“Yeah, a younger sister whom I love dearly.” I lift my drink to my lips and take a small sip without taking my eyes off her, waiting for her to look back at me.

“Do you ever get in spats with her?”

I narrow my brows at her question. Just yesterday, when she told me she had a boyfriend. I shrug. “Sure…but who says spat anymore?”

“Who says ‘schmooze’ or ‘bequeath’?” Jade argues. She’s got me there.

Setting my glass down, I extend my hand. “Hudson Drago.”

“Jade Vance.” I feel the zing when her hand touches mine. Her skin is soft as silk. Like her voice, and there’s a change in the air. Our eyes lock on each other, something passing between us. Everything around us disappears. The music, the people… There’s only Jade and me creating our own light, our own music. My heart beats loud and fast as if I just tasted the kind of fireworks we’ll create. This should be a fun night.

“Any chance there’s a magic word to get you away from this party and go have some real fun?” I proposition casually. Claire screwed me by picking a married maid of honor, and of course, bridesmaids with significant others. But I just found someone better to spend my night—or the weekend—with.

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Someday, Somehow

Auggie

The entire trip from the airport to my father’s house I’ve been trying to keep my frustration and disappointment hidden from her. This isn’t what I expected to find when I picked her up at the airport.

Thank fuck, I left the ring at home. The flowers felt inadequate the moment she said, “Auggie, meet Mario.”

What if I had bend on one knee and said, “I’ve come to realize that I’ve been in love with you since the moment we met. Perhaps not that moment, but when we crossed paths, I knew there was something between us. My soul recognized yours as an old lover.”

Totally practiced it for the past week. I had everything down to the way I’d kiss her after she said, “Auggie, what took you so long?”

Also, I had the entire speech in case she slapped me and said, “You fucking asshole, after all this time.”

See, I was prepared for everything but…

If I could, I’d text my siblings or someone at home to tell them about…fuck what a mess.

My father’s house is packed—everyone who knows George is there. From her father, to her aunts, cousins, and my own family wait for her.

I grip the wheel tight as I drive toward my father’s house. I glance up toward the rearview mirror and feel sick to my stomach as I watch them close—too close.

You fucked up, Beltran.