Sabina is sitting at her desk on Thursday, staring at Tristan's empty seat across the glass. Last year, it wasn't this evident—this quietness, this missing.

Disgusting. She wrinkles her nose and sends him a message. You've done this to me. This annoying missing you feeling. Tf

Tristan doesn't respond. She groans to herself. At least her work hours will be done in ten minutes, and then she's meeting her best friends for a much-needed girls' night.

Except her cellphone rings just as she's about to go back to work. She frowns and picks up. It's Adrian. "Yes, imbecile?"

"Hello, gremlin," says MJ's boyfriend in return, an annoying smile in his voice. "What do you say we slack off work today? It's an emergency, apparently."

Sabina sits up straight. "I'm listening. Where's the body?"

A chuckle. "No body."

"And now I'm not listening." She leans back and inspects her nails. "You do know I'm busy, right? Do I look like someone who has time to put up with your shit, Flynn?"

"I should actually be the one asking you that. MJ asked me to go shopping with you today instead because something came up for her at the hotel."

"She's bailing on me?" Sabina scowls. "She said she was free!"

"And now she's not, she sacrificed me." Adrian is still smiling. "And I heard you were sad. So let's go shopping and get drinks afterward. I need to talk to you, too."

Sabina groans. "If this is about a proposal, pass. Harton did that shit with me already."

Adrian's silence is enough of an answer.

"Ugh." She rolls her eyes. "Fine. I'll see you in ten. Bring your brain because I'll need opinions."

"Oh, you're such a pleasure to talk to, Sabina. As always."

"I'll talk to idiots the way I want to, Flynn, thank you very much." She hangs up.

Blows up her group chat with her best friends. Why am I hanging out with your servant instead of you!!! I need ur opinion bitch i'm gonna boil ur teeth

Three dots appear next to MJ's contact picture. Sorry, darling! 65th Anniversary for CH Suites is coming up so i gotta stay back longer. We can reschedule for tomorrow if you want?

Sabina scowls. I'm sad today, not tomorrow. and i'm packed with work shit tomorrow i rlly hate u rn :)

Andy's chat bubble appears. Actually, Sab...i'm so sorry but i can't do it today either, i have a PTA thing at the school and i forgot to tell you im so sorry :(( <///3

SERIOUSLY texts Sabina, her nails making clicking sounds on her keyboard. I HATE YOU BTOTH

Andy is quick to apologize. BUT rhys is available!!! he'll stand in for me :D i love u sab im so sorry :(( i'll make it up to you, food & drinks on me the next time, just rlly busy this week. School back on and all :(

MJ responds. love u bitch

Sabina sneers at her phone. fine. icb i'm spending the day with males. YOUR males. while mine is out doing god knows fucking what. i'll fill ur sinuses with urine the next time i see both of you

Andy sends her a string of kiss and heart emojis. have fun sab!! i told rhys to be nice so if he's not tell me and no sex for him today

Sorry, says MJ. but I can't promise that. besides, adrian's always nice he's the sweetest <3

Sabina rolls her eyes. At least one of her friends is willing to sacrifice sex for the night as a consequence to this betrayal.

She grabs her bag, squeezing the phone in between her shoulder and ear to call Rhysand, and signals Denver to come along. Andy's husband lets her go to voicemail.

She rolls her eyes and calls his office.

"You've reached Rhysand Harton, how may I help you?" the other voice on the line says.

"Tell Rhysand Harton that Sabina Kyle better see his ass in half an hour or I'm going to tell his wife he's not being nice."

"Uh." The voice is flustered. "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but—"

"Chop, chop."

Rhysand has an angry (or is that his normal) look on his face as he follows after Sabina and Adrian at the mall. His and Sabina's security walk behind them. "I have a lot of work, Sabina," Rhysand says through gritted teeth.

"Funny!" Sabina says, grinning. "I do, too. But I'm sad, and Andy said you were free, and it's important for my brothers-in-law to tend to me when my sisters aren't available."

