Alex shook his head, his frustration evident. “My father’s the reason for this arranged circus. I don’t even like the girl, but I don’t have a choice.”
We exchanged knowing glances, sharing a moment of understanding. Neither of us had chosen the lives we were born into, but we’d learned to navigate them on our terms—or as much as we could.
I lifted my glass toward him. “Cheers to making the best of it, then.”
Alex smirked faintly, clinking his glass against mine. “Cheers.”
A girl in a short silver dress approached Alex, her hips swaying seductively as she closed the distance.
“Hey, handsome,” she purred, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning in to whisper something in his ear.
Alex glanced at us briefly, his expression unreadable. Logan and I raised our glasses, offering a wi
