Quinn grins, unfazed.“Darling, holiday spirit waits for no one.Besides, it’s not about Christmas—it’s about the aesthetic.”
“The aesthetic of what?Looking like Santa’s flamboyant backup dancer?”Tasia quips, taking another sip of wine.
Oh, she’s salty tonight.
Quinn gasps, clutching his sequined lapel.“How dare you?Santa wishes he had this much flair.”
Vivian laughs so hard she nearly spills her wine.“Quinn, I missed you.Never change.”
“I never do, darling.Well, unless you include my hair, my wardrobe, and vibe,” he replies, sinking into his wingback chair with a dramatic sigh.“Now, what did I miss?You better not have been gossiping without me.”
“We were just about to analyze theSmoke and Sapphirelibrary scene,” Carlie says, holding up her copy of the book.“And byanalyze, I mean arguing about whether it was hot because of the tryst or the emotional connection.”
Quinn’s eyes light up as he pulls his copy from his bag.“Oh,finally!That scene was everything.I need to know where everyone stands.”
Vivian takes her seat, already looking vindicated.“Thank you!It was pure fire.No need to overthink it.”
“It wasn’t just fire,” Lily says, her voice calm but firm.“It worked because of the buildup.The tension was finally resolved, and it felt earned.”
“Ugh, here we go again,” Vivian groans, rolling her eyes.
“Sexy without substance gets boring fast,” I say, finally looking up from my phone.“The scene worked because it had layers.If it were just steamy without the emotional connection, no one would care.”
“Preach,” Quinn says, pointing his copy of the book at me like a microphone.“Bradley and Ming are perfection because of their vulnerabilities.The way they finally opened up to each other?Swoon-worthy.The tryst was just the cherry on top.”
“You are all so exhausting,” Vivian says, shaking her head.“Can’t we just agree that it was hot and move on?”
“Nope,” Tasia says, grinning as she leans back.“I’m with the group on this one.The angst and mutual respect made it work.”
“Thank you,” I say, raising my palm in approval.
“I tell it like it is,” Tasia replies with a lopsided grin.
“Okay, but can we talk about the part where Bradley almost burned the library down with that candle?”Carlie says, laughing.“That felt a little excessive.”
“Agreed,” Lily says, nodding.“It’s always a candle with these romance heroes.They need to learn about LED lighting.”
I snicker under my breath.
Quinn shakes his hand dramatically.“Oh, but the candle was symbolic, darling.The burning passion, the reckless abandon—it’s practically poetry.”
“It’s practicallyarson,” Tasia counters, her grin widening.“Symbolism doesn’t matter if you burn down the setting.”
The group dissolves into laughter again, and I let out a small chuckle despite myself.It’s these moments—when the Dirty B’s are in full chaotic harmony—that almost make me forget about everything else.
Almost.
I shudder, thinking about who will be waiting for me at my house when I get there.With that, I reach out, pouring myself a generous glass of Vivian’s expensive French wine.I take a big old sip, savoring the flavor and hoping it gives me the buzz I need to not care that my house has been invaded by the enemy.
Vivian claps her hands, reclaiming the spotlight.“Alright, enough about the book.Let’s talk about something more exciting—like karaoke night.”
Tasia groans.“You’re still on about that?”
“Yes,” Vivian says, her excitement undeterred.“Lily told me Nocté’s doing a big karaoke night tomorrow and I want us to win it.It’s going to be fabulous.Lights, drinks, and the chance to absolutely destroy a Britney Spears classic.What’s not to love?”
“I can think of several things,” I mutter, leaning back into the loveseat.
“Come on, Anna,” Vivian says, pouting.“When was the last time you did something fun?”