Avoiding me.
I head back to my table and sit down. It feels like the penalty box.
Conrad looks at me. Then at Chloe across the room. Then back at me.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
“Great,” I lie.
The DJ’s voice cuts through the noise. “Ladies and gentlemen, the dance floor is now open! Let’s celebrate Derek and Maya!”
The music starts, kicking off the dance floor with a classic.“Celebration” by Kool & the Gang.
And I wait. Chloe keeps herself busy, focuses on coordination tasks, grabbing Derek and Maya more drinks, keeping tabs on the dessert station. She even stops at a random table to grab empty plates before handing them off to one of the catering staff. Anything to avoid the inevitable.
Because that’s what this is. Inevitable.
I won’t let her lose everything.
A handful of songs play out while I’m stuck on the sideline. But then the lights change. The strobing flashes of green and pink and yellow fade out, washing over the dance floor with blue.
“It’s time to slow things down a little,” the DJ says. “Let’s get all our sweethearts out there for this one.”
The music starts up again, the unmistakable voice of Elvis crooning through the hall.
“Wise men say, only fools rush in…”
My eyes catch Chloe’s across the room. This is it. I step out of the box and make my way over to her.
“Chloe.”
She doesn’t look at me. “I’m busy.”
I lean in close enough that only she can hear. “Dance with me.”
“No.”
I reach for her, my fingers brushing her waist, begging her to look at me. To understand. “Please.”
She finally looks at me. Her eyes are red-rimmed, mascara smudged. Beautiful and breaking.
“Come dance.” It’s practically a whisper.
“Brody—”
But I’m already pulling her toward the dance floor. I feel her pulse jumping under my thumb. She could resist. Could pull away. Could make a scene right here.
But she doesn’t.
She follows me to the dance floor.
We reach the center, and I pull her into my arms. Chloe melts into me, hiding her head in my chest.
“You need to do this,” I say quietly, my mouth near her ear.
“Stop.” Her voice is tight. “Just stop.”
“Chloe—”
