I met Maddox at his place before because there was no way I was letting him pick me up from Jupiter's. I'd followed through with taking space from Noah, but it didn't stop me from worrying about his problems. Jupiter had spoken to him, and he didn't once bring up his problem with alcohol and gambling. She did say that his eyes were bloodshot, and he appeared to be hungover reassuring me that I had made the right decision.

And then Maddox asked if I'd go with him to an event Saturday for his family's company. I didn't have the heart to tell him no.

He walks out, still working on his tie as I observe one of the two paintings above the couch. They complement each other well: one with a mixture of fiery reds and purples with the other being the calmest of blues with greens mixed in. They connect in the center with a swirl, and I'm awestruck.

"They're incredible," I comment, turning to look at Maddox with a smile. He smiles faintly and nods in agreement.

"Yeah, they are."

I look down at the pale blue tie hanging around his neck undone, and before I know it, I've got it tied perfectly. Maddox raises an eyebrow at me, and I stumble over my words, "My... ex could never do it himself, so I had to learn myself to help. It's a near-perfect match to my dress." I leave out the part where the color matches our eyes perfectly and that I'm not sure how I feel about calling Noah my ex.

My dress is a deep v-neck with a front leg slit and pale blue with gold and silver embellishments sewn carefully into the fabric in exquisite patterns. It feels like something that's too much for me, like I'm truly a child playing dress-up. But the dress was waiting at the front desk under my name, and it didn't take a genius to know that Maddox had picked it out and paid for it. Jupiter swooned when she saw it, and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't.

"I tried, you look beautiful," He compliments sweetly, pressing his lips to my forehead. I suppress a giggle when I feel his scruff, "Did you do something different with your hair?" Maddox asks, taking a careful sweep over my hair that is pinned up expertly thanks to Jupiter.

I adjust the lapels on his suit, making sure they lay flat, "Just went a little fancier than normal." I'd hoped he would ignore that I had re-dyed my hair brown because my blonde roots had started to grow in, and I was worried that he would smell the dye. "You look great," I compliment taking in how his short blonde waves are brushed back, and Maddox had let his scruff grow, helping to accentuate his strong jaw. His dark suit fits him perfectly, and the gold cufflinks help depict a strong sense of masculinity.

Maddox smiles and takes advantage of our close proximity by brushing his lips over mine, and I rest my hand on his chest to coax more out of him. He makes forgetting everything so easy.

I'm distracted by the vibration of his phone coming from inside his pocket, and I pull back giggling like a schoolgirl with a crush, "Maddox, your pocket."

He takes a step back and pulls the phone out of his pocket, "They're here, but I have one more surprise for you."

"I don't need a surprise," I say suspiciously following behind him, and he goes to a bag that was sitting on the countertop, grabbing a velvet box. He hands it to me proudly, and I open it hesitantly. Inside rests a beautiful diamond drop necklace, and my jaw drops, "I can't accept this."

He rolls his eyes and pushes it towards me, "Non-returnable. It'll just sit in that box collecting dust unless you decide to wear it."

I hesitantly look at it as if it will bite me if I touch it, "I'm not here because I want your money. I don't need the dresses or jewelry."

"I never thought you were; they're just presents. There's no harm in accepting them." Except he would think that if he knew who I was. Maddox stares at me, and I dip my chin slightly in acknowledgment of what he's saying, "Can I help you put it on?"

I let out an exhale, and honestly, accepting a diamond necklace from Maddox should be the least of my problems. I turn and feel the cold touch of the metal hit my chest as he clasps it on the back of my neck. This is rent. This is groceries for three months. This is Maddox caring.

I throw my arms around him, pulling him into a hug, and if he's caught off guard, Maddox doesn't show it. Instead, he returns it by pulling me close to him, "We should probably go out to the car, or Hayes is going to be awfully crabby when we show up late to the gala."

Approaching the car, I feel all the butterflies in my stomach start to flutter all at once. A chauffeur opens the door for us, and Maddox steps aside for me to get in first while the couple in the car pull apart as Maddox follows in behind me. "Seems like you were getting busy," He teases, and the man rolls his eyes.

"Took you long enough to come out," He grumbles, and I try not to laugh because some of her lipstick has rubbed off onto him, and he's oblivious to it.

Maddox picks up on it also but doesn't comment directly on it, "Cassidy, this clown is Hayes and his wife, Sephine. Guys, this is Cassidy."

"I'm not a clown. I'm your cousin and boss."

Sephine notices what we notice too and laughs outright, causing her to get a weird look from Hayes, who is the only one not clued in. "Benson, you have some lipstick on your mouth."

