"I don't think that's a good idea?—"
"One dance. That's all I'm asking."
Dr. Kouris has already moved away, leaving us alone in the crowd. I glance over at Thad, but he's still engrossed in his conversation, not even looking in my direction.
"Okay," I hear myself say. "One dance."
Romeo takes my hand, and the touch sends electricity through me. He leads me to the dance floor, where a few other couples are already swaying to the music. It’s a slow dance, and my heart hammers in my chest. This feels as illicit as what wewere doing in the library, more so, because we’re in public. Thad could look over and see us at any moment. And I know he’ll say I’m embarrassing him.
But I can’t make myself step away.
Romeo’s hand settles on my waist, and I place mine on his shoulder. We start to move, and it's like we've done this a thousand times before. Like our bodies know exactly how to fit together.
"I've missed you," he says quietly.
"Romeo—"
"I know. I know you need space. I'm trying to give it to you. I swear, even though I’ve been texting you. But seeing you here, seeing you with him—" His jaw tightens. "It's killing me, Savannah."
I swallow hard, feeling my eyes burn again. "This isn't fair. You can't say things like that."
"Why not? Because it makes you feel something? Because it reminds you that there's another option?"
"There is no other option. I'm engaged. I'm committed?—"
"To what? To a man who treats you like an accessory?" His hand tightens on my waist, pulling me closer. "I see you, Savannah. I see exactly who you are and what you're capable of. And I'm telling you—you deserve better than him."
"You don't know what I deserve."
"Don't I?" His eyes are intense, searching mine. "I know you deserve someone who values your mind as much as your beauty. Someone who supports your ambitions instead of dismissing them. Someone who makes you feel alive instead of suffocated."
"Stop." I fight to keep myself from pressing my hand against his chest, keeping it on his arm where it’s appropriate instead… or at least as appropriate as this could ever be.
His expression is pained, as if he knows he should stop talking, but can’t. "Why? Because I'm right?"
"Because you're making this harder than it already is."
We're barely moving now, just swaying in place. His thumb traces small circles on my waist, and I can feel the heat of his body through the thin fabric of my dress, even with the few inches of space between us. "It doesn't have to be hard," he says. "It could be simple. You could choose what you want instead of what you're supposed to want."
"And what if what I want is impossible?" I shake my head. “Nothing about this is simple, Romeo.”
"Nothing is impossible. Not if you're brave enough to take a risk."
I'm about to respond when I see movement in my peripheral vision. Thad, finally noticing me, finally looking in my direction… at the worst possible moment.
His face when he sees me in Romeo's arms is like watching a storm cloud form.
"He sees us," I whisper, panic rising in my throat.
"Good. Let him see."
"Romeo, you don't understand?—"
But it's too late. Thad is already crossing the dance floor, his expression dark with anger.
"Savannah." His voice is tight, controlled. "I'd like to speak with you. Now."
"Thad, this is just?—"
