“Where are you going?” Orim asked, her brow arched over the rim of her champagne flute.
“I just wanna talk to him,” I said, setting my
glass down.
“Do not.” Orim commanded.
“I deserve a conversation.”
“You don’t.”
“I do! I absolutely do.”
“Rory, babe,” she said, trying to sound serious but failing. “It’s just limerence. You’re obsessed with the idea of that man. You barely know him to be this upset.”
I brushed her off. “I’ll be right back.”
She gave me that girl ‘don’t do it look’, but I was already slipping away through the crowd.
The room pulsed with low music and chatter, and noise that made rich people sound even richer.
My heels clicked against the marble as I headed towards him near the exit. It seemed like he’d try to ghost out early because he had a stride that said ‘Do Not Follow.’
So naturally, I followed.
Even when he wasn’t looking at me, he had my attention. My pulse thudded harder than I cared to admit as I followed him out into the quieter hallway.
“Mr. Sinclair,” I said, straightening my shoulders. “Good evening.”
He turned slightly at the sound of my voice but his expression didn’t change.
“Ms. Rodriguez,” he said evenly. “May I help you with something?”
I stepped closer, resting my hand lightly on his arm. “Yes, actually. You can.”
His gaze dropped to where my fingers touched him, and I instantly remembered he doesn’t like to be touched.
I pulled my hand back like I’d been caught doing something indecent.
He rephrased with a faint attitude in his tone. “What can I help you with, Aurora?”
Hearing my full name roll off his tongue sent a shiver down my spine.
Before I could answer, I heard a dominating voice calling out.
“Marlon! There you are. I’ve been looking every— Oh. Hello, Aurora.”
I narrowed my eyes and was able to make out Marcus Dazai’s face in the low light.
“Markie!” I greeted, expanding my arms for our usual embrace followed by air kisses. “How are you? Ah! It’s been ages.”
I was in full on professional mode.
“You know, can’t complain. What about you? You back from prep school?”
He did this every time.
“Yes, Marcus. I’ve been out of prep school for almost eight years.”