He stares at her. If Sabina weren't so attuned to Rhysand already, having known him for about seven years, she'd be scared of him. Not that she's willing to admit it—Sabina can be scary, too.

Adrian grins. "C'mon, Rhys. Maybe we can get something for MJ and Andy, too."

Rhysand doesn't say anything else.

The first store Sabina drags them to is her favorite brand, Yvette Coral. Adrian and Rhysand are ushered to their seats, and Sabina dumps her bag on their laps, proceeding to the racks. The saleswomen smile at her—she's a regular here.

She picks up a bunch of clothes, hangs them over her arm, and calls, "I don't wanna see any looks of boredom when I come back out, ladies! I want hype!"

As expected, Rhysand doesn't respond. Adrian says, "Uh, okay!" in an unsure tone. Sabina rolls her eyes and strips off her clothes in the dressing room. Males.

She puts on a mini dress in white first with a deep v-neck line, down to her navel, with ruffles along the sleeve and a fitted waistband, and a skirt that hugs her hips perfectly. She takes off her ponytail and lets her hair fall loose, checking herself out in the mirror with a grin. Fuck, she looks amazing.

Sabina opens the door. If Andy and MJ were here, they'd be watching her do her signature walk as she steps out of the dressing room and cheer embarrassingly loud. But they're not, and Sabina sighs, putting her hands on her hips to show Adrian and Rhysand. They both look up from their phones, and Sabina spreads her palms out and twirls around. "Well?"

Adrian nods, giving her a thumbs-up.

Sabina raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. There's no fucking hype. "If you were MJ, she'd say, 'damn, bitch, you're fucking sexy.' I don't expect the same from you guys, but give me something to work with, come on!" She snaps her fingers.

"Oh." Adrian clears his throat and sits up. "Um, it looks good, Sabina. You should get it."

Sabina smiles. Looks at Rhysand.

He stares at her with the most blank face she's ever seen. "I'm not complimenting you for shit."

Her smile grows wider. "You don't have to."

"Then what the fuck am I doing here?"

Sabina taps her foot impatiently. "This person standing in for Andy is not being very Andy-like. At all, actually." She circles her palm in the air in front of Rhysand. "No sunshine and rainbows and love here. Anyway, should I get this or not?"

Rhysand is silent, staring at her.

Sabina clicks her tongue and shakes her head. "You're not being very nice, Harton."

Sabina sees the exact moment his eyes harden and his jaw tightens. He grits his teeth and says, "Yes."

"Good. That's all you have to say, Rhysand," she singsongs. "Yes or no. Adrian, you're doing good. I know it's because you need something from me later tonight but I need you to fill in the hype for both of you right now because Rhysand's energy is as dead as a fucking corpse."

So they spend the rest of the hour in Yvette Coral—among the four bags she's taking with her as they walk out of the store, she purchased a black one-shoulder sleeveless bodycon dress, a blue and tan embroidered corset top in lace with a matching tan skirt, a tweed crop jacket, and a wool pinstripe cropped blazer and slacks.

Sabina also spotted perfect outfits for each of her best friends. For MJ: an Emilia Wickstead satin silk mini dress in ivory, which Sabina just knows her orange head (and Adrian) will be so thankful for, and for Andy: a Reva bodysuit in peach floral with off-the-shoulder long sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, and elasticated cuffs. Sabina's not sure Andy will even wear this, but she hopes she does, she'll look fucking amazing (more than she already does. Maybe Rhysand can get rid of the stick up his ass).

So she buys them both and shoves it in each of their man's hands. "For MJ. For Andy. Thank me when they wear it."

They each take the bag. And then Adrian asks hopefully, "Drinks now?"

"No, two more stores for shoes and bags," Sabina says, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

When they do finally get drinks (dinner first, though, of course), Adrian is exhausted, and Rhysand isn't even speaking anymore. Not that he did much of any speaking early on in the day, but the annoyed lines of his features and the glares he's been sending Sabina's way have been quite evident of his tiredness and exasperation and 'why the fuck did my wife have to have this crazy ass for a best friend?'.

