Chapter 2 Unfortunately, He's Staying

Serena had been at Olivia Cross's birthday party for precisely forty-seven minutes when she decided that leaving home would go down as one of the worst decisions she had made that month.

She was still annoyed about the car incident, mostly because Damian Cross had somehow managed to make her feel like the criminal in a situation that had involved nothing more serious than a misplaced phone and a very unfortunate choice of vehicle. She had found her phone beneath a chair, apologised to Olivia for the commotion, and spent the last ten minutes convincing herself that she would never have to speak to Damian again that evening.

That plan lasted until Olivia appeared beside her with a plate of cake.

"Don't tell me you're still angry."

Serena accepted the plate. "I'm not angry."

"You're cutting that cake like it insulted your mother."

"The cake is innocent. I'm practising restraint."

Olivia laughed and leaned against the table. Unlike her cousin Damian, she had a personality that made people want to spend time with her. She was warm, playful, and entirely too pleased whenever she managed to get Serena into trouble. The two had become friendly through Talia, and Serena had always liked her, even if the Cross family gatherings occasionally tested the limits of that affection.

"So," Olivia began, looking far too innocent, "what exactly happened between you and Damian before tonight?"

"Nothing."

"Serena."

"He made an unnecessary comment about me at Talia's birthday dinner. I responded. He got offended because I didn't bow down and apologise for having an opinion. End of story."

"Damian doesn't get offended."

"Of course not. He just develops that expression that makes it look like he's mentally calculating how much it would cost to have someone removed from the country."

Olivia burst out laughing, attracting a curious glance from a nearby guest.

"You really don't like him."

"I would rather spend an entire weekend listening to my aunt explain why I should have studied medicine than spend ten minutes alone with that man."

"That's a very specific level of hatred."

"I've had time to develop it."

Olivia was still laughing when someone called her from the other side of the garden. Before leaving, she gave Serena a quick hug and reminded her not to disappear before the birthday cake was cut. Serena promised nothing. She was beginning to suspect that escaping the Cross residence would require a carefully planned operation.

Her phone vibrated just as she reached for another piece of cake. Talia had sent her a message asking where she had disappeared to, followed by three laughing emojis and a photograph of Serena climbing out of Damian's car. Serena stared at the picture in disbelief.

She immediately called her friend.

"Delete that."

"No."

"Talia, I'm serious."

"So am I. This is the funniest thing you've done all year."

"I was being chased!"

"You knocked drinks onto a man because he insulted your shoes."

"He said they looked like something his housekeeper would wear!"

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a loud laugh. Serena pinched the bridge of her nose.

"You are not a serious person."

"And you love me anyway. Now stop hiding near the food table and come meet Marcus properly. He's been asking about you."

Serena glanced across the garden. Marcus was standing near the swimming pool, talking to two men she vaguely recognised. When he noticed her looking, he lifted his glass in greeting. She smiled and waved back.

At least one person at this party was pleasant.

She made her way towards him, and within minutes they were talking about the beach trip he had mentioned earlier. Marcus had recently started working with a travel company and had become determined to organise a weekend getaway for their group of friends. He had already found a beach house, worked out the transport, and created a group chat that Serena had muted within five minutes of joining.

"You haven't even looked at the pictures I sent," he complained.

"I looked at the first one."

"There were twelve."

"The first picture was enough to establish that there was sand. I understand the concept of a beach."

Marcus laughed. "You're impossible."

"And yet you keep inviting me places."

"Because you make everything more interesting."

Serena was about to reply when a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Marcus. I didn't realise you knew Serena."

She turned and found Damian standing beside them, holding a glass of water. His expression was composed, but something about the way he looked at Marcus made Serena immediately suspicious.

Marcus, however, appeared delighted. "Damian Cross. It's been a while."

They shook hands. Serena watched the exchange with growing irritation. Apparently, the universe had decided that she wasn't allowed to enjoy even one conversation without Damian making an appearance.

"How do you two know each other?" Marcus asked.

"Unfortunately," Serena said, "we keep meeting."

Damian took a sip of water. "She has a habit of appearing where she's not expected."

"And you have a habit of behaving as though every place belongs to you."

"Some places do."

"How convenient."

Marcus looked between them, clearly entertained. "Have I missed something?"

"Nothing important," Damian answered.

"Several things," Serena corrected. "Most of them involving his ego."

Marcus laughed, and Serena felt a small, unreasonable satisfaction at having someone appreciate her humour in Damian's presence. Damian's gaze moved briefly towards her before he looked away.

"Well," Marcus said, "I'm trying to convince Serena to join us for a weekend at the beach. You should come too."

"No, thank you," Damian replied immediately.

Serena smiled. "For once, we agree on something."

"Wonderful," Marcus said. "I'll put you both down."

"Marcus!" they protested together.

He grinned. "You two are going to make this trip very entertaining."

"There will be no trip if you put my name on that list," Damian warned.

"And there will be no trip if you put mine on it," Serena added.

Marcus pulled out his phone. "Noted. You're both coming."

Serena stared at him, appalled. Damian looked as though he was considering whether friendship was worth the trouble.

For the first time that evening, Serena forgot to be angry. She was too busy laughing at the absurdity of it all.

Then Damian looked at her.

"What?"

"Nothing," he said, his expression returning to its usual coolness. "I'm just wondering how you manage to turn every simple situation into a problem."

She stopped laughing.

"And I'm wondering how you manage to turn every simple conversation into an opportunity to insult someone."

His face hardened slightly. "Not everyone is interested in entertaining you, Serena."

"Good. Because I'm not interested in entertaining you either."

She turned back to Marcus, determined to enjoy the rest of her evening without giving Damian another thought.

Unfortunately, Marcus was still grinning at his phone.

"What are you doing?" she asked suspiciously.

"Creating the group chat."

"Don't you dare."

Too late.

A notification appeared on her screen.

BEACH WEEKEND - NO EXCUSES.

Serena stared at it, then slowly lifted her eyes towards Damian. He was looking at his own phone with the same expression of disbelief.

For a brief moment, they shared a mutual understanding.

They were going to kill Marcus.

And judging by the message that appeared beneath the group name a second later-Damian Cross and Serena Vale, you two are officially in charge of keeping everyone entertained-their friend had absolutely no intention of making it easy.