XVI

Summer Preston

2 baddies + nolan 😻

It's coronation day!

Nolan

Way too early for Morse code.

Adrianna

It's from Frozen dumbass.

He just killed the vibe ngl.

Nolan

There wasn't a vibe to kill?

You're blocked.

Adrianna

Are we eating hotel breakfast or going out?

Going out.

Nolan

We literally have free hotel breakfast!

Adrianna

Just shut up and be ready in 20 minutes.

Exactly.

Nolan

Stop co-signing.

Stop contacting me.

I closed out of the group chat and stepped out of bed with a grin that could rival the sun. Today was premiere day, and excitement bubbled in my chest like champagne. Everything had been planned meticulously, and I prayed nothing went wrong.

If it did, you'd find me at the bar drowning my sorrows in something stronger than hope.

I headed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and completed my skincare routine. Then, I slipped on a black short-sleeve bodysuit, grey Essentials sweat-shorts, and my Yeezy 700s. After brushing my hair and leaving it wavy, I topped it off with a baseball cap and my MIU MIU sunglasses. Grabbing my handbag, I double-checked that I had everything before stepping out the door.

The elevator ride down to the lobby was quick, and as soon as the doors opened, I spotted Nolan and Adrianna waiting for me.

"Took you long enough," Nolan said, crossing his arms dramatically.

"Don't start with me," I said, giving him a playful shove.

He laughed, and the three of us headed out of the hotel, blending into the lively streets of LA.

"Do we have a restaurant in mind, or are we just winging it?" Adrianna asked, squinting up at the morning sun.

"Winging it," I replied. "Since no one bothered to call an Uber."

"You need the steps anyway. Stop complaining," Nolan said, smirking as Adrianna burst out laughing.

"I'm not arguing with someone who devours an entire Chipotle bowl in one sitting," I shot back.

"Am I supposed to stare at it instead of eating it?"

"No, but maybe consider pacing yourself?"

"Okay, but that's you."

"Exactly. Good luck finding my waist next week," I said with a giggle.

"Literally looking at it right now, but sure," Nolan muttered, making us all laugh.

After a short walk, we stumbled upon a restaurant called Bacon & Beyond and decided to give it a shot.

The vibe inside was cozy and warm, and the aroma of sizzling bacon was absolutely divine. We slid into a booth, and a waiter came over to take our orders.

I went for the Beyond Bacon Waffle—a Belgian waffle infused with bacon bits, served with whipped maple butter and candied bacon strips. I added scrambled eggs and a glass of cranberry juice.

Nolan ordered the Bacon-Stuffed Waffles & Fried Chicken, a combo of bacon-filled Belgian waffles paired with buttermilk fried chicken, topped with maple butter and spicy honey drizzle.

Adrianna opted for the Bacon-Stuffed Peppers, which were bell peppers filled with bacon, rice, black beans, cheese, and roasted with a spicy tomato sauce.

"I never knew you could do so much with bacon," I said, scanning the menu in awe.

"It's cool to see people get creative like this," Adrianna agreed, nodding.

"Do you think the maple bacon churros and maple bacon cheesecake would be good?" Nolan asked, his eyes lighting up.

Adrianna and I shrugged in unison, sipping our drinks.

"You're both useless. I'm ordering them anyway, and don't even think about asking for a bite!" he said, pointing at us accusingly.

As promised, when the waiter returned with our meals, Nolan added the desserts to his order.

We dug in, enjoying the bacon-filled goodness. I convinced Adrianna and Nolan to share bites of their dishes, though Nolan complained—until he saw the stuffed peppers.

We left the restaurant completely stuffed and headed back to the hotel. Once we arrived, we went our separate ways.

Back in my room, I collapsed onto my bed, scrolling through Netflix until I landed on Carry-On. Everyone had been raving about it, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Ten minutes into the movie, I decided to text Solené.

Hey Sol, I sent.

Her reply came almost instantly.

Hi pretty.

I couldn't help but smile.

What are you up to?

Just finishing up at the gym. You?

Breakfast with Nolan and Adri.

Did you enjoy it?

Yes! It was bacon-themed, and everything was delicious.

