I forced a smile so fake it hurt my cheeks. "Yeah. Hi, Ace."
He gave me a lazy, almost bored smile. "Hey, Brit."
It was like I didn’t even exist to him. Like our kiss, that electric moment, was just a figment of my imagination. Maybe it was.
Dinner dragged on like a slow, cruel death. I picked at my plate while everyone laughed and gossiped around me. My mom sat across the table, whispering with Juliette and Daniel about the "catastrophic" magazine photos.
"She needs to lose at least five pounds before Milan," my mom said.
"At least," Juliette agreed. "No offense, Brit, but the camera adds ten pounds, and it’s not helping."
I stared at my plate, my appetite gone. My hands balled into fists under the table.
"Speaking of," Sierra said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Ace and I saw your photoshoot."
I looked up cautiously, catching Ace's smirk.
"Yeah," he said, nodding. "Maybe lay off the desserts, Brit."
The table erupted in laughter. Even Sierra giggled, covering her mouth like she was being cute.
I blinked, my throat tightening painfully. "Excuse me?"
"I'm just saying," Ace chuckled, reaching for his wine. "If you’re serious about being a model, you might want to hit the gym."
I felt like I had been slapped. Humiliated. In front of everyone.
"Ace," Juliette said lightly, "be nice."
"I'm just being honest," he shrugged, not even looking at me. "Not everyone can be a Victoria’s Secret angel."
The laughter swelled again, drowning me.
I shoved my chair back and stood up, my vision blurring. "I’ll be back," I muttered, barely keeping my voice steady.
I rushed out into the backyard, gasping for air. The cool night hit me like a slap, but it wasn't enough to erase the humiliation burning through my veins.
I sat on the swing set Sierra and I used to play on as kids, gripping the chains so tightly my knuckles turned white.
"Brit?" a voice called softly.
I looked up to see Sierra peeking out the door.
"You okay?"
"Peachy," I snapped, wiping at my eyes quickly.
She frowned, stepping closer. "Don't be so sensitive. Ace was just joking."
"Joking," I repeated bitterly.
"Yeah. Besides," she said, smoothing her dress down, "he's mine now. You had your chance."
I stared at her, feeling like the ground had been ripped out from under me.
"What are you talking about?"
She gave a small, smug smile. "Everyone knew you had a crush on him. But you’re a kid, Brit. You’re not woman enough for someone like Ace."
