After Lily and Victor disappeared upstairs to pack for their unexpected trip, the table buzzed with half-hearted chatter and clinks of cutlery. Maddie stood up quietly, muttered something about fresh air, and made her way to the garden.
She barely had time to breathe in the scent of morning dew when she caught sight of Sarah. The girl was leaning into Caleb, her hand wrapped gently around his as she laughed about something—New York, probably. Maddie froze mid-step, her stomach knotting at the sight.
Caleb looked up and saw her. Instantly, he sighed and gently pulled his hand away from Sarah. "Maddie!" he called, jogging after her.
She didn't stop walking.
"Maddie, come on. Why are you angry?" he said as he caught up to her. "I didn't even invite her."
"But you let her into the house," Maddie said, turning to face him with her arms crossed.
"That wasn't me! Cassie let her in," Caleb defended, exasperated. "What was I supposed to do? My parents adore her. You know how they treat every guest like family."
"She's not just some guest, Caleb," Maddie said, her voice tight. "She's your ex. Your first love. That's not something you just forget."
"And you're my last," Caleb said immediately, stepping closer. His voice dropped to a softer register. "You. It's always been you, Maddie. You know that."
Maddie blinked at him, her arms dropping slightly. "...Really?"
"Really," Caleb whispered, and reached for her hands. She let him take them. He pulled her into a warm hug, resting his cheek against her temple. They stood like that for a while—quiet, steady, understood.
Hand in hand, they walked back into the house.
As they entered the dining room, Sarah looked up. Her smile faltered as she noticed their interlocked hands. Caleb didn't flinch.
"I have an announcement," he said with a grin, still holding Maddie's hand. "I and Maddie—my girlfriend—are going on a date tonight."
Maddie blinked and looked up at him. "We are?"
Caleb nodded with a smug smile, "We are."
He looked around the table. "So don't stay up too late. And try not to kill each other while we're out," he teased, shooting a playful look at Cassie and Blair.
They all laughed—except Sarah, who just stared quietly at her now clearly taken ex.
With a gentle tug of her hand, Caleb led Maddie upstairs again.
Once inside Caleb's room, Maddie turned to him. "So, ground rules?"
Caleb laughed. "Go easy on me?"
Maddie smirked. "Not a chance."
---
---
They stepped into Caleb's room, the door clicking shut behind them. It was the same space Maddie remembered, but somehow it felt different now—warmer, more real. Maybe because they were real again.
Caleb flopped onto the edge of the bed. "Alright, boss. Lay it on me. Ground rules."
Maddie sat across from him, cross-legged on his beanbag chair. "Okay. First rule—you don't get to flirt with your ex in front of me ever again. Even if you claim it's innocent."
"I didn't flirt!" Caleb protested.
She raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, maybe my hand lingered a little, but that was her, not me. Rule noted," he mumbled.
"Good. Rule two—we talk things out. No silent treatment or storming off. If something's wrong, we say it."
"Communication. Got it," Caleb said, holding up a hand like he was swearing an oath.
"Rule three—no secrets. If something's bothering you, or if you're hanging out with someone I should know about—tell me. I don't want to hear anything from Cassie or Blair first."
"Right. No more sneaky Sarah appearances. Got it." He nodded again, more seriously this time.
Maddie leaned back. "Rule four—dates. We're doing them. No skipping. We go out at least once a week. And it doesn't have to be expensive. Even just walking and talking."
"I like that. As long as I get to pick sometimes," he said with a smirk.
"Deal. Fifth rule—we're not rushing anything. I want us to feel right, not rushed. I'm not expecting flowers and fireworks every day… I just want us to be consistent."
Caleb leaned forward. "I can do consistent."
She smiled. "Good. And the last rule—no falling asleep without saying goodnight. That's non-negotiable."
Caleb grinned. "That one's cute. I'm stealing it even if you didn't make it a rule."
