Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
This is a disaster. Ugh. I hate it when Tiffy’s right. I need to find him before security does.
Tom cuts through the crowd with no clear direction. The rage rolling off him leaves a trail. I can feel it even from here. I follow the pull, trying not to lose him as he vanishes and reappears.
“Tom, wait! Please, just…slow down!”
Useless in this noise, so I move faster in this maze of strangers. People slam into me, smearing paint all over my shirt.
I break into an open space near the dance floor. I brace my forearm against a palm tree and try to process what just happened. The images are spinning like a carousel in my head.
Tom had brought that glass to his mouth, let the burn touch his tongue, and all I could think was that he’d give in, just to make Calvin shut up.
But he hadn’t.
Tom had known exactly what he was doing. He’d made a statement. He’s able to taste whiskey and still choose no. Something Calvin knows he isn’t capable of.
Fuck. That rage had turned me on. It shouldn’t have. But it did. He’d stood up for himself. And for me. He’d made me feel worth fighting for.
Then it hits me, clearer than ever.
He’s the one. And it scares me, but fuck, this thing blooming beneath my ribs is undeniable.
I swallow hard, my pulse roaring in my ears.
I know what it means to let someone matter like this. What it means to hand someone all of me, hoping life won’t rip it away. I also know I’m exhausted from living as if love isn’t for me anymore.
Yes, I knew Tom meant more to me than a casual Friday night fuck. But I never imagined allowing myself to want him at my side.
The fear of losing him doesn’t win. It exists beside everything I’m willing to give. It feels manageable. I want him to be mine. And I want him to stay. God, I need to find him and make sure he’s okay.
Suddenly, a hand lands on my shoulder, dragging me out of my thoughts.
“Trouble in paradise?”
I turn, and Terrence’s smug face is right there.
As if this couldn’t get any worse. But of course, watching me fail is by far his favourite sight in the world.
There’s a young brunette on his arm, both of their eyes glassy, pupils blown. High as a kite. Why am I not surprised?
“Lost your tongue along with your resort guest?”
Amazing. He must’ve seen Tom storm by before he saw me.
“Terrence, not now.”
He jerks his chin at the restaurant where they’ve taped off the dining area.
“He went that way.”
I follow his line of sight, catching the shortest glimpse of Tom disappearing around the corner. I part my lips but Terrence lifts his hand to stop me.
“Don’t thank me yet, dear colleague. You can thank me when Arcadia throws you out and I’m the one who saves you.”
I turn back. “Excuse me?”
“Come on. We both know you’re not just tucking him in at night. Let’s be honest, you’re not exactly discreet. The board will figure it out soon enough. And when they do, you really believe they’ll let you stay?”
