Chapter 100
Camila POV
Tessa didn’t push. She just sat down beside me and let out a long, dramatic sigh. “Your mom looks gorgeous. Like, actually stunning 1 don’t think I’ve ever seen her look that happy before.”
I blinked. “Yeah.”
Tessa tilted her head. “You’re not gonna say it back?”
“She does look happy,” I murmured. “Just… weird seeing it happen, you know?*
Tessa nodded and sipped her drink. “You still think Greg’s a creep?”
Oh, more than that, I think he is a fucking werewolf. But I didn’t say that. I just let out a laugh that sounded a little too dry. “I think Greg’s… persistent.”
She snorted. “That’s one way to say it.”
The lights in the reception hall shifted to a warm gold glow as the DJ announced the first dance. My mom and Greg were pulled into the center of the floor, all eyes on them. She had changed into a sleeker white gown for the reception–satin with a low back–and her smile could’ve lìt up the entire city.
I didn’t know why it made my stomach turn.
“You good?” Tessa asked again, her voice softer now.
“I’m always good.”
Another lie.
I watched them dance, swaying slowly like there wasn’t a care in the world. And somehow, my gaze drifted–again–to the far corner of the
hall.
To Ethan.
He was leaning against the wall, suit jacket unbuttoned, tie loose around his neck, arms crossed like he was trying to look casual. But his eyes were locked on me.
Again.
We stared at each other for a second too long. Just long enough to make my skin feel too tight. Then I tore my eyes away and took a long sip from my champagne, hoping the alcohol would drown out the weird tension crawling under my skin.
“You know he’s been watching you all night, right?” Tessa muttered.
I blinked at her. “What?”
She nodded toward Ethan, not even trying to be subtle. “He hasn’t taken his eyes off you.”
“He’s… worried,” I said quickly. “I had a thing happen. It’s nothing.”
“A thing?”
“Yeah.” Like.., supernatural thing, Tess.
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Chapter 100
Tessa raised both brows, Girl, are you dating him?
‘No, Tess! His my stepbrother!”
It came out a little too loud, and the people at the next table gave me a look. I smiled awkwardly and fowered my voice, “Don’t day weird things like that.”
The music changed to something faster, and people started getting up to dance. Tessa did, too, grabbing my hand and dragging me toward the floor before I could argue. I danced for a bit. Faked some smiles. Laughed when she spun me around like we were kids again.
But it didn’t last.
After a few songs, I excused myself and made my way
t of the reception hall. I just needed ait. Space. A second to not pretend like
everything was okay when, truthfully, I felt like I was unraveling from the inside out.
I stepped out into the garden, where it was quieter. The air smelled like roses and night blooming jasmine, and the lights strung overhead cast a warm, golden glow over the tables and hedges.
I leaned against the stone railing and stared up at the sky.
Just breathe, Camila. It’s just one night.
“You disappeared.”
I turned. Ethan was there, hands in his pockets, a soft smile on his cheeks.
“I needed air,” I told him.
“You okay?”
No.
“Yes,” I lied again, because it was easier.
He stepped closer. Not close enough to touch, but enough to make my heart beat a little faster. “You’ve been quiet.”
“It’s a wedding.”
“Still.”
I shrugged. “Guess I don’t do well with big life events.”
We stood in silence for a moment. I could feel him watching me again, but I didn’t look up.
“You look beautiful,” he said quietly.
I finally looked at him. “Why are you saying that?”
‘Because it’s true.”
I wanted to say something sarcastic, or brush it off like I always did. But I didn’t. Ljust stood there, blinking up a do with that warmth crawling up my spine
“Thanks,” I murmured, surprising even myself.
Still outside, I wrapped my arms tightly across my chest, as if that alone would hold me together.
unsure of what to
Chapter 100
My lips parted before I could stop myself. So now we’re officially step siblings. I didn’t look at Ethan as I said it. I hope that gets your head out of the gutter.”
The words were meant to sting, to push him away, but they caught in my under my ribs. It hurt to say that. Why the hell did it hurt?
throat on the way out. There was this weird ache sitting right
And then I felt it. Arms–strong and warm–wrapped around me from behind.
I gasped, stiffening like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water on me. “Ethan!‘ I breathed, practically squeaking.
What the hell was he doing?
His chin dipped into the crook of my neck, his breath tickling my skin, and I swear to God, my heart started doing jumping jacks in my chest. I could feel his lips brush the sensitive spot just below my ear when he spoke. “Get my head out of the gutter?” His voice was calm–too calm–but there was something laced in it. Something that made goosebumps rise up my arms. “What do you mean by that, hmm?”
His arms tightened around my waist, and I felt a shiver race down my spine. It was the kind of tone that made you feel like you were standing too close to a fire. You didn’t know whether to step in closer or run the hell away.
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