Sabina feels a lot better, though. If MJ's form of coping is drinking and dancing, and Andy's is baking and sleeping, Sabina's is shopping. And then drinking (and before, hotboxing).

Adrian orders their drinks and slumps down on the couch. Their booth is at the far end, the secluded VIP section of the bar. To Sabina, he asks with a grimace, "Don't your feet hurt from all that walking?"

Sabina shrugs and downs a shot, crossing her legs. "I'm used to it. I'm a model, remember?"

He laughs out loud, and his hair falls over his forehead. Sabina has a moment of realization—Adrian is cute. Good job, MJ. "Okay. I have a question."

Rhysand takes one glass. "I'm going home after this drink, I have work tomorrow." He looks at Sabina. "And you better tell Andrea I've been nice."

"Oh, we all have work tomorrow, Rhysand, chill out. One of us is a fuckin' doctor, even. And also, no, you gotta give advice to Adrian here. As the married man."

Adrian clears his throat and rubs his palms together, setting his glass down. "Okay. Sabina, what does Mary Jane think about getting married to me?" He puts on a thoughtful look. "Does she get disgusted, or—or flustered, or excited? Does she even want to get married? Is she ready?"

She leans back against the couch and sips her drink. "I'm not her five year-long boyfriend, so I wouldn't know. Even if I did, I'm not spilling any of my sisters' secrets. But, I will tell you this: she needs her nails done, there has to be an official photographer, make sure her hair is nice, ah, and catch the right side of her face, she hates the left. And, oh, she hates anything cliche and over-the-top." Sabina clears her throat and side-eyes Rhysand. "Not all of us can afford what Harton did."

"Shut the fuck up." To her delight, the tip of Rhysand's ears turn pink, and he clears his throat and looks away. "It was a sure yes for me."

The model snorts. "Yeah, after I gave you, what, fifteen pep talks and helped you pick out the ring."

"Shut up—"

"Okay!" Adrian claps his hands together, pointing to himself. "We're talking about me here, children. I need ideas."

They don't actually end up giving him any ideas, and they spend the rest of the night talking as friends do (Rhysand said a total of twenty-three words). When Sabina gets home, crashing into her covers as soon as she strips off her clothes and slips on her pajamas, she finds that Tristan has sent her a couple of messages:

Who would've thought Sabina Kyle could be clingy :) Don't worry, I miss you too.

Hey, Kyle. You're out drinking?

Okay, Denver said you're with Rhys and Adrian. Get home safe, please. Text me if you're not too wasted. (I told Denver to call me once he's dropped you off, too)

Sweet dreams, honey :)

Through her droopy eyes, she manages to type a reply back. Hi handsome im home. went shopping

His reply comes fast. Sabina bites her lip to keep from smiling. You good, Kyle? You shop excessively when ure sad

Sabina releases a heavy breath and rolls over on her mattress. i'm hella expensive, bishop. u know this already.

Cmon. be honest with me for a sec.

Sabina rolls her eyes. are you not cheating on me? ill cut off your dick if you are

It's quicker, his response. No. I promise.

She shuts her eyes and inhales a sharp breath. ok i believe u. im just...still a lil worried

And you hate being worried, says Tristan. I'm sorry. Go to sleep, I'll pick you up tomorrow after your shoot

Sabina's fingers get lazy. ok gudnyt honey see u tom

Tristan sends her a heart emoji back.

Sabina smiles and tosses her phone aside. Disgusting.

*

Sabina is doing her photoshoot with a fellow brand ambassador.

His name is Marco and they've...well, they're familiar with each other. An old friend.

"Good to see you, Sab," says Marco, eyes twinkling as he's led to his dressing room.

