a's

case of the Monleons' mansion,

le-I was either going to glide down like a lady or trip an

my legs, and I clutched the handrai

to this kind

used to b

l, warm hand

a

ed gently, and the simp

almost glowing

did-confident, composed, and radiatin

had alre

tellations, casting a soft golden glow on th

they stepped out of

rinking just by

at probably cost more than my entire w

ing with a smirk, "we're at a b

to smile, but my

breath

d i

slowly," she sai

ve go

ould've been my job to comfort her, but

spent practicing conversat

in with the rich for ye

e

not to spill water

l sat regally beneath a grand arch

then Master Miguel Antonio, the twins' fathe

were forma

lda's messa

ace and poise, a

th

Adonis'

iffe

m I n

his gi

even his

d the mic, tall and self-assu

id h

hed, just slightly ar

with unexpected reverence, his

sar

mugn

t l

l, and it made my chest ach

he hate m

other farmhands' kids-but when it came to me

im of something he

may

st easy

, her eyes already

ugh her speech, and I couldn't

a-pure heart

er even m

eeches

ring their well wishes-some with long-winde

nner was

ly grilled meats filled the air, and

ke I was devouring eve

as d

lly the

t food like

isited Ariana, I barely knew what

water to my lips, I cau

ai

aling glances, and each time, I looked a

picked

w aware I

s pre

that dark suit, like he

how beautiful I fe

a chose hugged

t crown braid, the rest c

like the poor girl fro

elt

st w

ed into a slow,

dance floor, arms intertwining

iful, like a scene

charming someone as usual-and

boys approached me,

them all do

n't r

ld feel it-that tight, unreadable expression

jaw

eyes

s his

it ha

f the second so

ped softly aga

move before

to go to the restroom, desperate

la

losed arou

" he said, voice

fr

ere on

y arm away withou

that he

silent, traitorous-still wan

, ple

but urgent, like it had taken him e

time we're near each other, I say

nt you t

thing I've don

et me, I want u

o be friend

at him,

ted me kindly, was now standing in front of me asking for fri

answer ri

oul

crashed through

to beli

ve waited for a singl

s, the way he made me feel small-it wasn'

ye

d brushed mine, my

hrough me-from my fingers to my

hat it would feel like

ouch

was, I could

a?" he whispered, and my who

ked, blinkin

ce with me?" He

ered it,

I was practi

ne else besi

Maya

stay calm, but I saw it-the flicker of frustration in hi

proud but to keep my heart f

me, A

always

hat perfec

ched slightly, but his vo

want to b

aus

to to

I want to kiss you."

im like he'd

xhaled through his nose, al

ou don't

every rea

orrible thi

ted lik

t playing

this

this

prove a

st

if it's only for a few minutes." He looked down,

nd if you d

were you." He stepped ba

ng you." And just like

oni

after him, barel

I thought he d

en-he

around, ey

d your mind

wouldn

oudly I was afraid it migh

e warmth of his skin against mine

d the dance flo

ar murmurs

nce with Adonis," someone said-James,

boys," heirs to their family's

ored

nothing els

n my waist, and I hesitated befo

e body s

, leaning close

la

y lead." He s

n school." "Who told you that?" I asked,

atr

then added, "And I heard you're abo

s ama

he said it-so sincere, so unex

ot of things, but "I'm proud of

ou," I w

dan

but then I let

cer, confident in

making me feel like I

led me closer,

was aga

ly brushed hi

int of spice-wrapped around me l

ook at him, and his g

cused like I was the

t to stop lo

ant the mu

I wasn't the poor gran

e girl he u

just

y-holding me like he

dn't wan