That's How it Happens

33. Behind the Mask

The countdown had officially begun.

They were down to days away from the wedding, and it was time for the obligatory bachelorette party.

The theme – courtesy of Liv, though she claimed there wasn't one – was "Vows & Vices", which in Liv's mind meant "dress like your worst decision" rather than what it truly meant. The result: a room full of satin, sequins, and questionable hemlines.

At least, that's what Ainsley felt like in the mini she'd been forced to wear. She slipped the glittering maid of honor sash over her head, the letters catching the light like a neon sign announcing single men apply here. She tugged at the hem, wishing it had at least another inch of fabric. The dress was so short she felt like she should apologize to the furniture before sitting down.

Her stomach was a ball of nerves, and Liv's idea of fun was typically something of a kilter and completely out of character for her.

And she had to meet Peter.

She had no idea what she wanted to do. Keep pursuing the opportunity with Frank Gold — whom she still hadn't officially met — or accept Leo's offer to be his Vice President. Part of her wanted to prove she could make it on her own, without Leo's hand steadying her every step. If the office caught wind of their relationship and she took the VP role, the rumors would be merciless.

But what relationship? Leo hadn't put a label on it, and since that night, they hadn't slept together again — not like that. Things had slipped back into "friends," except for the occasional hand‑holding that felt too tender to be casual, too fleeting to be certain. She couldn't tell if it was for show or if it meant something real. What if Peter was right — what if Leo was just building her a life she hadn't earned?

And then there was Peter. The man she'd once planned a life with. She couldn't deny she'd enjoyed being with him — even if it had been in secret. But then again, everything in her life right now was a secret, including her fake relationship with Leo.

Peter represented the safe road. The easy road. The one that led to knowing. Leo was the opposite — unstable, unpredictable, a future built on shifting ground. For five years, he'd been her best friend, her constant, her routine. But now everything between them was... different. A good different. A dangerous different.

How long could it last? Leo wasn't the type to settle down. He had rules, boundaries, walls she wasn't sure she'd ever be allowed to climb. And yet, the thought of walking away from him made her chest ache in a way Peter -

"Okay, ladies, let's get in for a picture. I'm setting the timer!" The girls moved together and posed, smiling. The flash was bright, and Ainsley blinked through the spots.

"Oh, come on, Ainsley. Don't be a spoil sport – you didn't even smile. Again," April demanded. She looked phenomenal in her deep burgundy mini. Ainsleys was emerald green. Each of them had a different color of the same cut, with Liv's being silver.

"Photo shoot! Pose," April shouted. "I can't wait to post these!" April exclaimed, looking at her phone.

Ainsley's stomach sank. She didn't want anyone to see her like this – not in this dress, not tonight. Truthfully, there was no telling what was in April's gallery or what would be.

"Now, ladies –" Liv said, handing everyone a mini bottle of booze. "Let's get this party started!"

"It's about damn time," Aunt Kate grumbled, raising her bottle in the air.

Leo paced in the foyer like a man waiting for a verdict. Hands in pockets, out again, back in. He wasn't aware he was doing it.

Jackson leaned against the wall, scrolling his phone, one eyebrow raised. They were waiting for their car to come around. He sighed loudly.