They both laughed. He reached for her hand again, lacing his fingers through hers.
"I missed you, Mad," he said softly.
"I missed you too. But this time, we do it right."
He nodded. "This time, we're solid."
---
---
Blair's Room – 5:15 PM
Maddie pushed open Blair's door and stopped mid-step, her heart warming at the sight. Blair had three different dresses lined across the bed, holding one up in front of her own body, checking it in the mirror.
"Awwwn, B! You love me so much," Maddie squealed, throwing her arms around her.
Blair laughed. "Of course I do! Now, shush and try this one on. You are going to look like the moment tonight."
Maddie raised a brow. "Tell me you didn't pull out the sparkle dress."
"I did. You're welcome." Blair smirked.
Maddie slipped into the glittery, deep emerald green dress—sleeveless, form-fitting at the top, flaring softly at the waist. It hugged her curves just right. Blair clapped, doing a little spin.
"Oh my god, Maddie, Caleb's gonna pass out."
They burst into giggles, and Blair pulled her toward the vanity. "Okay, sit. It's glam time."
They laughed and chatted as Blair did Maddie's makeup—glowy skin, soft bronze eyes, bold lashes, and a nude gloss that made her lips pop. Her hair was curled into soft waves, parted slightly to the side and tucked behind one ear with a dainty pearl clip.
"You're gorgeous, I'd date you," Blair declared.
Maddie winked. "You already picked my dress, so technically you're taking me out tonight."
---
Caleb's Room – 6:30 PM
Andrew lounged on the beanbag, tossing a tennis ball into the air. "Bro, Sarah showing up outta nowhere is insane. I never liked that chick. Maddie's a million times better."
James, sitting near the window, looked up from his phone. "Honestly, love how you and Maddie found your way back. She makes you less annoying."
Caleb chuckled, adjusting the collar of his charcoal tux with a black satin lapel. His white shirt was crisp, his black bowtie perfectly knotted. "I clean up nice, huh?"
"Alright GQ, relax," Andrew said. "Maybe tonight's the night you finally talk to Blair, James."
James looked away. "Nah. I need to stay away from her. The things I feel for Blair… they're beyond me. Dangerous."
Andrew raised a brow. "That's love, bro. Look at my boys catching feelings. Meanwhile, I'm out here living the dream. One fine girl after another."
Caleb snorted. "More like 'Man Whore Monthly.'"
They all burst out laughing.
---
Downstairs -6:45pm
Cassie and Jazmine were curled up on the couch watching a movie when Sarah, perched at the edge of a seat, saw Caleb descending the stairs. Her eyes followed his every step—tall, sharp, put together in that tux like he walked off a runway.
She stood up quickly and grabbed his arm, pulling him to the side.
"You're really going out with her?" she said lowly. "With me in the house? Are you trying to make me jealous?"
Caleb pulled his hand from hers. "Jealous? Sarah, you're not even supposed to be here. We broke up a long time ago. And that girl is my girlfriend. Don't talk about her like that. And stay away from me. Don't complicate things."
As he turned to walk away, Sarah gripped his wrist again. "Why do you think I came, Caleb? I still love you. I wanted us back—"
He didn't even glance her way. His eyes were already on the staircase.
Blair came down first in a cute blush pink two-piece set, her curls pulled into a high puff. But Caleb's gaze went straight to Maddie—his Maddie.
She descended in the emerald dress, soft waves bouncing over her shoulders, lips shining, cheeks glowing. She looked like a dream.
"Hey," he said, walking toward her. "You are… absolutely gorgeous."
Maddie smiled, slipping her hand into his. "Thanks. You're not so bad yourself."
Blair gave her a wink and whispered, "Now go make him fall all over again."
Caleb and Maddie walked out the front door, fingers entwined.
As the car started and they drove off, Caleb glanced over at her. "I wasn't kidding, you know. You're the only one I see."
Maddie smiled, heart full. "Good. Let's keep it that way."
---