The Lucky One

er's

angled in front of me like a mirage, only to vanish the moment I reached for it. That

easily, oblivious to how quickly joy could be ripped away. I stood in the corner, nursing a glass of

Whi

scaded down her back in soft waves, her emerald-green dress hugging her frame in a way that made it imposs

. It wasn't fake or laced with ulterior motives. It was pure, unguarded,

t some guy's arm-some asshole who didn't deserve her attention. My fingers curled around my

prepared to fight against. Every damn time she tried to get close, I had t

the glass down with more force than nec

a's

my attention flickered toward the man standing in the corner. Brooding, distant,

e me. Instead, I kept my focus on the conversation in front of me, forcing a smi

n us was one-sided. But I wasn't stupid. I saw the way his eyes darkened whenever another man got too close. I

. He just refused

e pulled me back to t

polite nod.

hrough the crowd with that predatory grace he carried so effortlessly. My pulse stu

tepped beside me, his presence overwhelming. Without waiting for pe

at Nathan, who looked more confuse

g me down a quieter hallway, aw

alcony doors. Releasing my wrist, he turned to face me, his

ou're doing?" I demanded, ref

nto a thin line. "

y chest. "Enjoying myself at an e

ctically spat the name. "

hot up. "E

into fists at his s

y close to hope. "You don't get to dictate who I talk to, Xavier

hat's not-" He exhaled sharply, shaking his head as

ked at the end, and it was

ing closer. "You don't get to push me away and then

g like he wanted to reach for me. For

that, the shutte

e said, voice tight. "S

way, leaving me standing there

er's

y, regret sliced throug

ull her into my arms and erase the hurt

me. She deserved light, laughter-

lf it was f

ust lost the only thing that ever