Chapter 3 Uninvite Me, You Coward

By the time Serena got home, the beach-weekend group chat was already arguing about food and whether Damian Cross should be allowed to choose the playlist.

Serena voted no twice.

At 11:48 p.m., Damian finally sent a message.

Damian: I will not be attending this trip.

Marcus: Great. See you Friday.

Damian: That was not an agreement.

Serena: Don't worry, Damian. Nobody will miss you.

She set her phone down and went to wash off her makeup. A new message was waiting when she returned.

Damian: I wasn't speaking to you.

Serena: And yet you replied to me. Growth is a beautiful thing.

Talia called immediately. Serena answered with the phone wedged between her cheek and shoulder while she searched for her favourite oversized T-shirt.

"You are enjoying this too much," Talia said.

"I'm enjoying the fact that he can't fire me from a beach trip."

"He could probably buy the beach."

"Then I'll bring a bucket and build my own."

Talia laughed. "You know, I think you two are going to be the reason this weekend is memorable."

"Then I hope you enjoy memorable, because I'm not changing my plans just because Mr. Expensive Watch is attending."

"Good. Because Marcus has already booked the house."

Serena stopped rummaging through her drawer. "He has what?"

"Booked it. Paid the deposit. Sent the confirmation. Apparently, he has been planning this for weeks."

"Why didn't he say so?"

"He did. You muted the group chat."

Serena stared at the phone. "That is not the point."

"It's a little bit the point."

After the call, Serena opened the chat again. Marcus had posted pictures of the beach house, complete with a wide terrace and a pool overlooking the ocean. It looked beautiful, which was deeply inconvenient. Serena had been looking forward to a weekend away after a long month of helping her mother with household expenses and wondering whether she could afford a short course in event styling.

She wanted the trip. She wanted the ocean, the music, the late-night conversations, and two days where nobody asked her to calculate the cost of anything.

She did not want Damian Cross.

Unfortunately, the universe had never been particularly interested in her preferences.

The next afternoon, Serena met Talia at a café to plan for the trip. Talia arrived twenty minutes late carrying two iced coffees and oversized sunglasses.

"You're late," Serena said.

"I had to change."

"You live twelve minutes away."

"I changed twice."

"Your struggles inspire me."

Talia slid a coffee across the table. "You're welcome."

They discussed swimsuits, snacks, and whether Marcus would remember the portable speaker he had promised. Serena had just found a pair of sandals online when Talia looked over her shoulder and smiled.

"No," Serena said without turning around.

"I haven't said anything."

"You have a particular smile when trouble is nearby."

"Maybe trouble is handsome."

Serena turned.

Damian stood at the café counter, speaking to the barista. Beside him was Victoria, immaculate as ever, holding a small shopping bag and listening to him with the easy familiarity of someone who had known him for years. When Damian glanced towards their table, his expression shifted into immediate displeasure.

Serena raised her coffee in greeting.

He looked away.

"Oh, that was satisfying," she murmured.

"Are you going to behave?" Talia asked.

"Absolutely."

"Serena."

"I will behave in a way that feels authentic to me."

Damian approached their table. Victoria remained by the counter, checking her phone.

"Marcus says you haven't confirmed what you're bringing," Damian said.

Serena blinked. "Hello to you too."

"Hello. What are you bringing?"

"An excellent personality. Since the group appears to be short on those."

"Then we may have to pack something else."

Talia covered her mouth with her hand. Serena leaned back in her chair, unimpressed.

"Do you practise being irritating, or does it come naturally?"

"I'm asking a practical question."

"Then ask Marcus. He's the one organising the trip."

"He asked me to make sure everyone has the essentials."

Serena looked him up and down. "And you volunteered? How touching. I didn't know you cared about people."

Damian's expression remained flat. "I care about not spending a weekend without basic supplies."

"Then bring your own supplies."

Damian exhaled through his nose, as if patience were a limited resource and Serena had personally spent most of it. "Are you always this difficult?"

"Only with men who think giving instructions is a personality trait."

For a second, neither spoke. Talia looked delighted.

Then Damian glanced at the shopping page still open on Serena's phone. "Those sandals won't survive the beach."

Serena immediately turned the screen away. "I didn't ask for your opinion."

"You'll thank me when they break."

"I would rather walk barefoot over hot coals than thank you for anything."

"Good. Bring shoes that can handle sand."

He turned and walked back to Victoria before Serena could come up with a suitably devastating response.

Talia waited until he was out of earshot. "You know, for someone who hates him, you two have a lot to say to each other."

"Because he keeps speaking to me."

"And you keep answering."

Serena picked up her coffee and took a long sip. "I hope the ocean swallows him."

"That's not very nice."

"Neither is he."

Her phone buzzed. Marcus had sent a message to the group chat.

Marcus: Quick update: Damian is bringing the supplies. Serena is in charge of games.

Serena stared at the screen in horror.

Across the café, Damian looked down at his own phone. He read the message, lifted his eyes towards her, and gave her a small, infuriating smile.

For the first time since the group chat had been created, Serena and Damian agreed on one thing without saying a word.

Marcus was going to regret this.