Not his first choice

Chapter 16

Sienna steps out of the bathroom, her mind still clouded with everything that just happened. She takes a deep breath, smoothing her dress as she walks back towards the dining area. The tension from earlier still lingers in her body, but she forces herself to keep her expression neutral. As she re-enters the room, she spots Damon leaning casually against the doorway, arms crossed, a knowing look on his face.

"You okay?" Damon asks, his tone light but with a hint of concern.

Sienna nods quickly. "Yeah, just needed a moment."

He studies her for a second longer before shrugging. "Alright, if you say so."

Before he can push further, Lucian walks in barely two minutes later, his gaze flickering between them. "What did I miss?" he asks casually.

The grandfather, seated comfortably at the head of the table, chuckles. "Nothing much. Just trying to convince Sienna to play my favorite piece on the piano for me."

Sienna smiles at the older man. "I’ll play something, but I get to choose the piece."

"That’s my girl," the grandfather says warmly.

Sienna moves towards the grand piano in the corner of the room, her fingers brushing over the keys before she starts playing a soft, melancholic tune. The melody fills the room, calming the tense energy. When she finishes, there’s a quiet moment of appreciation before everyone starts preparing to leave.

As Sienna steps outside, Damon walks beside her. "You sure you're okay?" he asks again, his voice quieter this time.

She exhales. "I'm fine, Damon. Just a long night."

He doesn’t press further, and soon, everyone parts ways for the night.

---

The next day, Sienna meets Theo and Sophie at an upscale spa, eager to unwind. As they settle into plush chairs, sipping on infused water, Theo smirks at her.

"So, dinner with the Sterling family, huh?" Theo teases. "And attending with one brother while pining for the other? The drama! It’s like you’re the star of your own romance novel."

Sienna groans. "I swear, I’m going to stop telling you guys things. I don't know why you take the little information I give and turn it into an interrogation."

Sophie grins. "Because it's fun. Also, it's not our fault your life is ten times more interesting than ours."

Sienna rolls her eyes. "I thought we came here to relax."

"We are relaxing," Theo says, stretching out. "Just with entertainment."

Sienna shakes her head, sipping her drink. "Fine. Let's talk about something else. Like, I don't know... that one person we all hate."

Sophie’s eyes light up. "Oh my God, yes! Did you see what Veronica posted yesterday? She’s still pretending her boutique is some luxury empire when we all know it’s barely surviving."

Theo snickers. "I swear, that woman is allergic to honesty."

They spend the next few minutes gossiping and laughing before Sienna turns to Theo. "Speaking of romance, I hear you’re still in your fairytale relationship. How’s Liam?"

Theo's face softens. "Liam’s amazing. Honestly, I feel like I hit the jackpot. We met while working on the same project—he’s a civil engineer, and I was handling the interior design. He’s kind, insanely talented, and somehow puts up with me."

Sienna smiles. "I love that for you. A stable, healthy romance. Maybe I should take notes."

Theo raises a brow. "You definitely should, darling. No more settling for half-hearted affections."

Sienna sighs dramatically. "I hear you. Loud and clear."

"we need to go to the club tonight to unwind and I think someone needs to get laid asap" Sophie said and cheers to that"

They all clink their glasses together, basking in the warmth of their friendship, before continuing their afternoon of pampering and playful banter.

The bass thrums through the club, pulsing like a second heartbeat, drowning out everything but the rhythm. The air is thick—tequila, sweat, and expensive perfume mixing in an intoxicating haze.

Sienna doesn’t think as she downs another shot, warmth blooming in her chest. Sophie is already pulling her toward the dance floor, grinning.

“No brooding tonight,” Sophie yells over the music. “That’s an order.”

Sienna scoffs but lets herself be dragged. “I don’t brood.”

Sophie gives her a knowing look before twirling away, lost in the crowd.

Sienna exhales, rolling her shoulders, letting herself melt into the music. The beat is addictive, thrumming through her bones, commanding her body to move. She lets it take her, closing her eyes, swaying to the heavy bass.

Then she feels it.

Heat. A hand—firm, deliberate—settling at her waist.

A shiver licks up her spine.

She turns, expecting to find some random guy trying his luck.

But the moment she locks eyes with the man behind her, her breath catches.

Lucian.

He’s standing close, too close, his presence coiling around her like something tangible. He looks out of place in the dim neon glow—tailored, polished, but still radiating that sharp, untouchable dominance. His eyes, though, are darker than usual. Focused.

She blinks. “Lucian?”

He doesn’t move his hand. “You’re sure about this?”

She frowns. “Sure about what?”

His gaze flickers past her—to the bar, where Theo is watching with amused curiosity. “About being here. With him.”

Understanding clicks.

She huffs a laugh. “Yeah. I’m with Theo.”

Lucian’s grip tightens ever so slightly before he exhales, shaking his head. “Again with that Theo.”

Something in his tone makes her stomach flip.

She tilts her head, eyes glinting. “What’s your problem with him?”

Lucian doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he steps closer, voice lowering. “You know exactly what my problem is.”

Her pulse jumps, but she keeps her expression neutral. “He’s my best friend, Lucian.”

Lucian scoffs, his fingers flexing against her waist before he finally—finally—lets go. “You say that like it makes a difference.”

Her lips curve. “It does. And besides—” She lifts a shoulder. “You’re not my type.”

His eyes flash. “No?”

“No.” She meets his gaze head-on, determined not to show the effect he has on her. “I like men who actually know what they want.”

The air between them shifts.

Lucian steps in again, closer than before, heat rolling off him in waves. His voice is a low rasp against her ear.

“You think I don’t know what I want?”

Sienna swallows, heart hammering. “I think you’re here, but I don’t know why.”

He watches her for a long moment, the music swelling around them, lights flickering across his face.

Then, his voice steady, he says—

“Let’s go.”

She blinks. “What?”

“Come with me.”

It’s not a request. It’s a decision.

Sienna’s breath shudders. She looks toward the bar—where Theo and Sophie are now openly gawking—then back at Lucian.

Her heart is a drum in her chest.

But she already knows her answer.

“Fine,” she says. “Let’s go.”