It hits me hard. Unspoken. Instant. Dangerous. That’s not where my head should be, but she’s too close, and my restraint’s worn thin. I swallow hard.
“Someone who doesn’t have to pretend.”
Her mouth parts, whatever smartass remark she had lined up slipping through the cracks. The air thickens. My hand stays where it is. Her chest brushes mine, and my thumb traces slow circles against her wrist. She’s trembling slightly. So am I.
The music fades, but we don’t move. Not yet.
25
Olivia
For Tonight - Giveon
Between Sebastian’s flirty one-liners, the warmth of his hand at my back, and the last round of shots, I’m floating. Or maybe spinning. Definitely spinning. The fairy lights blur into soft halos, and the floor tilts slightly under my heels.
I find Amelia near the bar and throw my arms around her, planting a kiss on her cheek. “I can’t believe you’re aMitchellnow. We’re officially sisters.”
She laughs, cheeks pink. “Well, sister-in-law. Otherwise, that’d be kind of weird.”
“Shh,” I hiss, pressing a finger to her lips. “Don’t ruin the moment.”
We dissolve into giggles, and she hugs me back, tighter this time. My heart swells. The music’s loud, almost deafening—bass thudding through the floor, people shouting over choruses of ‘Mr. Brightside’. It’s chaos in the best way. Mum appears outof nowhere, pearls gleaming, eyes narrowing in that amused, motherly way.
“Oh, darlin’, maybe slow the drinks down, hm?”
“Love you too, Mum.” I grin, holding up my half-empty glass. She rolls her eyes but smiles anyway. The MC’s voice cuts through the noise, booming over the microphone.
“Alright, folks! Time for the guard of honour. Let’s send our newlyweds off right!”
Cheers erupt as guests rush to the doors. Amelia and Bradley run through the tunnel of raised sparklers, laughter echoing into the night, disappearing into the car waiting beyond the lights. Just like that, they’re gone, off to start their forever. Mum turns back to me, smoothing a stray curl off my shoulder.
“We’ve been roped into taking your cousins home.” She sighs. “Your father can’t say no to anyone. I’ll ask your brother to drive you back, alright?”
Before I can answer, a familiar voice cuts in behind me. “No need. I can take her home.”
Mum’s eyes bounce between us, the corners of her mouth curving in a way that makes my stomach flip. “Oh, Sebastian,” she says lightly. “Well, that’s very kind of you.”
“Not a problem,” he replies, tone calm, but his gaze is steady on me when I turn to face him.
“I’ll leave her in your capable hands, then.” Mum pats his arm, gives me one last amused look, and disappears into the crowd. The room might be spinning, my head light from champagne and shots, but I know exactly what’s happening. Or maybe it’s more accurate to sayhedoes. Because when Sebastian Daniels offers to take you home, it doesn’t feel like a favour. It feels like a choice.
The air outside is cool, heavy with the scent of rain that never quite came. The world tilts a little as I walk, champagne fizzing through my veins, laughter still clinging to the edges ofmy mouth. Somewhere behind me, Amelia’s bouquet has been tossed, caught, and celebrated, and I’m still floating from it all. From her joy, from the music, from the way Sebastian’s voice keeps echoing in my head. He props one hand against the roof of the car, looking far too composed for someone who’s spent the night surrounded by chaos in the form of my family.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asks softly, his eyes tracking the way I wobble slightly on my heels.
“Perfectly fine,” I lie, clutching my tiny clutch like it might anchor me to the earth.
“You’ve had a few.”
“Define a few.” I hold up three fingers, then squint, realising that might not be accurate. “Maybe four. And a half.”
His mouth twitches. “That’s enough. I’ll get you home.”
I narrow my eyes. “Haveyouhad enough to drink?”
He shakes his head, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’ve sobered up and followed the rules. Don’t worry.”
“Not very professional of you, Officer,” I tease. “Drinking on duty?”
