YURI

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

A new day rolled in, the sun spilling warm light through my curtains, and with it came Mom’s latest idea—throwing a barbecue party. “One big family gathering under one sky,” she’d called it, and normally I’d roll my eyes at her poetic phrasing, but today… I was listening. Because somewhere between her words about food and laughter, she mentioned casually—too casually—that Killian would be leaving in the morning.

That was it. Tonight was my one and only chance. My only shot before the universe ripped him away from me and left me wondering for who-knows-how-long when I’d see him again.

The thought lit a fire in me. My chest tightened, half with anticipation, half with panic. There wouldn’t be another “accidental” brush of hands or stolen glance across the room. No. Tonight would be intentional. Every word, every smile, every move—I’d make them count.

If Killian wanted to leave with his smug little smirk, fine. But I was going to make damn sure that when he closed his eyes in New York, the only thing he saw… was me.

Before I even had the chance to get ready and head downstairs, the smell of smoky, charred meat was already sneaking its way up to my room. Through the window, I caught sight of Kendall and Joanne, already stationed by the grill alongside Joe and Kirby. Kendall was flipping burgers like a pro, Joanne was laughing at something Joe said, and Kirby was busy brushing marinade over a row of ribs like she was painting a masterpiece.

Danielle was darting around the yard, chasing her overly excited dog, who seemed convinced the barbecue was actually for him. The poor thing’s tail was wagging so fast it could’ve powered a small windmill.

Paul and his family were yet to arrive, which meant the chaos was only at half-strength for now. It gave me a small window—time to put myself together and slide into the evening like I hadn’t been secretly planning my own little mission.

The air already buzzed with chatter, laughter, and the occasional sizzle from the grill, and I could feel that familiar cocktail of excitement and nerves stirring in my stomach. Somewhere out there, Killian was in the mix… and tonight, I wasn’t going to let him slip through the cracks.

As I stood at the edge of the stairs, I could feel him—like a magnetic pull brushing against my senses. It was almost as if his breath grazed the strands of my hair, lingering there, but I didn’t dare turn around. Whether it was real or just my imagination running wild, I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing the effect he had on me. So, I straightened my posture, fixed my face into the calmest mask I could manage, and walked straight toward the back garden, where the hum of laughter and clinking glasses wrapped the evening in a warm glow.

The scent of grilled meat hung heavy in the air, mingling with the sweet notes of lemonade and the faint perfume of fresh-cut grass. Everyone was scattered in little groups—some lounging under the shade, others gathered near the grill, all happily chatting away like this was the easiest place in the world to be.

Just as I was about to slip into the crowd, Paul and his family strolled in, bringing with them that sudden rise in volume only a late arrival can cause. Mom’s face lit up instantly, her arms opening wide.

“Now we’re finally complete,” she said, the words carrying that warm, proud tone she always used when she managed to gather everyone she loved in one place.

And yet, somewhere just beyond the sea of familiar faces, my gaze kept drifting—searching for one particular pair of eyes that could undo me in seconds.