Jasper turns, his slate-gray eyes lighting up when he sees me. “Brit, hey! Happy you’re here.” His gaze shifts to Corinne, and for a second, something flickers between them—a flicker that only I seem to notice. "And you brought Corinne," he adds smoothly, offering his hand. “Nice to see you again.”
Corinne shakes it, cheeks flushing slightly. “Happy birthday, Jasper.”
I smirk inwardly. Oh yeah, they have it bad.
But then—
I feel it before I see him. That unmistakable shift in the air, the tightening in my gut, the sudden awareness of a presence I have spent a year and a half trying to forget.
Ace.
I stiffen, my pulse pounding as I watch him approach Jasper from across the room. He’s changed. God, he’s changed. Gone is the reckless boy with the crooked grin and messy hair. He’s taller somehow, broader, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that hugs his body like a second skin. His jawline is sharper, his hair a little shorter, his dark eyes even more intense.
The room seems to tilt as he claps Jasper on the shoulder, the two of them doing their typical bro handshake, laughing softly.
My throat tightens. I can’t do this. Not here. Not now.
“Excuse me,” I murmur to Corinne, and before anyone can stop me, I slip through the crowd toward the hallway. My heels click against the marble as I hurry into the powder room, gripping the edge of the marble sink as I catch my breath. My reflection stares back at me—flushed cheeks, wide eyes, lips trembling just slightly.
Pull it together, Brit.
After a few minutes, I smooth my dress and run my fingers through my hair, forcing a steady breath. I can do this. I can walk back out there and be cool. Ace Ashford is just another guest at this party.
But fate has other plans.
As I push the bathroom door open, I nearly crash into him.
"Whoa," Ace murmurs, his hands going to my arms to steady me. The touch burns through the satin like fire. “Brit.” His voice is rougher, deeper, sending a ripple down my spine. His eyes sweep over me, lingering just a little too long. "You look… different."
I jerk away, lifting my chin. “Yeah. People change, Ace. You should try it sometime.”
His mouth curves into a half-smile, one I remember too well. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
"Why? Because you expected me to disappear permanently?" My voice is cool, sharp. “Sorry to disappoint.”
He exhales slowly, eyes darkening. "That’s not what I meant."
I cross my arms. “Look, Ace, whatever this is—don’t. You made yourself very clear when you walked out of that hospital and never looked back. We don’t need to play catch-up now.”
He flinches, just slightly, and I feel the smallest, cruelest thrill of satisfaction. Good. Let him squirm.
“I didn’t know,” he murmurs, voice low. “I didn’t know you were in the psych ward. Jasper didn’t tell me until later.”
I huff out a bitter laugh. “Wow, so you just thought I vanished off the face of the earth? That makes it better.”
His jaw tightens. “Brit—”
“No,” I cut in, holding up a hand. “Don’t ‘Brit’ me. You don’t get to stand here and act like you care. You had your chance, Ace. You left.”
For a moment, neither of us speaks. The sounds of the party drift down the hall—laughter, the faint clink of glasses, the soft murmur of the quartet. And in this pocket of silence, it’s just us and all the words we never said.
Finally, Ace rakes a hand through his hair, looking tired, raw. “You look happy,” he says softly. “Healthier.”
“I am,” I snap, though the fierceness in my tone surprises even me. “Because I fought for it. Without you.”
His gaze flickers. “I’m glad.”
The ache in my chest sharpens. God, why is it so hard to breathe around him? I shake my head, forcing a hollow laugh. “Look, go back to the party. Go be Jasper’s best friend, toast champagne, whatever. Just… stay out of my way.”