Sabina groans to herself and heads to her own dressing room. The last time she and Marco did a photoshoot together, they were all over headlines for their 'steamy chemistry on and off camera'. And Sabina will admit—he was one of her two-week flings. They went out on dates, were booked in interviews, and even went to a gala together (in which they hooked up afterwards). But Marco wanted more than casual, and she didn't, and that was the end of it. This was before she started sleeping with Tristan.

But they're professionals. And professionals will do their work regardless of their personal history, although it is kind of hard to do when the shoot calls for some compromising positions that Sabina would not have find bothersome if not for Tristan watching behind the camera.

He came earlier than expected. He spots her at the set, looking dashing in his polo shirt and slacks, and smiles.

Sabina can ignore the way her heart beats louder, and she looks away and focuses on Marco. He's watching her, smiling. "Ready?"

"Yeah." She shakes it off. This is work. "Yeah, let's do this."

At the photographer's cue, Marco steps closer and puts one hand on the wall beside Sabina's head, keeping his eyes on hers. Sabina presses herself against him, clutches his tie in her hand, and leans closer to bump their foreheads together.

Marco's eyes slide downwards to her mouth. Sabina does the same. The photographer takes the shots.

"Feels like old times," Marco murmurs, smirking.

"We're not talking about old times," Sabina counters. They switch positions, and this time Sabina puts her hand around the back of his neck, and Marco keeps his stance and head turned toward her. She looks at the camera.

His hands are low on her hips. He squeezes them. "You look gorgeous," he whispers.

"Shut the fuck up and work," Sabina says.

They go for a dress change after a couple more shots, but their next set isn't any better. Marco is shirtless this time, and Sabina is put in a red-checked two-piece lingerie that makes her ass and boobs look amazing.

She's whisked back into set as soon as her makeup is done and her hair is up in a bun. The room is bright, and all the standing lights blind her for a second before she's in work mode. Marco shamelessly looks her up and down before they're led to a makeshift door, and Sabina turns around, arching her back. Her fellow model puts his hands on her hips and moves forward, pressing his front to her bottom.

Sabina is a model. She's used to owning herself as a sexual being, she knows she's desirable and she wants to be desirable. Tristan has watched almost all of her shoots as she does her thing in front of the camera, and the idea of her boyfriend watching now should be hot, but there's an uncomfortable itch crawling up her skin.

Work, Sabina tells herself. This is work. Tristan knows that.

"You okay?" Marco asks lowly, moving back just an inch, hands loosening.

"Fine." Sabina props her elbows against the door and looks at the camera, flaunting her body the best way she knows how. "I'm fine."

Marco steps back into her space and they continue the shoot.

They also take shots on the bed, with Sabina suspended over the mattress, Marco laying down below her. From the director's instructions, they plaster on loving smiles, noses touching.

As soon as they call it a wrap, Sabina wraps her robe around herself, and the photographer calls them over, grinning widely, to show them the 'amazing shots'.

Sabina leans over the computer, her face set into a grimace. God, that looks fucking real. Sabina's face and posture and body and eyes—like she's in love with Marco, like she wants him.

Marco grins at her. "We did amazing, Sab. The press is going to go crazy."

"Good job," she tells him. And then she thanks the crew and turns around to head to her dressing room.

When she's changed into her cropped hoodie and jeans, she finds Marco standing outside. He stands straight and smiles at her. "Hey. I thought you'd be happy with the pictures."

"I am." Sabina smiles back. "Look, Marco. You're a great model, I'm a great model, I'm going to go home because I'm exhausted, so let's end it at 'good job today and I can't wait for our spreads to come out'. Okay?"

Marco raises an eyebrow. His mouth curves. "Sabina. You just saw how great our chemistry was. Is, still is. Don't you feel anything for me anymore?"

"I'll feel sorry for you if you keep pushing me," Sabina fires back, raising an eyebrow. She crosses her arms over her chest. "We had a history, Marco. I'm not interested in repeating that again, okay?"

