"What exactly were you expecting?"
I shrug, shaking my head.
"From all the stories I'd heard about how things have gone down in London in the past, I guess I just expected everyone here to be as cruel as they are back in New York. But you're different," I state.
A flash of emotion passes through his bright eyes, but then a smile splits across his face, masking whatever emotion he suddenly felt from my comment.
"Yeah, I'm the sensitive one, as they say… I'm not mad about it, though. It's how I ended up getting the woman I wanted."
A genuine grin now takes over his face, and I can't help but feel the ache in my chest grow bigger as I recognise the look on his face.
It's the same look my father gets when he talks about my mother.
The look my sister has when she's with Miguel.
Love.
Something I doubt I'll have in my life.
My dress suddenly feels too tight. The boning in the corset digs into my ribs, the waistband squeezing me in, making it hard to breath, and the slit up my leg reminds me that too much of my thigh is exposed for everyone to see.
I clear my throat, stepping back, and Jaylen glances down at me with concern marring his features.
"Are you okay?"
I nod, gulping as I release my hold on his hand, glancing around the room for my father in the hopes of having an excuse to leave.
When I don't see him, I take a deep breath and place my hands against my waist, wanting to tear the dress from my body as an itching sensation crawls across my skin.
"I think I just need some air," I mutter. "Thank you for the dance, and for being so kind."
Before I can turn away from him, he gently grips my wrist, waiting until my eyes meet his.
"I know Dominic can come across as a cold motherfucker sometimes, but I promise he's not all bad. If you're ever fed up with him, or if you ever need anything, the girls and I are happy to help, okay?"
"Yeah, okay. Thanks."
I shake his hand from my skin and then walk over to the table I was previously sitting at, grabbing my bag from the table and taking my phone out as I exit the room.
Walking into the corridor, I lean against the wall and bring up mine and my sister's text thread.
Alicia:
Please tell me you haven't left yet?
Eliana:
Nope. Why? What's wrong? Everything okay?
I breathe a sigh of relief when she messages me back almost instantly.
Alicia:
Want to come see me before your flight? Maybe bring me something to change into as well? This dress is restricting as hell and I need to get out of it ASAP.
Eliana:
Come outside :)
