6.
963 Words
Chapter 6: The Unexpected Spark
The warmth of the crowded room hit me as soon as I stepped back inside. The air was thick with the scent of cinnamon and evergreen, mingling with the sound of laughter and music. Roman’s arm still hung loosely around my shoulders, and I considered shrugging it off, but his easy confidence made it hard to push him away.
“See? Not so bad, right?” Roman asked, glancing down at me with a playful grin.
I rolled my eyes. “We’ll see.”
The dance floor was packed with couples swaying to the slow rhythm of a holiday ballad. Rowan took a step forward, turning back to face me with a small smile.
“Dance with me,” he said simply, extending his hand.
I hesitated, glancing between him and Roman, who was already stepping away with a wink. “Go ahead, Vesper. Rowan’s the best dancer out of all of us.”
“That’s a low bar,” Orion muttered from behind me, his voice barely audible over the music.
Rowan ignored his brother, his hand still outstretched. His smile was calm and reassuring, and for a moment, I let my guard down.
“Okay,” I said quietly, placing my hand in his.
His fingers were warm as they curled gently around mine, and he led me to the edge of the dance floor where there was just enough space for the two of us. Rowan placed his other hand lightly on my waist, giving me a moment to adjust before we began moving.
“You don’t have to be nervous,” he said softly, his eyes meeting mine. “I promise I won’t step on your toes.”
I laughed despite myself, the sound surprising me. “You’d better not.”
Rowan guided me with an ease that made it impossible not to follow. He was steady and confident, his movements deliberate but unforced.
“You’re good at this,” I said after a moment, my voice barely above a whisper.
He smiled, his gaze never leaving mine. “So are you.”
“I’m not,” I said with a shake of my head. “I’m just trying not to trip over my own feet.”
“You’re doing better than you think,” he said, his tone kind.
We danced in comfortable silence for a while, the music filling the space between us. There was something about Rowan that made it easy to forget the noise and chaos around us. He had a calming presence, one that made me feel like I could let my guard down, even if just for a moment.
“So,” he said after a while, his voice breaking the silence. “What’s your favorite Christmas memory?”
The question caught me off guard. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “I guess I don’t really have one.”
Rowan frowned, his brow furrowing slightly. “None at all?”
I shook my head. “The holidays have never been… my thing.”
He studied me for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. “Maybe it’s time to make some new memories.”
“Maybe,” I said, though I wasn’t sure I believed it.
The song ended, and I stepped back, suddenly aware of how close we’d been. Rowan let his hands drop to his sides, but his gaze lingered on mine.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Anytime,” he replied with a small smile.
Before I could say anything else, Roman appeared at my side, his energy as infectious as ever.
“My turn,” he declared, holding out his hand.
“Do I get a say in this?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Nope,” Roman said with a grin.
I sighed but placed my hand in his anyway. Roman wasted no time, spinning me onto the dance floor with a dramatic flair that made me laugh despite myself.
“See?” he said, his grin widening. “You’re already having more fun.”
“You’re impossible,” I said, though I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.
Roman was the complete opposite of Rowan. Where Rowan was steady and calm, Roman was bold and unpredictable. He twirled me around the dance floor with a confidence that bordered on reckless, but he never let me stumble.
“So, Vesper,” he said, his tone teasing. “What’s it like being the center of attention tonight?”
“I’m not the center of attention,” I said quickly, though the heat rising to my cheeks betrayed me.
“Could’ve fooled me,” he said with a wink. “You’ve got all three of us wrapped around your finger.”
“Roman,” I said, my tone warning.
“What?” he asked innocently. “I’m just stating facts.”
I shook my head, though I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you love it,” he said, his grin widening.
The song ended before I could respond, and Roman gave me a dramatic bow before stepping aside. Orion was waiting nearby, his hands shoved into his pockets as he watched us with a look I couldn’t quite read.
“Your turn,” Roman said, clapping his brother on the shoulder as he passed.
Orion hesitated, his gaze flicking to mine.
“Are you asking me to dance, or are you just going to stand there?” I asked, crossing my arms.
He smirked, stepping closer. “I thought you didn’t like dancing.”
“I don’t,” I said. “But apparently, I’m not allowed to say no tonight.”
Orion chuckled, holding out his hand. “Fair enough.”
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