit. Stella paired hers with a black skirt and croptop, and Nina is rocking some navy high-waisted, wide-legged trousers and a vest.

Aria grins. “You two are going to be the talk of the town after tonight.”

“Let’s hope not,” Nina says.

I laugh and Aria says, “They’re ready for us.”

“Go ahead. Just give me two minutes to finish this up.”

They walk arm in arm out of the kitchen, and I smile, happy we can all be together again. I’ve missed Aria, and after tonight, I’m hoping to see her more. After I finish decorating the last of my donuties, I head into the main area to meet with Stella. People are still filing in, taking the stairs up to the room where the gala will take place. Halfway up, someone bumps into my shoulder, and I lose my balance.

Before I can fall fully, a strong arm wraps around my waist.

“Thank you,” I say, turning my head to the person who caught me. “For saving me from crash?—”

A choked sob escapes my lips as I meet Hunter’s gaze. A range of emotions play across his face—shock, relief, excitement, and love. We’ve videoed regularly since his win, but we haven’t seen each other in person in months.

“We can’t keep meeting like this,” he says, grinning.

“I don’t know, I’m quite fond of you catching me.” I lean into him, soaking up his warmth.

“Always,” he whispers, his arm tightening aroundme. When we reach the top of the stairs, he leans into my ear and whispers, “Remember the plan. Go to Aria and Nina.”

He nudges me toward them standing on the side of the room near the front, and I robotically walk toward them.Right, the plan. The one that brings us together publicly and where we don’t have to hide anymore.

I glance behind me, and Hunter’s gaze burns into me. Jake comes to his side and says something to him, but Hunter doesn’t look away from me.

“You weren’t supposed to make it obvious,” Nina says when I reach her.

“One day, you’re going to fall for someone, and I can’t wait to rub your feelings in your face.”

She snorts. “That’ll be the fucking day.”

“Shh,” Aria says, nodding to where Stella and Evren are standing at the podium.

Stella gives me a soft smile, before focusing on the room filled with reporters, the team, and local businesses. Since things have calmed down for her, we’ve been videoing regularly, catching up on lost time.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” Evren says. “Here at the Skyrise Sentinels, we believe in giving back and helping our great city. That’s why we’re honored to join Stella Wilde for our special charity event. All proceeds from tonight will go toward The Uplift Foundation. Growing up, I didn't always have the resources or support I needed to chase my dreams. That’s why The Uplift Foundation is so close to myheart. They provide the kind of guidance and opportunities that can change a young person's life.”

“As a singer,” Stella says, “I know the power of inspiration. But sometimes, the most important role models are the ones who guide you one-on-one. The Uplift Foundation creates that space where young people can connect with mentors and see possibilities for themselves. Being a part of that journey and showing them anything is possible is something I think we can all get behind.”

The crowd claps, and multiple camera flashes go off. Stella smiles her red-carpet smile.

“Tonight,” Evren says, “we have some very special items we’re auctioning off and we’re very proud to support the brand-new opening of a local donutie shop, Bliss Bites, that’ll be a permanent feature here in the stadium when the season starts back up in September.”

Stella leans toward the microphone and playfully says, “My friend Elodie is the genius behind it.” Stella and I debated if we should come out as sisters or not, but since Stella doesn’t talk about her family publicly, we decided to call me her friend. “Elodie is an amazing person, and her bakery is going to be the next big thing. Donuties are officially my favorite dessert.”

“The donuties are delicious,” someone, who sounds an awful lot like Hunter, shouts from the other side of the room. A few people chuckle and Evren says, “I hope you enjoy your evening.”

Stella walks off the stage and hugs me as the MC takes over. I try to ignore the feeling of cameras on me, capturing this moment. But it’s difficult, especially when a group of reporters make their way over to us, the lights from their video equipment partially blinding me.

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