The terrace was positioned in full view of the ballroom—anyone who glanced over would see every single moment laid bare, no secrets left to hide.
A tight, heavy knot formed in my chest all at once, guilt and unease warring inside me.
'Am I really kissing Finn out here just to rile Julian up, to make him jealous? That's not who I am. Finn and I are nothing more than strategic partners. Love isn't a competition to me, and I want no part of this ugly, dramatic standoff between them.'
Summoning every ounce of resolve I had, I pushed him away, putting space between our bodies. "Finn, let go of me. Julian is right over there, watching. I can't let him see this," I whispered, my eyes fixed on the window where Julian's silhouette still lingered.
But Finn twisted my words completely, misreading
