LILY
The second Ace left, the silence in my room felt almost unreal. My heart was still fluttering from our conversation, from the way he’d looked at me, so firm and commanding, yet gentle in the same breath. I sank onto the edge of my bed and hugged the dress bag to my chest, my cheeks heating without me even realizing it.
A small laugh escaped me — nervous, breathless. Why am I even like this? I thought, shaking my head. My palms tingled where they’d brushed his hand moments ago. My mind kept replaying his words: “You’re coming. Stop making excuses.”
I couldn’t help it. I had spent so long dodging him, second-guessing every interaction, trying to stay invisible. And yet, tonight, he had made the choice for me. For me.
With a shaky exhale, I set the bag down and unfolded the dress. It
