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When a flash of red finally catches my attention, my heart rate spikes, and my temperature climbs once again.
She’s not the only woman wearing red tonight; I counted at least four others. But in my gut, I know it’s her. With a deep breath, I roll my shoulders back and make my way to the wall on my right.
The closer I get, the harder my heart thunders in my chest. A couple chatting ahead of me moves away, and I finally get a clear view of the person ahead of me.
My breath hitches.
I was right. It’s her.
My Isla.
My legs move quickly, desperate, eager. She doesn’t see me. She’s too busy looking at her phone, her bottom lip trapped between her teeth.
“There you are,” I say, my voice hoarse, as I stop in front of her. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you, Ice Queen. Even started thinking you’re a figment of my imagination.”
Her gaze snaps to me, her lips parting and a soft sound escaping her. Her makeup is impeccable, highlighting her high cheekbones and dark blue eyes. Her plump lips are painted red, and her hair is covering her shoulders in soft waves. There hasn’t been a day I haven’t checked her profile. She hasn’t performed at a single event I haven’t watched, either live or later, searching the internet for clips. And yet, she’s so much more stunning in person.
“Hi.” She locks her phone and slips it into a small purse.
“Didn’t expect to see you here.”
A ghost of a smile touches her lips. “I didn’t expect to see you here either.” She glances around. “You usually don’t come to these things.”
“Neither do you.”
She chuckles. “I only show up when I’m required to.”
“And you were required to be here tonight?” I arch a brow. This is not what I should be talking to her about. I shouldn’t be talking to her at all. I should be hauling her to my chest and kissing her until she’s out of breath. But we’re in public.
And because two years is a long time; anything could’ve happened.
“Yeah, Blake is nominated for an award tonight, and I’m sure she’ll get it, so I wanted to support her.”
“You’re sure she’ll get it?”
“I don’t doubt it one bit.” She tilts her head to the side, her hair veiling her shoulder. “What about you? Why are you here?”
“The Vipers won the Cup, so Ash is here, and I wouldn’t miss a chance to support my friend.”
Head thrown back, she laughs. “Look at us. So supportive of our friends.”
“Yeah, we are.” An open smile breaks over my lips, the first honest one tonight.
We’re both silent, surveying one another. Despite the people surrounding us, despite the music and the sounds of the party, it feels like we’re alone in a quiet room.
I clear my throat. “So…New York, huh?”
“Yeah, I’m here.”
“For how long?”
She just shrugs. The little gesture punches a hole in my chest.
I clench my jaw, stepping a bit closer to her. “Why didn’t you tell me you were in town?”
“I just got in, and I wanted to make tonight about Blake.” She licks her bottom lip, her eyes downcast. “I was going to call you tomorrow. Invite you to have coffee with me, or lunch, or—” She snaps her mouth shut and shakes her head. “But life clearly had other plans.”
I take another step forward, looming over her. With my thumb and index finger, I trap her chin and lift her face. When our eyes hook on each other, a zing of excitement rushes through me. The longing in her expression matches mine, and it makes my fucking heart sing.
