tment. Envy. Sonia always had a way of asserting herself, commanding attention without e

ess that dared anyone to challenge her, Sonia was the kind of person Katy had always wished she could be. Despite b

arp tone jolted he

her, her expression equal parts amused and annoyed. She ope

me out of your life when you kn

espond, but Sonia

sly smile. "Nice club, by the way. Is it new

Tom's voice came from behin

Don't forget, you invited me." Her gaze shifted to Katy, her smirk

es. "Spare us the

ou're welcome to stay and have a good time, but if y

ould respond. But as they walked off, Katy glanced b

raising her glass in m

~

aking kisses, and laughing as their friends joined in. Shots were poured, games were played, and the club became

rner table. Julia's eyes darted to the bar, where

ot an admirer," Juli

smiling at her. He raised his glass in

roached their table, his

with some friends"-he gestured to a group at the bar-"and I couldn't help noticing

her eyes dartin

" Julia sai

Kelvin's hand. As he led her to the dance floor, s

d herself a date for the we

~

ooking unusually quiet. She snapped her fingers

Katy teased. "

ugged. "Nothing. Just

ed mischievously. "Remember how I promised to

ed crimson. "Ka

nd and led her toward where Tom a

oo close. Her hand rested casually on his shoulder, and she leaned in,

ea," Sam muttered, turni

called after her,

yes falling on Katy as she called out ag

ed, his tone cautious.

n you, and I promised her I'd help her talk to you. But clearly..." She glan

mixture of surprise and guilt

ted to talk to you, but she le

away from Sonia, his focus now on

but Dave didn't wait for her to finish. He strode

but as she turned to lea

p. "Your friend has terrible timing, Katy. Dave

ybe next time, pick someone w

n Dave too, and I think you should tell your little friend to b

neath the surface. "This isn't a competition

ade. "You don't get it, do you? In life, it

clicking against the floor like a countdown to chao

t day of her life. But with Sonia aroun