I smiled for real this time and followed him onto the floor. We found our own rhythm, moving together while everything else faded. I got lost in it—the music, the feeling of doing exactly what I wanted without shame.
"Thank you," I whispered to him as we danced. "I didn't think being messy could be so refreshing."
***
TRISHA
The music died mid-beat, and I felt the entire room shift. Vanilla from my birthday cake mixed with too many competing perfumes, a reminder of the weeks I'd spent making sure tonight would be flawless. Everything had been perfect… until she ruined it.
My eyes shot to the entrance. Lila stood there with Callum Reid's arm around her waist. Captain of Silvercrest. The crowd went silent, people stepping back like they were witnessing something historic. Her presence
