14

The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow across the Fig Tree Gardens, where the Midsummers gathering was already in full swing. Laughter drifted over the hedges, glasses clinked, and string lights were being lit one by one, even though the sun hadn't fully set.

Stella stood at the entrance, the soft breeze catching the hem of her light yellow dress — delicate, strappy, and just formal enough for the kind of old money event her mother insisted she show up to once a year.

"You look... wow," Oliver had said earlier, pausing for a second longer than usual when he came to pick her up. "That color's kind of insane on you."

Stella had offered a polite smile, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself." She meant it — he was in a perfectly tailored cream linen suit, looking very much like the son of someone who summered in the Italy and attends Yale.

She stepped through the archway beside Oliver, heels clicking against the polished wood of the temporary walkway. Cameras flashed for the society page. Everyone was dressed like royalty.

She smiled for show, but her stomach twisted. Everything about this was too polished, too practiced. She didn't hate it — she just didn't feel like she belonged in it.

Inside the tent, chandeliers glowed above white tables topped with gold accents and fresh arrangements. The Camerons' table sat near the center, and Stella followed Oliver as they were ushered toward it.

Ward stood to shake Oliver's hand, offering Stella a warm nod. Rose smiled like she always did: tightly. Rafe wasn't there yet, but Sarah was, dressed in a pale pink gown, sipping something clear and likely spiked.

"Hey, you clean up nice," Sarah said with a smirk, leaning in to kiss Stella on the cheek. "Come with me. We're touching up in the bathroom."

Stella raised a brow. "Already?"

"I'm not fixing my makeup," Sarah grinned. "Just trust me."

She grabbed Stella's hand and tugged her away from the table before she could protest. They passed servers, a few older guests raising their brows at their hurried steps, and ducked behind one of the side flaps of the tent — straight toward the pop-up bar under the oak trees.

"What happened to the restroom?" Stella asked, glancing back.

Sarah just grinned. "Change of plans."

Behind the bar, pouring shots with a dramatic flair and wearing button-downs that were absolutely not regulation, stood Olivia and JJ. JJ tossed a towel over his shoulder like he was actually getting paid, while Olivia leaned over the counter, sunglasses still on despite the sun nearly being gone.

"Well, well, if it isn't the queen of yellow herself," Olivia called out. "You look edible."

Stella blinked. "You two are bartending?"

JJ gave a cocky salute. "Honorary volunteers. They don't know yet."

Sarah laughed. "They'll figure it out when half the table's drinking tequila instead of champagne."

Stella leaned on the bar, relaxing for the first time all evening. "Pretty sure everyone would love that right now." She sighed,

JJ poured two shots, sliding one to each girl. "Then welcome to the real Midsummers, princess."

Olivia leaned across the bar, her eyes gleaming behind her sunglasses as she tapped Stella's glass. "So when were you going to tell me about that tall, blonde Ken doll you walked in with?"

Stella rolled her eyes, half-laughing as she sipped her drink. "Oliver Hampton. His mom set us up. My mom and her are like, tea-and-country-club close."

JJ snorted, not looking up as he wiped down the counter. "Didn't realize mannequins came with a pulse now."

Sarah let out a small giggle and Olivia stifled hers behind her hand, but it faded quick, the group falling into a shared hush when they spotted Oliver making his way over.

He approached the bar, still wearing that polished smile, button-down crisp despite the summer heat. "Thought I might find you here," he said lightly to Stella, his eyes skimming over the group.

"Just needed a minute," Stella replied, her tone pleasant but not overly enthusiastic.

Oliver nodded, then glanced at the others. "Mind if I grab a club soda?"

JJ handed it to him without a word, his expression unreadable. The air hung a little heavy, like everyone had silently agreed not to say what they were thinking.

"Thanks," Oliver said smoothly, before turning back to Stella. "I'll be at the table."

She gave him a small nod and watched him walk off, feeling every glance exchanged in the silence that followed.

Olivia leaned in again, quieter this time. "He's... nice."

Stella just hummed, sipping her drink. "Yeah. Real nice."

But her eyes didn't follow Oliver. They drifted toward the doors instead—toward the night outside, like maybe she was hoping someone else might walk through them.

"Crap, someone's already giving a toast," Sarah said, glancing at her phone as distant clinking echoed from the ballroom. "Come on, if my mom sees we're not at the table she'll have a stroke."

Stella nodded, setting down her drink. The two of them slipped through the crowd, heels clicking against marble as they rushed back to the long, candlelit table near the front.

