“You look dashing tonight.” The words left my mouth, but they felt inadequate, like pale imitations of what I wanted to convey to the breathtaking woman in front of me. My admiration couldn't quite fit into those simple words. Lydia turned slightly towards me, her upper body moving in a way that made the fabric of her dress stretch and shimmer. It was a warm, vibrant orange, shining as though Lydia had caught sunlight itself and spun it into her gown. Every contour of her form was framed so perfectly that I had to swallow hard, my mouth watering at the sight. She was magnetic, and every part of me ached to be near her, to feel the warmth she radiated. How much longer could she freeze me out like this?
“Thank you,” she murmured, her tone soft and genuine, before she turned back to the full
