"Nothing much!" Portia huffed, getting up with a yful grin. "Just ensure you treat Callie well. Since you''re here, I''ll leave you two alone.


    She grabbed her purse and skipped toward the door. Just as she reached the doorway, she turned back, leaning against the frame with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Darling, don''t forget about me when the fun starts!"


    She winked at Calliope, twirled around, and bounced out of the room.


    Calliope watched her leave, her mind drifting into thought. She had been caught up with her affairstely and almost forgot about the whirlwind in Portia''s life. She''d have to find time to catch up with Fintan soon. "What were you two chatting about?" Ss asked as he walked in, his tall figure casting a shadow.


    "Just gossiping a bit," Calliope replied with a sly smile, closing herptop. "Eamon filled you in, didn''t he?" "Yeah, he called me right after speaking with you and told me to pick you up." Ss paused. "You know, if you don''t want to go, you don''t have to.


    He understood. Calliope might still care about Gideon. After all, she had loved him once, giving so much of herself to him. Witnessing someone she once adored marry another could be a bitter pill.


    Ss knew the sting of that pain all too well.


    "Why wouldn''t I go? I''m in it for the show! There must be some drama today," Calliope said with excitement. "Fleur''s personality shes with Yvette''s. She''s sure to give her a hard time."


    Calliope spoke from experience. She''d had her fair share of run-ins with Fleur. When she was smitten with Gideon, she often swallowed her pride to keep the peace when Fleur stirred up trouble. Looking back, it seemed ridiculous how much she tolerated to win Fleur''s approval and got treated like a servant in the process.


    Now that Yvette was in the hot seat, Calliope was more than ready to be a spectator.


    Ss studied Calliope''s face. There was no hint of sadness, only genuine eagerness for the impending spectacle. Only then, his worries eased.


    Calliope and Ss left Kirin Fondue, heading to Ss''s car. Like a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat, Ss produced a slice of cake.


    "Is that a slice from Azure Bakery?" Calliope''s eyes lit up at the sight.


    "I thought you''d like it. Picked it up on the way," Ss said casually. "We probably won''t eat for a while, so this should hold you over."


    "Thanks!" Calliope said, already nibbling on the cake. She adored Azure''s confections.


    In the driver''s seat, Fagan silently rolled his eyes.


    "On the way," indeed. They had


    detoured miles out of their path, and the line at Azure Bakery was a nightmare. Yet Mr. Myers insisted on standing in line, iming it was for his wife and had to be personal.


    Who cared who bought the cake as long as Mrs. Myers enjoyed it? But Mr. Myers was relentless. Fagan had seen people pampered, but this was a whole new level.


    "Take it easy," Ss murmured as the car cruised smoothly.


    He nced up from his iPad, noticing a dab of frosting on Calliope''s lips. He reached out to gently wipe it away and licked his finger clean before returning to his work.


    Calliope paused, watching him with a slight surprise at the casual intimacy of his gesture.