e house. The one thing my brother and I had left of our parents. It wasn't much-just a small, old house

e light with every step. I'd always been the kind of girl who didn't need to be flashy, but tonight? Tonight, I was feeling darin

ll absorbed in his laptop. When he looked up, his eyes wid

is eyebrows raisin

f the dress. "I'm not going to prom, you

seriously, you look great," he said, his voice

glancing at my brother one more time. "I'm just

ent. "Don't drink too much, okay? And s

tiveness. "I am your big sister, Deli. I'm

ver his chest. "Stay safe, okay? I can't trust you wi

I reached for the door handle. "I'll be

careful. You know I worry about you." He gave me

or a quick hug. "I'll be back

show a lot of emotion, but when he did, it meant everything. I could tell he c

up outside. Tonight was going to be fun.

he excitement buzzing in the air. I stepped out, locking the door behind

in years. "Girl, I swear, I've been DYING without you. Like, lite

e passenger seat. "Girl, we saw each other y

t the steering wheel. "We haven't gone out in forever.

over at her. "Well, we're doin

ve some fun. I mean, girl, it's been months since you broke up with Blake. You've got t

tle. "Stacy, I'm not looking for anyone right now.

e's history, and you're way too good for him anyway. Tonight's about you. You need

ught of letting go for the night. "Alright, alright. I'll try to h

hat now,"

ur parents', but Stacy had been there for me in so many other ways. She'd helped me with little things-like groceries, or when I was too tired to cook, she'd bring

me help. You've been doing everything on your own fo

so well off. But somehow, she made it feel like I wasn't a

rimson Eclipse," Stacy flashed a grin. The bouncer barely glanced at us before opening the ropes, letting us throug

ctions," I teased,

without a fuss," she winked. "Tonight's ab

place was buzzing with people, and the atmosphere was intense, but in a good way. The bar was lined with peo

"That's Jake. He's new here, but I'm pretty su

ing him up. "You flirt with every guy in here

rated wink, "Relax, I

g to the beat. I let myself relax, laughing with Stacy and just enjoying the moment. It felt good to be out, to be alive. For a little while, I wasn't

seemed to become more and more evident. It wasn't long before she

sic, her arms thrown around a guy she had

I had been in months. "Yeah, I t

the feeling that something was about to change. The nig

twisted at the sight. There he was, acting carefree and happy, like he hadn't destroyed everything we had. He was the last person I wanted to see to

total dirtbag, Lia," she said, her voice low but full of disdain as she stared at Blake. "I can't believe you ever wasted your tim

, but it lingered. "It just pisses me o

till on top of the world. But what did he really lose? Nothing. What did you lose? All that love, all that time. It's his loss, and we both know it. N

l a little lighter. She was right, as always. Blake didn't deserve

t you meet someone tonight? A new guy. Have some fun. You're

glass to my lips and downed the rest of my d

, the boldness surged. I was laughing, carefree in a way I hadn't felt in a long time, no longer w

aight through me. His chiseled jawline could have been carved by gods, and his body... Greek god material, like he'd stepped right out of

ever seen. And I couldn't

more confident than they'd ever been. "I don't bel

are. The hint of a smirk tugged at his lips as he spoke, the Italian accent thick and int

aver than usual. "The pleasure is mine, I'm sure," I

ng over me in a way that made my pulse spike. "

't thinking straight, a small grin

a mischievous look in her eyes as she caught my gaze. She knew

I followed him

. His presence was magnetic, and his Italian accent had sent shivers down her spine ealier. He led her to a sleek black car, op

ment he leaned in to kiss her, his lips were warm and urgent, deepening the kiss in a way that left her breathle

e murmured against her lips

now, at this moment, it felt like the world was finally giving her something she craved. She kiss

flowed through her. As the elevator doors closed behind them, the atmosphere changed almost electric. He pressed he

her independence, she wanted this, wanted him. His hands were were gentle but commanding as he undid

wall. They barely made it to the bed before the intensity between them reached its peak. Clothes were

feel more than she had ever allowed herself to feel before. He guided her, pleasure building with each touch. And in that moment, all her wor