He shrugs and wipes at it, "Worth it." His face softens as he looks at her with complete adoration, and it's easy to see that they love each other. Is that too much to ask for? I then notice that she's drop-dead gorgeous like supermodel pretty with her caramel hair and light eyes. The elegant black dress she's wearing is off the shoulder and fits her like a glove.

She smiles kindly at me, "It's nice to meet you, Cassidy, I've been wondering when Maddox was going to bring you around."

I return the smile feeling the nerves in my stomach start to ease, "It's nice to meet you, too; your dress is beautiful."

Maddox rests his hand on my knee, and I try not to let it affect me as his thumb swipes back and forth. "Thanks, I appreciate it. So how did you two meet?" Sephine asks curiously, eyeing the two of us.

"I spilled wine on her dress," Maddox sheepishly admits causing Hayes to laugh and Sephine facepalms.

"Smooth man, real smooth."

Sephine nudges Hayes' shoulder, "Like you were any better. The first time you spoke to me, you told me I dressed innocent and needed to show off my stomach more." I try to suppress the laugh threatening to escape from my throat, "But really Maddox? I expected better. What color was the dress?"

I cringe slightly, thinking about how much it cost and how I couldn't return it with the giant red splotch on the front, "It was white, and honestly it was my fault. I bumped into him. I guess we've just kind of continued from there," I smile, placing my hand on top of his.

"Well, I'm glad you guys are together because I was worried I would have to set him up with one of my friends at the company." She seems quite genuine, and I feel bad for deceiving them. I'm deceiving everyone.

The butterflies in my stomach come back stronger than ever, "Seph, you wouldn't." Maddox snorts, and I'm stuck thinking that maybe he would have been better off if Sephine had set him up with her friend.

She grins at Maddox, "I would, but now I hope I don't have to. Where are you from?"

"Vegas," I answer back, trying to keep my tone light. Vegas wasn't the happiest place for me.

Hayes smiles, "That's awesome. Do you still have family there?"

Maddox resumes tapping on my knee, and I force a smile to maintain my mask, but it doesn't work, "Um, I don't. It's just... me." For all I know, my mother is dead, just like Ty and my dad. This was bound to come up at some point. I'd mentioned Ty in passing, so Maddox knew about that, but I wish I'd had a chance to tell him before now.

The air in the car feels like it was sucked out as Hayes understands what I mean, "My apologies, I didn't know."

I shrug, trying to seem unfazed, but I'm not doing the best job, "It was a long time ago." And it was. It's been seven years since I've heard from Mom, sixteen since Dad, and twelve since Ty. Yet it still feels like it was yesterday.

Sephine rests her head on Hayes' shoulder, "Gone but not forgotten."

I force a smile as Maddox gives me a concerned look, but I nod, letting him know I'm fine. The worry doesn't leave his eyes though as he smiles.

*********

This party is a whole different level than most of the events I've snuck into. The dresses are all extravagant, and no one is without a drink in their hand as everyone mingles. Maddox has kept his arm around me most of the night, never straying far, but I can't say I mind because it's nice. It's comforting.

My arm is looped with another, and I turn to see Sephine smiling, "C'mon, I've got some friends that I'd like you to meet."

Maddox smiles and encourages me to go, and I feel the flutter of nerves come back to my stomach as I let Sephine lead the way. "No drink for you?" I ask, noticing the lack of one in her hand, and she shakes her head.

"I can't; I'm almost two years clean. Pills, but I avoid alcohol like the plague," She admits, and I try not to let the shock appear on my face, but my masks have started slipping lately. Sephine just seems so put together that I can't imagine seeing her any other way.

"I didn't know, I'm sorry."

For such a tiny person, she is moving quickly in her heels, and we only stop a few times to greet people who are clearly distinguished. Then my arm is released, and Sephine throws her arms around a taller but equally as gorgeous woman with medium length dark hair and high cheekbones. "I'm so glad you're back." It then hits me a moment later Sephine is hugging Tessa Kaplan. I really shouldn't be surprised that she's here, but I only remember her because Jupiter follows her on Instagram.

"Of course, I'm here. We got back from Italy this morning, and I'm exhausted, but I couldn't wait to see you. Plus, you know I never miss an excuse to dress up."

Sephine laughs in response and then motions to me, "Tess, this is Cassidy. She's Maddox's date." Her eyes grow wide and then drift to me, and I feel inadequate standing next to them.

"You're really pretty holy shit. No wonder he brought you," She states bluntly, and I look at her confused.

"What?"

"Ignore her. She spent years being oppressed by her career that now Tessa says everything that comes to mind," Sephine teases, and Tessa rolls her eyes.

