The morning buzzed with possibilities as Geraldine sat at the breakfast table, her phone practically glued to her hand. Carla raised an eyebrow while sipping her coffee. Frances leaned against the counter, chewing on a croissant like it held the secrets of the universe.
"Still texting Mr. Bouquet Boy?" Carla asked with mock nonchalance, breaking the silence.
Geraldine's head snapped up, a little too quickly. "What? No! I mean, yes...but it's casual."
Frances choked on her croissant. "Casual? Sweetheart, you've been giggling like a high schooler for the past hour. That's not casual."
Geraldine rolled her eyes, but a blush betrayed her. "He's just...really funny, okay? And charming. And smart. And—"
"Handsome?" Carla added, smirking.
Frances wagged her croissant. "Don't forget 'rich.'"
"Stop it!" Geraldine said, but she couldn't stop the smile spreading across her face.
Carla leaned back, her voice dripping with suspicion. "So, what's he texting now?"
"Something sweet?" Frances guessed.
"Something flirty?" Carla prodded.
"Or is he finally confessing his undying love?" Frances added dramatically.
Geraldine sighed, tossing a grape at Frances. "He's just asking what I'm doing today."
Frances caught the grape midair and popped it into her mouth. "Lame. At least lie to us for some drama!"
"Why do you two care so much?" Geraldine retorted.
"Because," Carla said with a sly grin, "we're living vicariously through you. It's not every day one of us dates a Nollan. Well...except for me."
Frances snorted. "Oh please, you and Perce haven't even had a proper date. You're still in the Will They, Won't They stage."
"Excuse me?" Carla shot back, mock offended. "We're perfectly fine! He even texted me this morning."
Frances wiggled her eyebrows. "What did he say? 'Good morning, Ms. Snarky Pants'?"
Carla smirked. "Close. He said I'm infuriatingly impossible but also fascinating."
"Oh, how romantic," Frances deadpanned.
---
Meanwhile, at the Nollan estate, Liam sprawled on the couch, texting Geraldine with the enthusiasm of a teenager. Pearll, sitting cross-legged on the floor, stared at him like a scientist observing a rare species.
"Are you smiling at your phone again?" she asked, biting back a grin.
Liam didn't even look up. "Maybe."
Pearll gasped theatrically. "Oh my God. Who are you, and what have you done with my brother?!"
"Shut up, Pearll," Liam said, though his tone was light.
"Let me guess," Pearll continued, leaning closer. "You're texting Geraldine. Wait, let me see!"
She lunged for his phone, but Liam dodged her with surprising agility.
"Get your own love life!" he laughed, holding the phone out of reach.
Pearll flopped onto the couch dramatically. "This is so unfair. First Perce gets all moody over Carla, and now you're smitten too. What am I supposed to do with all this romantic energy floating around?"
Liam chuckled. "Maybe channel it into your art."
"Pfft," Pearll said, waving him off. "Who needs art when I have front-row seats to Nollan Family Drama?"
As if on cue, Perce entered the room, looking as composed as ever, though his slight hesitation betrayed his thoughts.
"What's the latest gossip?" he asked, glancing between his siblings.
"Geraldine," Pearll said, pointing at Liam. "Carla," she added, pointing at Perce. "And me, the glue holding this circus together."
Perce ignored her and turned to Liam. "What's Geraldine up to?"
"Texting me," Liam said smugly.
Perce rolled his eyes, but Pearll wasn't done. "And what about you, Mr. Stoic? Don't think we haven't noticed you sneaking off to text Carla."
"I don't sneak," Perce said flatly.
"Sure you don't," Pearll teased. "You just 'happen' to disappear every time your phone buzzes."
"She's got a point," Liam chimed in, grinning.
Perce sighed. "You're both impossible."
"Admit it," Pearll said, grinning like a cat. "You like her."
"I...admire her," Perce said carefully, though a faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Oh, he's so gone," Pearll whispered loudly to Liam.
---
Back at the triplets' loft, Frances and Carla watched as Geraldine paced the living room, phone in hand.
"What now?" Carla asked.
"He asked if I want to grab lunch tomorrow," Geraldine said, her voice filled with both excitement and panic.
Frances gasped. "A lunch date?! This is huge!"
Carla rolled her eyes. "It's not huge. It's food."
"But it's Liam Nollan food," Frances countered. "That automatically makes it a big deal."
"Stop freaking her out," Carla said, throwing a cushion at Frances. "Geraldine, just say yes. It's lunch, not a marriage proposal."
Geraldine nodded, typing her reply with trembling fingers.
Frances leaned over, peeking at her screen. "You're overthinking it. Just be yourself. Well, the charming version of yourself, not the one who yells at us for stealing her clothes."
"You mean the version of me that tolerates your existence?" Geraldine shot back, smirking.
"Exactly!" Frances said with a wink.
---
That evening, Perce sat in his study, staring at his phone. Carla's name was at the top of his messages, and he'd typed and deleted about fifteen different texts.
"You're overthinking again," came Kellan's voice from the doorway.
"I'm not overthinking," Perce said, though his tone suggested otherwise.
Kellan raised an eyebrow. "You've been staring at that phone for twenty minutes. Just call her."
Perce sighed. "It's not that simple."
"Sure it is," Kellan said, walking in and pouring himself a drink. "She's either interested or she's not. But from what I saw at the gala, she's definitely interested."
Perce didn't respond, but his fingers hovered over the call button.
Kellan smirked. "Don't make me call her for you."
"You wouldn't," Perce said, narrowing his eyes.
Kellan raised his glass. "Try me."
Finally, Perce hit the call button. As the phone rang, he sent Kellan a warning glare.
"You're welcome," Kellan said, leaving the room with a satisfied grin.
On the other end, Carla answered with a cheerful, "Hey, stranger."
"Hey," Perce said, his usually calm voice carrying a hint of warmth.
Kellan grinned to himself from the hallway. The Nollans were falling—one by one.