“Shut up,” I grit out, glancing at the three men. They’re at their usual table in front of the windows. Thankfully, that should mean they’re out of earshot.
Originally, I was supposed to be going to the Valentine’s Day masquerade ball with Adam. But when I broke up with him a few weeks ago, he gave me his ticket back.
But of course, he couldn’t just give it back. He had to throw in something about how he thought the thing was “stupid” and he “didn’t even want to go in the first place.”
Still, Ava happily volunteered to fill his spot as my date, and she’s been talking about it every day for weeks. I’m not taking this night away from her.
“No,” I say. “It’s Valentine’s Day. And I’m not letting you sit at home alone. You need to find a pretty girl to take home.”
She only glares at me for a second before relenting. “Fine.”
My eyes wander back to the three men lounging in leather chairs and sipping their coffees. Rhett’s cool gaze meets mine, and I freeze. He may be across the shop, but it feels like he’s stolen the air straight from my lungs.
A faint smile crosses his lips—so faint I’m sure I’m imagining it—before I turn back to Ava.
I take a deep breath. Maybe Ava is right. If I can’t even handle a man looking at me, I must really need some action in the sex department.
“Just promise me you’ll try to find someone tonight. I don’t want you to go home alone. That would be so sad.” She gives me one of her signature I-know-what’s-best-for-you looks.
Inwardly, I wince. Because that was exactly my plan—have fun tonight, go home alone, and fall into bed. The idea of going home with a stranger isn’t appealing to me, especially since that’s how I ended up with Adam.
And I can’t have a repeat of our relationship. I just can’t.
Ava shoves me. “Promise me, Wren.”
Rolling my eyes, I say, “Fine. I promise I’ll try.”
CHAPTER TWO
WREN
WHEN AVA and I get to the hotel that the ball is taking place at, we’re already a half-hour late. I wanted to leave early, but Ava insisted on coaching me on my flirting skills first.
We didn’t get anywhere, though—whenever I tried to act sexy, we both just started laughing.
“This place is gorgeous,” Ava says, looping her arm through mine as we enter the building.
“It really is,” I murmur, taking in the place. It looks like it belongs in a classy European movie, and I can’t help but feel like I shouldn’t be here.
But Ava adjusts my mask, steps back, and beams. “You look absolutely stunning, girl. You’re gonna kill it tonight.”
I give her an uneasy smile. What I’m wearing is gorgeous, sure—it’s a cream, low-cut dress covered in sparkly beadwork. The skirt isn’t nearly as poufy as Ava’s, and the sleeves hug my hands, leaving my long, thin fingers peaking out.
But as for the girl in the dress? She feels out of her element.
Why does it feel like everyone here knows my boyfriend cheated on me?
“Deep breaths, my friend,” Ava says, running her hands along my arms. Then she’s tugging on my hand, pulling me into the ballroom.
The room is classic—stone archways, a domed ceiling, the works. It truly feels like we’re in a palace.
To top it off, the entire room is cast in blue and purple lighting, with crystal chandeliers catching the light. The whole place looks magical.
“Dance with me,” Ava blurts, and before I can respond, she has me in her arms on the edge of the dance floor.
We spin through the crowd of elegant gowns and snug-fitting suits. As we do, Ava scans the room.
Bringing her gaze back to mine, she smiles shyly. “I may have told someone I was gonna be here tonight. Just seeing if she came.”
I laugh. “Good thing I didn’t let you give up your ticket. Damn, woman. You’re a bad planner.”
She levels me with a stupid grin. “At least I can actually function as a normal human being around my crushes.”
My face turns beet-red instantly. “Yes, I can! And I don’t have crushes on any of them. I’m just awkward.”
She giggles, glancing behind me. “You sure about that? Because I have a feeling you’re about to lose your shit.”
My eyes widen. No. There’s no way.
She spins me around, and I freeze. Three men stand at the edge of the room, chatting and sipping amber-colored liquid from their tumblers. Their simple black masks may cover their faces, but I’ve spent enough time secretly observing them to be able to spot them anywhere.
The way Oliver throws his head back when he laughs. Rhett’s calm facade that never lets up. And the habit Elliot has developed of running his thumb over his bottom lip.
God, it’s so fucking hot.
“That’s them, right?” Ava’s voice is too loud, and I cringe. “It’s gotta be. It’s gotta be!”
“It doesn’t matter.” I steer us toward the opposite side of the room. “I’m just their Friday morning entertainment. No way they’ll recognize me—or care if they do.”
But a small part of my heart begins to hope, even though I wish it wouldn’t. Elliot’s eyes flash through my mind, filled with intention and such clear sincerity.
My stomach jumps as I recall that Oliver said he read A Tale of Two Cities. Elliot asked me last week what one of my favorite books is, and I blurted it out without thinking. I sobbed when I read it in high school.
The song ends, and we head to the makeshift bar set up in the corner. Ava orders something from the bartender, but I just stick with punch. No alcohol for me tonight—I need to stay in control.
Otherwise, I might wake up tomorrow and find myself with my next ex-boyfriend from hell.
We find an empty table and sit down. With a smirk, Ava turns to me.
“They’re looking this way.”
I’m grateful for the semi-darkness of the room. This way, she can’t see me blushing again. “Well, maybe they’re looking at you.”
“Babe. My usual look screams lesbian.”
As if on cue, Ava’s face lights up, and she waves at someone behind me. I turn and see a pretty woman walking toward us, an equally enthusiastic look on her face.
I’m about to straighten out when my gaze snags on Rhett. And, for the second time today, he meets it—and takes my breath away.
“Hey, do you mind if I . . .” Ava gestures to the dance floor. She’s already standing.
I smile up at her. “Go.”
With a grin, Ava rushes into the arms of the woman she waved at. My heart swells. Ava deserves to be happy, and I can’t help but hope she gets that chance.
Sipping my punch, I look anywhere except for the spot where Elliot, Oliver, and Rhett are. I can still feel Rhett’s gaze on me, burning the exposed skin on the back of my neck.
I sigh. With Ava occupied, I’ve lost my dancing partner. And, unfortunately, most of the people here already came with someone to dance with.
The thought makes me think of Adam, which causes a frown to form on my face. To be honest, even if we’d stayed together, he’d probably be sitting at a table sulking on his phone.
Kind of like what you’re doing right now.