He stares at her for a second. "I'm not talking about the relationship thing, Sab."

"I'm talking about both the relationship and the sex thing, I want neither with you. Bye."

Sabina finds Tristan just as she walks away from Marco. He takes her bag from her and asks, "Ready to go, Ms. Kyle?"

Right. The bodyguard thing at work. Sabina almost rolls her eyes. "Yes, Tristan." She gives him a sweet smile. "Home, please."

He opens the door for her and tosses her bag on the backseat. As soon as he starts the engine, Sabina reaches over, kisses his cheek, and comments, "You're back early." She straps on her seatbelt, pursing her lips at the blankness of his face. All smiles gone.

"Yeah," Tristan says, reversing the car with one hand. Bare minimum as it is, Sabina had always found that hot, but now she's squirming because it's even hotter when he's jealous. Or, well, she thinks he is. "You wanna get some food on the way?"

Sabina nods.

While Tristan's relaying their orders through the drive-thru speaker, Sabina stares at his hand resting on the gear stick. He's wearing his shiny watch. "There's something wrong with your hand."

Tristan moves windows, not glancing at her. "Hm?"

"It's not on my thigh."

He looks at her with a raised eyebrow. "If you can't tell, I'm kind of pissed off right now, and I'm trying to organize my thoughts clearly before we talk because I don't want to say anything that I don't mean. That's why it's not on your thigh. Okay?"

Sue Sabina all you want, but all she can think about, while Tristan's busy paying for their food, is: oh. His dick is big.

She already knew it was big, but it was fucking nice to think about, too.

On the silent drive home, she texts her friends: it's a GOOD SIGN when ur man wants to talk about why theyre pissed off with u, right

Both Andy and MJ's chat bubbles appear.

MJ: yes. what did u do this time

Andy: YES! but what happened? :(

It's crazy how Sabina can imagine how those two look like while typing out their very different responses.

Sabina: i had a shoot with marco

Andy: oh. sex on legs guy?

Sabina: ok first of all we r not calling him that anymore

MJ: hunny. HUNNY. WHAT DID YOU DO

Sabina: NOTHING. i didnt do shit, we had a couple photoshoot with fucking lingerie and it was like sex and romance on camera it was work nothing else im crazy about tristan ill go WOOF WOOF bark bark on anyone who tries to hit on him

MJ: the woof bark thing is so on-brand

Sabina: right? i thought so too

Andy: GO TALK to tristan, sab!! ALSO, while we're all here, i just want to remind everyone that we are having our triple date on halloween, clear your schedules or i won't make you my future children's aunts

Sabina takes a peek at Tristan. He's still looking ahead, driving with one hand, eyebrows pinched together.

Her phone buzzes.

MJ: october is a month away why is it scheduled already

Andy: because it's impossible to find a time where we're all free, ok??? RSVP yes to being an aunt right now or no and you'll be cut off from the Hartons

Sabina: can i just say tristan's dick is so fucking big

MJ: tmi

Andy: mood tho (but w rhysand)

Sabina: also, i'm going to be the super cool aunt B) it's a yes for me, tristan and i will clear our schedules

MJ: not if I be the super cool aunt first. I'll get back to u with Adrian but I'm RSVP-ing yes rn. also, when did andy become so bossy

Sabina: when she snagged rhysand fucking harton. did u know he calls u andrea now that you're a harton too

Andy: HE DOES?????///??

Andy: OHMYGOD thats so cute im gonna cry

Andy: the last time he called me by my full name was when i left him

Andy: and we haven't had a serious fight so far into marriage so he always calls me baby and sunshine and my wife :')

Andy: oh shit im gonna cry im at the bakeshop

Sabina: NOT RIGHT NOW KID im having a relationship crisis pls be on standby when tristan and i talk ok

Sabina: laters, whores

MJ: Laters, hoe. and andy bub ily ure so cute

Andy: Laters, ladies :D <3 ((am on standby by the way))

MJ: ((me too))

"Okay," Sabina says, as soon as they've eaten, washed up, are in pajamas, and ready to watch a movie but they can't because Tristan hasn't spoken yet. She crawls up the bed, straddles him, and puts her hands under his shirt, running her fingers on his skin. "You wanna fuck it out first?"

