◆◆◆ Chapter 1 ◆◆◆
I watched Ryan across the club, his arm slung casually around Vanessa’s waist, and felt the familiar ache settle deep in my chest like a stone I’d carried for too long. Three years of being his best friend. Three years of watching him pour everything into someone who didn’t deserve it. Three years of smiling through the pain, pretending my heart didn’t crack a little more every time he called her “babe” in that soft, trusting voice.
“You’re staring again,” a low voice said behind me.
I didn’t need to turn to know it was Dominic. Ryan’s older brother carried a different gravity. It was darker, and sharper, the kind that made the air feel thinner when he stepped into it. Where Ryan was sunlight and easy laughter, Dominic was midnight and velvet threat.
“I’m not staring