That sounds amazing. I really need to see Nolan and Adri again.

You'll see them tonight, assuming they're not with their latest flings.

That sounds about right. I'm guessing you'll be with yours too?

You know I don't do flings.

I know. I just wanted to hear you say it.

Want to come watch a movie with me?

Right now?

No, in five years.

I mean, my schedule might be free by then.

You're so annoying. Just come to my room.

I'm sweaty—I just left the gym.

I don't care.

Fine, send me your room number.

I sent her my room number and set my phone down, waiting. A few minutes later, a knock sounded at the door.

When I opened it, there she was, cheeks flushed and hair falling out of a messy bun. She held her shirt in one hand and her phone and water bottle in the other.

Her Nike sports bra hugged her toned figure, highlighting her abs and sculpted arms. Before I could say anything, she tilted my chin up with her finger.

"As much as I appreciate the attention, it's hot in the hallway," she teased.

I swatted her hand away, stepping aside to let her in.

"Don't you dare sit your sweaty ass—"

Before I could finish, she flopped onto my bed, sprawling out like a starfish.

"You've got to be kidding me," I said, grabbing the nearest pillow and hitting her with it. "Now I have to order new sheets!"

"Relax, it's not that serious—"

"Do you know how tight hotel housekeeping tucks those sheets?" I exclaimed, hitting her with every word.

Laughing, she pulled me down onto the bed, and I ended up straddling her waist.

"Are you done being abusive?" she asked, her hands resting on my thighs, gripping gently.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. But you're helping me fix the bed before you leave."

"Deal," she said, extending her hand.

I shook it firmly. "Deal."

She smiled and placed her hand back on my thigh. "Now, let's watch the movie."

I climbed off her, settling against the headboard, and she snuggled in between my legs, lying back comfortably.

"What are you doing?" I asked, restarting the movie.

She hushed me, turning on her side and ignoring my question entirely.

I shook my head, deciding to let it go, and focused on the screen.

I didn't know when we had fallen asleep, but I woke up to the sound of camera shutters and flashes making my eyes squint as I tried to adjust to the light.

I realized I was lying on top of Solené, her arm casually draped around my waist.

Standing over us, Nolan was munching on curly fries, while Adrianna stood beside him, her phone in hand, snapping pictures like the paparazzi.

"Why are you two being absolute creeps? Watching us sleep? And how did you even get in here?" I groaned, sitting up slightly.

"That's not important," Nolan said, strolling to my mini fridge and grabbing a bottle of water. "What is important is that I knew you two were dating."

I rolled off Solené, causing her to stir awake. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, looking between the three of us with a sleepy smile.

"The gang's all here," she said with a chuckle.

"Hi, Lennie," Adrianna greeted sweetly.

"Hi, Adri. Hey, Nolan," Solené said, waving lazily before glancing at me. "What's this about dating?"

I let out an exasperated sigh. "These two creeps keep assuming we're dating. Oh, and they were watching us sleep."

"We weren't watching you sleep! We literally got in here two minutes ago," Adrianna protested.

"Yeah, okay," I replied, unimpressed, earning a quiet giggle from Solené.

"We're not dating yet... but we will be," Solené said with a smirk before leaning over to kiss the side of my head.

Adrianna and Nolan's jaws dropped simultaneously, their wide eyes darting between the two of us.

"And where are you going?" I asked as Solené got up and started gathering her things.

"I have to start getting ready. It takes time to look this good," she teased.

I rolled my eyes, smirking. "I'm sure it does. I'll see you soon."

She grinned, waving at the three of us before walking out the door.

As soon as she was gone, a horrifying realization hit me.

We never changed the sheets.

I grabbed my phone and texted her immediately.

We never changed the sheets.

Her reply came quickly:

We'll do it later—after the premiere or the afterparty.

I hearted her message and put my phone down, turning my attention to Adrianna and Nolan, who were both staring at me with knowing grins.

"What?" I said, narrowing my eyes.

"Oh, nothing," Adrianna said, trying to suppress a laugh.

"Yeah," Nolan added. "Not dating, huh?"

I groaned, throwing a pillow at him as they burst out laughing.