As they approached, Stella's steps faltered just slightly. Sitting near the center — a little too comfortably — was Rafe. He was leaned back in his chair, arms crossed loosely, the light from the chandeliers casting sharp lines across his face. Next to him sat a girl Stella didn't recognize — tall, tan, brunette, and clinging to Rafe's arm like she belonged there.

Rafe looked up when he noticed them. His eyes met Stella's briefly, unreadable and sharp, then flicked to Sarah. "Finally," he muttered. "You missed the first half of the speech."

Sarah rolled her eyes and slid into her seat. "Nice to see you too, Rafe."

Stella offered a polite, distant smile. "Hi."

Rafe didn't smile back. "You're with Hampton now?" he asked, not even bothering to hide the slight edge in his voice as he glanced at Oliver across the table.

Stella blinked. "I'm just sitting."

Rafe shrugged, looking away as if she wasn't worth the energy. His date leaned in and whispered something in his ear, and he gave a low laugh, like he wasn't just moments ago making Stella's stomach twist with one look.

Sarah nudged Stella's leg under the table, her face neutral but her eyes wide, like: Yikes.

Stella kept her posture straight, lifted her chin slightly, and focused on the man at the podium giving the speech. But her heart was somewhere else — somewhere between the sting of Rafe's voice and the ice cream shop memory that suddenly felt much farther away.

Conversations buzzed, laughter echoed, and through it all, Oliver stayed glued to Stella's side like a designer accessory she couldn't return. He talked — a lot — about tennis, internships, and how his mother was considering buying property in Aspen. Stella nodded and smiled, offering polite responses, but inside she was screaming for air.

Every time she shifted slightly, hoping to move away or grab a breath of freedom, Oliver would redirect, touching her arm, asking if she was cold, suggesting they walk the gardens. She'd never wanted a brick wall to talk to her less.

Sarah caught her eyes from across the table, clearly reading her distress, and gave a small, dramatic eye roll like Do you want me to kill him or distract him? Stella barely tilted her head, and Sarah was already reaching into her clutch with a plan.

Minutes later, JJ appeared out of nowhere — dressed in a black button-up that somehow made him look like a semi-professional bartender and tapped Oliver on the shoulder.

"Hey, man. Sorry to interrupt, but Stella's grandfather asked to see her. Something about— I don't know, family history or... money scandals. Real serious stuff."

Oliver blinked. "Now?"

"Urgent. Capital U."

Stella gave a small gasp like she just remembered, instantly grateful. "Oh, right. He called. Sorry, Oliver."

He looked disappointed but nodded, excusing himself to go refill his drink. The second he was gone, Stella exhaled like she'd just stepped out of a chokehold.

JJ gave her a crooked grin. "You owe me."

Sarah reappeared seconds later. "Come on, let's go 'find Grandpa Valentine' before Oliver realizes no one at this party has ever even seen your grandpa."

They ducked into the side hallway, away from the ballroom, laughter still buzzing in their wake, and Stella letting JJ lead them to one of the tucked-away guest rooms in the manor. It was quiet, dim, and had a view over the marsh. JJ pulled a small flask from his inside pocket like it was second nature and offered it to her.

"God bless you" She sighed, before reaching over and taking a big gulp, squirming as she did. "What the fuck is in here, JJ?"

Sarah laughed, snatching the flask from her. "I deserve this"

But the moment they all finally were at peace, a voice broke through, cold and sharp, making everybody flinch.

"Seriously?"

Rafe stood there, partially in shadow, his suit jacket undone and a hand shoved into his pocket. His jaw was tight, his eyes locked on Stella. "You needed JJ to rescue you from your date that bad?"

Stella froze. "What are you even doing here?"

"Didn't really buy the whole grandpa act," he snapped. "Especially from the guy you're fucking."

JJ sat up a little straighter, brows lifting. "Alright, that's enough—"

Rafe didn't even blink at him. "I recommend you stop talking, Pogue. You really think she wants you stepping in?"

Stella narrowed her eyes. "I can handle myself, thanks."

Sarah groaned. "Can we not do this here? People will hear—"

"I don't care," Rafe bit out. "If she's gonna ditch her date like that, maybe she should at least admit she doesn't want to be around him."

Stella's voice was steady but cold. "What I do or don't want, Rafe, has nothing to do with you."

They stared at each other for a beat, tension high. Sarah grabbed Stella's wrist gently. "Fuck off, Rafe. Come on, Stella"

But Rafe didn't move. He just stood there, watching Stella like he couldn't decide whether to storm off or say something he'd regret. In the end, he said nothing. Just turned and walked back the way he came, jaw clenched tight.

Stella didn't breathe until he was gone.

splitting up midsummers into chapters!!! enjoy