oi

yes still heavy with sleep. The dim light of the morning filte

ed at the screen. Ava's name flashed on the display, a

ng," I mumbled, pressing the phone t

ess, unfazed by the early hour. "I know you're probably still in bed, but ge

my head to block out the light. I could

a little more sleep. The whole t

d on the o

d more than a little beauty sleep to deal with it. Plus, I know you're secretl

nce I saw him and I wasn't sure I was ready for it- the rumours that would

bed and running a hand through my messy hair. "But just the th

oice so

ing from him. This is your chance to show that you're mo

ucian for weeks, but now, it was time to face the ine

But I swear, if I see Jenn

chuc

you won't let her get to you. You're goi

uldn't be worried abo

. What time sho

we don't miss the main event this time. We

through the phone. "Fine. You're t

ght. "Now get up, Eloise. You'

up. I'll see you at 6

" Ava said,

e moments, staring at my p

eel the old emotions rising-anger, b

¤

d out of the car, the lights of the

was every bit as glamorous as I had expected-shimmering g

perfection in a sleek black gown, her arm

ning the room. "Lucian's already here, of cou

of seeing Lucian after everything that had happened

ing my gaze. "You look amazing. They'll be th

ke the feeling of Lucian's presence

canned the room as elegant as ever, when I su

mmanding, I felt my

walking toward me, hi

was deep, smooth, and slightly amus

m. I'm divorced now. I do not ha

o be flattered or alarmed.

ir of confidence that was impossible to i

trigue I felt. He looked familiar but I ca

d to remind me?" I

me leaned in, his eyes catching

huckling. My lips parted, surprised at the directness o

e, Mike," he said, his voice smooth and flatteri

ed, mortified.

gaze, and I struggled to remember him. I

se, I re

ered, piercing th

rk gleam in his eyes tha

bout him that I couldn't place,

, a familiar voice c

the tension. She held up her phone. "Could you take

d, relieved for

But Ava's gaze drifted past me, her eyes n

ub with Eloise two days ago?" Ava asked

f scattered memories, fragments of that night flashing

e was th

ned as the piec

ng his face as he watched the realization