My Bestie's Dad Likes Me Wet-Chapter 47 Besteaaaa

NOVA POV

"Here—I knew you would love those."

I drag my gaze from the fresh stack of manga sprawled across my bed. My eyes climb, slow, until they crash into Lena’s face. Her brows twitch, nervous in a way that’s rare for her. Then I notice the tiny package in her hands.

It’s dressed like royalty with its luxurious wrapping, edges neat, ribbon tied tight like a secret. Jewelry-sized. Only jewelry earns that kind of treatment.

"What for?" My voice comes out flat, bored on purpose, because I want her to squirm

"A little I’m sorry for being a bitch gift." She actually air-quotes the apology, her voice laced with fake guilt. The effort’s so corny that I can’t help it. I grin and pull her into a hug, even as the puppy eyes finish their attack.

"No worries. You’re forgiven," I murmur against her shoulder, already tugging the ribbon loose. Curiosity wins every time.

Inside, a bracelet gleams. Cute, simple, but classy enough to scream intention. Sisters by choice curls across it in italic letters, small diamonds winking in the light. At the bottom, a tiny handwritten note reads: A token for the wrist that always has my back. —Sorry for hurting you bestie :)

My chest squeezes. I blink hard, because there’s no way I’m crying over a bracelet but my throat burns anyway.

When I lift my gaze, Lena is already shoving her wrist toward me. Hers sits stacked between Tiffany and Cartier, showing it off like proof that she means it.

"LeLe, you didn’t have to do this, baby." I only call her that when she’s being unbearably cute, and she knows it. The name makes her smile, which makes me hug her tighter. Just like that, the silence of the last few days dissolves, all the irritation, all the cold shoulders. Even Tyler being more into her than me was gone.

Friends before men.

Always.

"No man is worth ruining our relationship over, baby," I add, softer now.

"That’s the vibe." She brushes a stray tear from my cheek with her thumb, then gently fastens the bracelet around my wrist like it belongs there.

And of course Katie ruins the moment.

"Now don’t you dare come near me with a tacky-ass bracelet. If you adore me, Dior me. And if you want to channel my forgiving spirit, you better Chanel me."

We break into laughter so loud my ribs ache.

"Girl, you can’t change," I tease when I catch my breath.

"And you—do you think you’re a fan of change either?" Lena fires back, eyes twinkling with mock challenge.

I gasp dramatically, clutching my non-existent pearls against my chest.

"Excuse me? I’m Change’s biggest fan."

Katie snorts. Lena tilts her head like a cat about to pounce. I know that look. The kind of mischievous grin that means trouble. My sixth sense starts screaming trap, and I’m rarely wrong. Katie and Lena agreeing on anything about me is a total bloody Red flag.

"Alright then," Lena says. "Prove it."

"Prove it how?" I puff out my chest, channeling every ounce of fake bravado. "Name your price, paupers. I’m rich in gold and silvers." I throw in my most embarrassing William Ducket impersonation just to sell it.

They exchange a glance that makes my stomach sink.

"I know somewhere," Lena says slowly, stretching it out like she’s savoring the setup. "That hosts the most badass overnight costume party."

I open my mouth. She slices her hand through the air to silence me.

"Nothing horrific, don’t worry. You just kind of... play a character you’ve always wanted. And even if it’s something gory, you can add a seductive twist." Her grin widens. "Now... what were you about to say, Nova?"

"Yes, Nova." Katie folds her arms, mock-sweet. "You were saying something about being Change’s number-one fan? Don’t tell me you’ve switched clubs already."

I swallow hard, my brain running a fast audit of my life.

Tyler isn’t dead. Luca is still circling like a shark, dropping gifts louder than fire alarms. Grant’s in the shadows too, but his gifts are different. They are kind of quiet, thoughtful and definitely intentional. From Poetry books, first-edition manga, sweaters so soft they feel like confessions, to flowers enough to fill a house and they are always dropped unsigned, but I know. If it were Luca, his name would be stamped on the packaging in neon.

And I’m stuck between the devil I know and the demon I have no option but to get familiar with and I’m stuck between them both.

"Well..." I roll my eyes theatrically, dragging out the moment. Katie leans closer, suspicion dripping. Lena’s eyes gleam like she’s already reading my thoughts.

"Well?" Katie demands, voice sharp, foot tapping.

"Well... I’m sorry but, you know—"

"I knew it!" Katie explodes, throwing her hands up like I committed a federal crime. She stomps off to her side of the room, muttering curses.

Lena doesn’t move. She stays steady, her gaze fixed, voice soft. "We know what?"

I blow out a breath. "If you guys can help me pick a fit—’cause I’m outdated as hell when it comes to—"

"I knew it!" Lena screeches before I can finish. She launches herself at me, jumping on my back, hugging me like a maniac.

"Told you, Katie. Patience."

"Yeah, whatever," Katie hisses, but the smile tugging at her mouth betrays her.

"Sooo..." I drag the word out, smirking.

"Spill it, girl, stop stressing my facials." Lena pokes my cheek.

"Well..." I stall again, then blurt, "I’m thinking it’s high time I change my looks.. you know maybe start with tinting my hair?"

Silence. Then chaos.

"What!" Katie and Lena scream together, voices high-pitched enough to shatter glass.

My own gasp slips out too, like my mouth betrayed me. Because honestly? I didn’t plan to say it out loud. The words just... escaped. Kind of.

But once it’s said, there’s no taking it back.

"I’m totally in," Lena says instantly, clapping like a child.

"Let’s do this," Katie agrees, already whipping out her phone to book a salon.

And that’s it. Decision made.

•••By nine p.m., the room looks like a boutique threw up in it with shopping bags, sequins, accessories scattered everywhere.

We spent more than half the day tearing through racks until we found costumes that screamed main character vibes. Sexy, bold, a little dangerous.

Now I’m staring at myself in the mirror, blinking at the stranger looking back.

Burgundy hair, sleek bob brushing my shoulders. Sharp enough to make a statement but not screaming for attention like Katie’s platinum blonde color suggestion earlier. Lena backed me up in the debate, and for once, I’m glad.

The bracelet glints on my wrist as I smooth my costume down, nerves and excitement wrestling in my chest. Behind me, the girls are finishing their makeup because they insisted I go first.

"Picture time!"

Lena calls, dragging me into frame before I can bolt. I’m wedged between them, awkward as hell, while they strike perfect poses.

The car ride is chaotic. Cardi B blasting through the speakers, Katie shouting lyrics at the top of her lungs, Lena adding her own dramatic ad-libs. I laugh until my cheeks hurt, until even the new songs glue themselves to my brain.

And then we step into the club.

The bass rattles my ribs. Lights strobe across a sea of bodies, glittering, writhing, alive. For once, I feel untouchable and badass. The kind of girl who turns heads just by existing for the first or maybe second time in my life.

Katie’s in her short, scandalous Jessica Rabbit dress, boobs defying gravity. Lena’s rocking a swimwear-style Catwoman fit, sleek and unapologetic.

And me?

Well... me.

For the first time in forever—

I look like a girl who could start trouble.