Chapter 274 The Party and the Pause

Chapter 274 The Party and the Pause

Clara leaned in. “He met her last year while traveling in Sydney,” she said. “Some artist, I think.”

Millie’s eyes lit up, connecting the dots. “Oh, so that’s why…” she said, her voice trailing off with a knowing grin.

“Yep,” Clara said, chuckling. “He says they’re still getting to know each other. Nothing serious, but you know Aidan. Though, if you ask me, he’s changed a lot over the years.”

Millie looked at Clara, pride swelling in her chest. “You were really the friend he never thought he needed, you know.”

Clara rolled her eyes, a mock groan escaping her. “Oh, please. You’d agree he only stayed and became my friend because he felt too guilty about what happened.”

They both laughed, the ease of their banter a testament to how far they had come. They could joke about the past now, the pain of those darker days softened by time and friendship.

Millie’s gaze softened. “It doesn’t matter now,” she said. “You two are close. And don’t worry, as your best friend, I’m okay sharing you with him.”

Their laughter mingled with the party’s joyful hum, the squeals of kids filling the air. A staff member approached, her cartoon-character costume slightly askew, and leaned toward Millie. “Your mother’s here,” she said, gesturing toward the estate’s entrance.

Millie turned, spotting Gretchen striding across the lawn, her hair still vibrant despite the gray, her arm linked with Richard’s. Richard, now in his early thirties, looked more settled, his boyish features sharpened by time, a relaxed smile on his face. They were trailed by his niece and nephew, two toddlers in tiny fairytale costumes, toddling with boundless energy.

“Mom!” Millie called, waving them over. She and Clara greeted Gretchen with warm hugs, while Richard shook their hands, his grin wide.

“This place is amazing,” Gretchen said, her eyes sweeping over the inflatable castles and balloon arches. “You’ve outdone yourself, Millie.”

“Rose did most of it,” Millie said. “But yeah, it’s pretty magical.”

Richard chuckled, glancing at his niece and nephew, who were already eyeing the slides. “These two are going to be a handful,” he said, nodding toward the toddlers. “Trouble on legs, I swear.”

Gretchen sighed, a playful exasperation in her voice. “Tell me about it,” she said. "I wish I had their energy."

As they chatted, a group of kids darted past, their costumes fluttering. One boy, not looking where he was going, collided with Millie, his slushie splashing across her dress, blue and red streaks staining the fabric.

The boy froze, wide-eyed, but Millie just smiled, crouching to his level. “It’s okay, buddy,” she said, her voice gentle. “Go have fun.” She stood, brushing at the stain, and turned to the group. “I’m going to change real quick. I’ll be right back.”

Millie slipped away from the vibrant lawn, the laughter and squeals of the party fading as she climbed the stairs to the master bedroom. The door clicked shut behind her, muffling the distant hum of the celebration. She peeled off her slushie-stained dress, letting it pool on the floor, and stepped into the walk-in closet, her bare feet cool against the hardwood. Scanning the racks, she pulled out a floral maxi dress, its soft fabric perfect for the autumn chill.

The bedroom door creaked open, then closed with a soft thud, and Evan’s voice followed. “Millie, are you here?” he called. “The kitchen’s all set. Should they start serving?”

“In here,” Millie replied, her voice carrying from the closet as she held the dress.

Evan appeared in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, his eyes lighting up when he saw her standing in her underwear, the floral dress draped over her arm.

“Hey there, goddess,” he said, a playful grin spreading across his face.

Millie smiled, rolling her eyes as she moved to slip the dress on, but Evan was faster. He crossed the closet in two strides, gently tugging the dress from her hands and tossing it to the floor.

“Not so fast, wifey,” he said.

“Evan,” Millie protested, smiling, “we’ve got people outside.”

Evan’s arms encircled her waist, his touch possessive as he pulled her close against him, her soft curves melting into the chiseled planes of his body. Then his lips descended on the delicate curve of her neck, a slow, smoldering kiss that ignited her skin.

“You know I’m helpless against you, Millie Berry,” he rasped, his breath a searing caress against her throat.

Then his teeth grazed her earlobe, nipping with just enough pressure to coax a soft gasp from her parted lips. Her hands found his shoulders, fingers sinking into the taut muscle beneath his shirt.

“Evan,” she said, half-laughing, half-warning, “they’ll look for us.”

“Let them, wifey,” he said.