shimmering like a sky full of stars. She walked slowly, absorbing the lavish space that surrounded her, overwhelmed by its opulence.

y on the banister, his sharp gaze locked on her. Elena froze, br

e were enough to make her feel as if she'd been swept into an unescapable storm. His lip

most unreachable presence that was somehow impossibly captivating, making her feel like a mere spark under

ws inside, leaving Elena with a strange sense of loss she couldn't quite place. The moment

ng beside her, pulling her

er expression playful. Lily handed her a soft pink cocktai

u staring at

e took the cocktail from Lily's hand. She forced a smile, but she c

ow sip from her own drink, her eyes twinkling as if she

sure abou

head, pretending to focus on her drink, taking a small sip. The sweet, cool tas

Lily laughed, s

ooked like you'd just see

head, determined to steer t

t. Look around; how could I

gathering on the dance floor. The air shimmered with excitement, and when the orchestra struck the first note of the evening's dance, Elena felt h

ole had

ide in with that calm, self-assured grace. He carried himself as though he were royalty, a princ

t she could hardly ignore. She watched him as he moved through

Elena, nudged her lightly,

murmured, her tone tinged with a mi

a prince in reality. He's as blunt as they come,

e wanted to look away, to follow Lily's warning, but her heart seemed to have

r to where she stood. His eyes lit with mild curiosity, and he approached them

is eyes shifted to Elena, his gaze sharpening wi

eyes but couldn'

ewest friend." She gave hi

r palms damp with nerves as Etha

n," she said, forcing h

ightly, his expression unr

ame rolled off his tongue sending a

tended a hand towards her, his voice smo

vious glances from women nearby who looked on, some whispering behind

repidation, Elena looked to Lily,

Ethan's hand was warm, steady as he placed it on the small of her back, his touch both electrifying and reassuring. As they moved in sy

mmered, flustered and feeli

u're doing just fine," he assured her, guiding her

apologizing each time, her cheeks growing warmer with embarrassment.

nds with Lily?" he asked sudden

o a small smile, the te

she replied, m

Always knows how to make me laug

w, a slight smile t

on her, and Elena felt as if he were trying to see beneath the surface, to cat

n their own quiet rhythm. She felt herself drawn into his presence, as though he wer

ourage and spoke up,

intly, encompassing the grandness of the room, the wealth tha

n, thi

y, as if he saw right t

ng, yes,"

ore to it than

f resignation, perhaps even disdain for the very world in which he moved with

dance floor. Ethan didn't let go of her hand immediately, his gaze holding hers

nd with a polite nod, yet his eyes lingered, as thou

ed and left, leaving her alone on the dance floor, the lingering heat of his touch still vivid aga

udging her teasing

er cheeks still fl

ot exactly the smoothest talker. I