~HAZEL~

Elias's smile was easy, the kind that promised no complications. No soul-deep bonds or forbidden feelings.

Just a dance. Simple. Nothing to worry about.

I should have said no. The word was already forming on my tongue—polite, safe, distant. But the image of Ashton's hands on Ariel's waist was enough to make me do the opposite.

"One dance," I heard myself say. "That's it."

Elias's grin widened, a spark of genuine surprise lighting his features. "One dance it is. I'll ...