"No." Tristan catches her wrists and glares at her. "Don't appease me with sex."

Sabina raises an eyebrow. "Okay. Then I hate beating around the bush. What are you pissed off about, exactly?"

Tristan looks at her and tilts his head back against the headboard. "I'm not pissed off. Anymore."

"You doing that thing with your face, yeah, the one where you push your tongue on your cheek, and it means you're pissed off. Still. Yeah, you do that."

"I'm just curious. You said he was just an old friend. You didn't tell me he was an ex-lover."

Sabina groans. "I don't have lovers. You are my only lover."

"An ex-fucktoy, then."

"Okay, it's not a big deal."

"It looked real, Kyle. The pictures, too."

"That means I'm a fucking amazing model. Thank you, but it was work," she argues, curling her hands around his shoulders. "I was working, and I was working with my co-worker."

"Which is why I said I'm not pissed off anymore." He runs his hand over his face and laughs once, like he's finding the whole thing ridiculous. "I know it's work. I know you were working. But why do I feel annoyed?"

"Honey, you were gone for three days and it was the first thing you saw."

"And uneasy?"

"Because you think I'm not serious about you because I didn't tell you what he was to me, but baby." She brushes her thumbs against his cheeks and smiles at the dejected look on his face. "It doesn't matter to me. He doesn't. That's why I didn't tell you. You know what does matter? That you were watching, and I didn't want you to see me getting all cozy with another dude. Even though it was for work."

"It was not just cozy."

She leans forward and touches their foreheads together. She closes her eyes and sighs. "I know, and if the roles were reversed, I'd be going crazy on your ass right now even though it would be for work. You're handling this way better than I would be."

Tristan manages a small smile. Finally, he raises his hands and puts them on her hips, stroking the skin along her waistband. Sabina relaxes. "You're crazy about me." He murmurs this, like a whisper, like he's teasing, but also like he can't really believe it.

Is it normal for her heart to ache like this?

"I am." Sabina rolls her eyes, nonchalant. "If it makes you feel any better, Marco wanted a relationship, too, just like you did. The difference is that I thought he wasn't worth it, but you are. You still are. So fuck yeah, I'm serious about you, I'm crazy into you. Now, are we going to watch the movie first or fuck first? Personally, I'd like the latter first because your communication skills are immaculate and I thought your dick was so big in the car and I was kind of screaming to MJ and Andy about it."

Tristan laughs. His whole face lights up as he throws his head forward, burying it against her shoulder and neck, pulling her closer to him. "Idiot," he says breathlessly in between laughs. "I hate you, Kyle."

She cups his neck and kisses him. He presses back just as eager, and he smiles against her mouth.

"Okay, I told you that when you smile when we kiss, we're going to sin."

"I choose sinning first," he says, staring at her lips, leaning forward again.

But she holds up one finger and reaches out for her phone. Sabina types a message to her friends. UPDATE: your girl is gonna suckkk

"Kyle!" Tristan shouts, laughing, reaching for her phone. Sabina stretches it out of her reach. "God, are you really going to send that?"

"They're my sisters, they're part of the package," Sabina says, grinning. "They know everything. Also, they were on standby."

"Standby?"

"In case I needed to call them and drink and, I don't know, rant. If things went south. Anyway." She hits send on that and tosses her phone somewhere in the covers, pulling his sweatpants down. "I am going south now, so shut up and put your hands in my hair."

Tristan scoffs exasperatedly, but his fingers slide against her scalp. "I can't believe I'm dating you."

"Shut up."

"Make me—oh, ah—"

Sabina smiles and pins his hips on the bed. So she does.

*

thank you so much for ur comments they make my day <3