The next morning,

I woke up wrapped in silk sheets, limbs

tangled with his.

The sun leaked through the tall windows in golden streaks, painting our skin with morning warmth.

Shane lay beside me, one arm lazily draped around my waist, his breathing steady.

For a moment, I allowed myself to exist there—bare, content, and silent. Then I remembered what day it was.

The day I’d walk into Alexander and Isabella’s engagement party like I was there to celebrate… when in reality, I ...