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Home.
I need to go home.
I need to put some distance between Penelope and me before I do something stupid.
But even so, I can’t stop my eyes from scanning the space one last time, looking for the flash of light in the darkness, but I can’t find her.
My stomach tightens as unease creeps up my spine.
She wouldn’t have left with that guy, would she? She didn’t seem like the type to jump at the first guy that showed interest in her.
But he isn’t the first guy. He’s her friend who’s had a crush on her for God only knows how long.
That hurt look in her eyes is back, front and center, making the anxiety inside me grow.
“Where the hell is s—” I turn around until I spot her on the other side of the room. And just like I predicted, the dude has made a move. Probably the moment I walked away. Now his hands are on her waist as they dance to some pop song blasting through the speakers.
I grit my teeth as a wave of anger slams into me, but no matter how many times I tell myself I should look away, I can’t move my eyes from her.
She smiles at whatever the guy says, and I want to punch him for getting that smile from her.
Those are my smiles.
My laughter.
My—
“Sebastian!”
I cringe at the sound of my name, my shoulders tightening. A hand touches my arm, and a familiar face appears in my line of vision.
“I thought it was you!” Lilian smiles brightly at me—too brightly—making me realize she’s probably had one too many.“I didn’t realize you were going to these parties.”
That’s because I don’t.
These days, I’m doing my best to stay as far away from parties as possible. Fewer chances that I’ll reach for one of the many temptations.
“I don’t really.”
She nods. “I guess they’re nothing like what you’re used to, right?”
I look over her shoulder, taking in the crowd. The laughter, the drunken dancing, they were pretty much the same. What was different was me. For the first time, I realized I’d been at a party where I wasn’t one of the intoxicated people. The temptation was there, simmering under the surface and calling to me, but it wasn’t overbearing like it could be, and I knew exactly the reason why.
Her.
“Something like that,” I mutter, my gaze finding its way back to Birdy. “I’m here with a friend.”
Just then, I notice the guy pull Penelope closer to him. So close their bodies are rubbing against one another, his hands sliding down her back.
Son of a bi—
“Which friend?” Lilian asks, her voice sounding sharper than it did only moments ago.
“Huh?” Reluctantly, I return my gaze to her to find her watching me through narrowed eyes.
“You said you’re here with a friend. Which one?”
My attention goes instinctively toward Penelope, and this time, she doesn’t miss it.