"I just meant that it's been a while since he's brought a date to one of these things, and I'm not really surprised that you're gorgeous." She smiles at me, and I try to wrap her words around my head. Does this have to do with Paige?

"Oh, well, thanks," I say dumbly, and I realize I'm just continuing to make a fool of myself. "Why were you in Italy?"

Sephine smiles widely, "Well, Hayes bought a house there a year ago, but Grayson and Tessie use it more than we do."

Tessa nudges her with her elbow, "I know I've told you not to call me that, Grayson's my fiancé and Hayes' best friend. It's not my fault you guys never go. I think I could live there."

"I've always wanted to go, but it's never been the right time," I say, slowly acting more like myself. Tessa's pretty cool.

Sephine's face lights up, "We should take a girl's trip soon! I've been wanting to go back for some shopping."

"It's a great idea, but there's no way in hell Hayes is letting you out of his sight anytime soon," Tessa says, and my curiosity is stuck on her statement. Is it because she's an addict? "Cassidy and I could go though. You would love it there. The water is so blue, and there are so many museums."

Sephine rolls her eyes at Tessa's comment about Hayes, "How many museums did you drag Gray to?"

Tessa seems to be Sephine's version of a Jupiter, and I almost wish that Jupiter was here with me. She is going to be so jealous when I tell her everything.

I miss Tessa's reply, but I can tell by their laughter that he was forced to go to a few. "How long have you guys been friends?"

"Shit, I think it's been five years now?"

"I think so; I lose track of them. Tessa used to be my arch-nemesis."

"But I'm the reason you and Hayes got together in the first place," She reminds Sephine, and I find myself smiling along with them. The nerves from my stomach are gone.

"You guys are more interesting than I would have thought," I admit, making them laugh.

"Cass, you don't even know the half of it. Plus, I know how boring it gets listening to the men talk business all night long, and I certainly wasn't going to let Gabby and her groupies trap you. They might tear that dress right off you with the way some of them were eyeing you," Sephine shudders dramatically.

I run the name through my head quickly before recalling the woman I was talking to at the first event after Maddox spilled wine on me. She seemed kind enough. "What's wrong with her?"

Tessa shrugs, "I don't personally have a problem with her, but she tried hooking up with Hayes at some event a year ago. She stayed away for a bit after that but started going after Maddox."

Sephine scowls, resting a hand on her stomach, "I was on tour with the company, or I would have been there. Stupid girl has been going after Maddox lately, and you wouldn't believe what a relief it was to find out he's been seeing you."

"That's a terrible thing for someone to do," I smile genuinely at her, "That's really sweet of you to say though. Thanks."

"You do like him, don't you?" She asks, tilting her head, and I don't have to think before responding.

"I do." I should feel guilty for admitting that, but even a few days away from Noah has helped clear my head.

A pair of arms wrap around my torso, and I jump in surprise but relax when I recognize they belong to Maddox. "That's reassuring to hear," He murmurs lowly into my ear.

"Sorry, I changed my mind. I didn't realize you could hear me," I tease back, and Sephine is smiling happily at us.

Maddox ignores what I said, "Hayes wanted me to find you guys. Something about checking in?" Something I'm learning about Maddox is that he's very big on staying in contact, whether it's with his hand on my thigh or resting on my back.

Tessa rolls her eyes, "See Seph, and you really think he's going to let us take a girls trip to Italy?"

"I don't need a babysitter," Sephine grumbles, but the corners of her mouth are trying to lift upward into a smile.

"Not yet," Tess winks, and I put the pieces together. She's pregnant. Suddenly it all makes a lot more sense, even though she is an addict, Sephine can't drink now anyways. I don't know the full story there with Hayes, but it would feel wrong to look it up. Just like digging into Maddox's past would be wrong too. "Maddox, have you seen Gray around?"

His arms slowly remove themselves from around me to where it's just one hand resting on my back, "Yeah, I think he was talking to Garrett Reynolds."

"I'll find you guys later," Tessa says before slipping back into the sea of suits and dresses.

"You can tell Hayes I don't need you to keep an eye on me, I'm perfectly fine, and I've got Cass here to protect me," Sephine jokes and Maddox tries to shake his head.

"That's not what I'm doing at all."

She gives him a flat look twirling one of the curls from her ponytail, "I've been to enough of these to know that you have plenty of people you need to talk to, especially with your new job. Just go on, we'll be fine."

I twist out of his grip as he pouts, "Go, it's okay if you need to talk to people." The hesitation tells me that Sephine was right. There are people he has to talk to.

"Save me a dance?" He asks, and I nod, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek.

"Of course."