I hated the way my chest tightened at the sight. Hated how my fingers clenched around the stem of my own glass.
I forced a laugh at something Georgia said, my smile stretched thin. Georgia’s eyes flicked to me knowingly, and before I could school my face, she gave my arm a quick squeeze.
“I’ll be right back,” she murmured, her voice gentle but firm. “Better check on those two before they charm the whole bar staff and get drunk.”
I nodded, pretending to sip my drink, though all I could taste was jealousy burning bitter on my tongue. And as Georgia disappeared into the crowd toward them, I couldn’t help but feel that every giggle, every clink of their champagne glasses, was meant to test me.
“Stop staring, Liv. People will notice.”
I jumped, almost spilling my drink. Bianca had appeared at my side. She followed my gaze for half a second, then sighed, lips quirking in something halfway between sympathy and amusement.
“So that’s the person, huh?” Bianca said softly. Not unkind. Just a fact.
Heat rushed to my face. “Bee..”
She held up her hands. “I’m not judging. I’m just saying what’s obvious. You’ve got two choices: you can stand here, sipping champagne and torturing yourself all night, or…” Her eyes flicked meaningfully toward Alex. “You can talk to her.”
Before I can even form a protest, Bianca is already stepping back. “And on that note,” she says, smirking, “I’m leaving you to it. Don’t waste this, Liv.”
I pressed my lips together, staring into the rim of my glass like it might swallow me whole. Anything to keep from watching Alex lean closer to Cassandra again, that smile breaking me open in places I swore I’d already sealed shut.
And somewhere in that slow, aching collapse, the decision began to form, fragile and reckless: I’d have to face her tonight. One way or another.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I set the glass down, smoothed the fabric of my dress, and stood. My legs felt unsteady, like walking out to serve at match point in a final, except this wasn’t tennis. This was worse.
The bonfire crackled louder as I crossed the sand, the heat meeting the fire already running in my veins. Cassandra spotted me first, but it was Alex who froze, her laughter cutting off mid-breath. Our eyes locked, and for a split second, it was just us, no party, no people, no months of silence.
“Olivia,” she said, my name clipped but laced with something I couldn’t name.
I lifted my chin, forcing steadiness I didn’t feel. “Alexandra.”
Cassandra glanced between us, all too knowing, while Georgia took the cue and slipped away, dragging Cass with her under the excuse of “checking the drinks.” Subtle as a sledgehammer.
I folded my arms, mostly to steady myself because my pulse had gone completely rogue. “So… you’re here.”
She shifted, scratching the back of her neck the way she always did when she felt caught out. “Georgia invited me,” she said quietly. “She didn’t want to come alone, so I tagged along.” she exhaled, almost awkward.
Her eyes flicked to mine, soft, careful. “I swear, I had no idea this was your sister’s engagement party. If I’d known…” She trailed off, shaking her head faintly. “I never would’ve walked in like that.”
My pulse roared in my ears. I wanted totouchher. Instead, I breathed out slowly, daring myself to stand there, daring myself not to run.
“I just… didn’t expect you.” I managed, my voice barely steady.
Alex’s expression tightened, guilt flickering across her face. “I should probably go. I didn’t mean to…” She exhaled, struggling. “Liv, I’m sorry. For being here. For making this awkward.”
She took half a step back, already bracing to leave. And something in me panicked.
“Wait.” My hand lifted before I could stop it. “Alex… wait.”
She froze. I swallowed, finding the courage somewhere under all the noise in my chest. “Can we talk?” I asked, the words trembling out. “Please?”
She blew out a breath, glancing toward the crowd. “This isn’t the place.”
And she was right. Too many eyes, too much noise. She jerked her chin toward the far end of the beach, past the glow of lanterns, where the sand turned quiet and the only light came from the stars. “Come with me.”
I didn’t hesitate. The moment Alex turned, my feet moved after her. No second-guessing, no waiting for courage to catch up. I just followed, letting her lead us away from the music and into the quieter edges of the beach.
When we stopped, it was just the two of us, the sea stretching endlessly and black.
