Chris’s hands settled gently on my waist. “Are you uncomfortable? We can just wait it out if you want.”
Something in his consideration made me relax slightly. “It’s just… I don’t usually go to events like this.”
“Neither do I, actually.”
His admission surprised me. “I thought you were experienced with this kind of thing.”
“Me? God, no.” A nervous laugh escaped from him. “Well, that makes two of us then.” His voice grew softer. “To be honest, I only came tonight because… well, because I was hoping to meet you.”
The honesty in his words caught me off guard. I looked up at him through the dim lighting, seeing something genuine in his eyes.
He stepped closer. “Sable, I…”
“Can I kiss you?”
Just as I opened my mouth to respond-
The lights blazed on.
The sudden brightness made both of us squint and step apart. Around us, groans of disappointment filled the air.
“Seriously? That was like thirty seconds!”
“We barely got started!”
“This is bullshit-where’s the five minutes they promised?”
“Couldn’t they give us some warning before turning the lights back on?”
Couples throughout the ballroom were pulling apart awkwardly, looking around with embarrassed expressions.
I pushed gently against Chris’s chest. “Chris, I…”
He immediately stepped back, his expression understanding rather than disappointed. “It’s okay, Sable. The timing was terrible anyway.”
“Thank you for being so understanding.” Relief flooded through me.
Chris gave an exaggerated sigh. “But I have to admit, I’m pretty disappointed.”
“Disappointed?” I tilted my head curiously.
He winked, switching to a playful tone. “Maybe there’s some jealous ex-boyfriend lurking around here, waiting to sabotage our romantic moments.”
Despite everything, I burst out laughing. “Your imagination is incredible.”
“Or maybe the lighting technician couldn’t stand seeing us look so perfect together and turned the lights on out of pure jealousy.” He continued with mock seriousness.
“Chris, you should seriously consider stand-up comedy.” I was laughing so hard my sides hurt.
The dance portion of the evening was clearly over. People were drifting toward the lounge areas, and upbeat conversation music replaced the waltz.
‘I should go find Scarlett. I’m worried about her being alone.” I used the natural transition to create some distance.
“Of course.” Chris nodded like the gentleman he’d been all evening.
‘I really had a wonderful time tonight, Chris. Thank you for teaching me to dance.” The gratitude in my voice was genuine.
“The pleasure was all mine. I hope we can dance again sometime.” His smile was warm without being pushy.
Some of Chris’s friends called out to him from across the room, and he waved in their direction.
“Chris! Who was that gorgeous woman you were dancing with?”
He glanced back at me with a grin. “I’ll come find you later, okay?”
I nodded and began weaving through the crowd, searching for Scarlett’s familiar figure.
“Where did she go? She should be near the champagne table…” I muttered to myself, scanning the room.
I was halfway across the ballroom when every light went out again.
This time the darkness was complete. Even the emergency lights dimmed to almost nothing.
The host’s voice crackled through the sound system: “Ladies and gentlemen, we sincerely apologize! Our romantic interlude experienced technical difficulties earlier. Let’s try again with a proper five minutes of magic!
Laughter and cheers erupted from the crowd.
“Ha! So it really was a malfunction!
“This time better not glitch out on us!”
I was still processing the host’s announcement when I felt strong arms lift me off my feet.
Before I could react, someone had scooped me up in a princess carry.
“What- Put me down! Who are you?” Panic shot through my voice.
The mysterious figure moved quickly and silently away from the crowd, carrying me effortlessly. I tried to struggle, but his grip was firm without being painful.
“Help! Someone-mmph!” A large hand covered my mouth, cutting off my cry.
I was about to bite down when a scent hit me, stopping me cold.
Sandalwood and cedar, with hints of spice, leather, and musk. Comforting and addictive, like a campfire with wisps of smoke. The kind of scent that made you feel completely satisfied when the flames died down.
My eyes widened in shock. “Caelan?!”
But the man carrying me remained silent, his face dark with some unreadable emotion as he continued walking away from the ballroom.
Caelan’s POV
I stride out of the darkened ballroom, my face grim and my jaw clenched tight. The hallway blazes with light, a sharp contrast to the blackness I’ve just left behind. Each step echoes off the polished walls as I carry a struggling Sable in my arms.
“Caelan, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” she demands, writhing against my chest.
I don’t answer. My arms tighten around her.
Put me down! Her voice rises with anger. “You have no right to-
Still nothing from me. The silence seems to fuel her fury even more.
“We’re broken up, remember?” She pounds her fist against my shoulder. “You can’t just drag me around like some caveman!”
My grip doesn’t loosen. If anything, I hold her closer.
Flashback
Twenty minutes earlier, I was sitting in my penthouse, when my phone buzzed with a text from Peter.
“Dude, check this out. An attached screenshot showed a social media post someone’s selfie from what looked like a fancy party. In the background, barely visible but unmistakable, were two familiar profiles.
Sable. And Scarlett.
“It’s not just any party, Peter texted immediately after. “It’s a fucking singles mixer. A goddamn speed dating event dressed up as a dance.
I stared at the screen, my vision blurring at the edges.
“I’m losing my mind here, man,” Peter continued. “Scarlett took my virginity and then threw me away like garbage. And now she’s pimping out your girl to other guys.”
His next message was a string of angry emojis followed by: “Get your ass over here. NOW.”
I was already reaching for my keys.
The drive to the hotel was a blur of rage and panic. Peter met me in the lobby, his face flushed with fury.
“There,” he pointed toward the ballroom entrance. “Scarlett’s in there somewhere, probably giving Sable dating advice.”
My eyes swept the crowded dance floor until I found her.
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