~002~ AN IMPROMPTU DATE

NORA

His scent hits me first. How is that possible? It's been three years. Yet, I still recognize it.

Woodsy scent, mixed with that perfect amber. A scent so expensive and masculine that I spent entirely too much time pretending I didn't notice back then.

My heart starts racing as he takes another step closer to me. I should probably call an exorcist. Instead, I stand there, my legs on the verge of giving out.

"You're crying." His voice is much deeper than I remember. Rougher too, in a way that makes me shiver.

A calloused thumb brushes beneath my eye, and I flinch. He catches a tear before it can fall and studies it for a second. Then those dark blue eyes lift back to mine.

"Bad breakup, little wolf?"

For a moment, I can't speak. I just stare. Then, like an idiot, I nod.

The corner of his mouth twitches. And suddenly my shock evaporates.

"How the hell are you alive?" I demand. "I went to your funeral, Marcellus. I watched them lower a casket with your name on it."

He snorts, that infuriating ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. The scar slicing through his brow shifts with the expression, making him look even more dangerously beautiful.

"Did you cry?"

My mouth falls open.

"Oh my God."

His smile widens. "You did."

"You psychopath!"

"No welcome back hug?" he teases, spreading his arms slightly. "Or has my little wolf been living her life just fine without me? You didn’t even care that today's my death anniversary."

Blood drains from my face. "Are you... are you a ghost? Shit, how much champagne have I had? This can’t be happening."

He plays along for a second, tilting his head with mock solemnity, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement.

"Boo."

That does it. I snap, anger and confusion simmering inside of me. "You absolute bastard—" I swing my hand towards his chest.

He catches my wrist effortlessly, his grip firm but not bruising. Then he turns my hand and presses a soft kiss to the back of it.

His lips linger, sending unwanted heat pooling low in my belly.

"I missed you, Nora," he utters, his voice tender.

Fuck me.

We were never like this.

We fought. We argued. We drove each other insane. So why...why am I suddenly struggling to breathe?

Suddenly I'm twenty again. Lying on that bed with him, his body unresponsive.

My throat tightens.

"How are you alive?" I whisper.

"It’s a long story," he replies, and I gape at him.

"That's it? It's been three years. I thought..." My voice cracks as I recall the terrible burden that came with the survivor's guilt.

He looks away, a muscle ticking in his jaw. When he meets my gaze, I catch a glimpse of pain before it vanishes.

"Come on now. Don't get all soft on me. That's not who you are," he says. "Besides, it looks like you've got bigger things to worry about."

He cocks his head in the direction of the entrance.

I frown. "What?"

He releases my hand but doesn't step back, crowding my space in that way only he can.

"From what I saw, Sebastian's already moving on."

I stare at him in utter disbelief, my heart racing. "You've got to be kidding me. After everything—"

I storm past him towards the hall entrance. But the second I reach the arched doorway, I freeze.

Sebastian is indeed laughing with some tall, willowy brunette in a silver dress that clings like it was painted on. He looks completely... unaffected.

My face goes red-hot, humiliation burning up my neck and cheeks. The knife in my chest twists again, deeper this time.

I feel Marcellus behind me before I hear him, that cologne wrapping around me.

"Let me be your date tonight."

I swallow hard, my fists clenched at my sides. Sebastian hasn't even noticed me yet, but I know he will.

"Fine," I whisper.

I turn to Marcellus, meeting those menacing eyes. "You can be my date. But this doesn't mean anything, Marcellus. Don't get any ideas."

His smirk returns as he offers me his arm. And when I take it, sparks shoot up my arm.

Shit.

This is such a terrible idea.

He hands me another glass of champagne. "Here you go. A little courage boost just in case you feel the urge to chicken out."

Curling my fingers around the glass, I glare at him.

"Fuck you, Marcellus."

...

The champagne is doing exactly what champagne is supposed to do. Making terrible ideas feel brilliant.

The orchestra has switched songs at some point. Soft strings drift through the ballroom while Marcellus spins me effortlessly across the dance floor.

I hate that he's a good dancer.

And for the love of God, this demon smells so amazing, it’s actually diabolical. I especially hate that every woman in this room keeps staring at him like he's a limited-edition Adonis.

"You're glaring at a seventy-year-old woman," he drawls, and I blink.

The elderly woman immediately looks away. Oh no, I’m such an ass. Mum would probably smack the daylights out of me if she found out that I was so disrespectful.

Wait… What is this granny even doing at a couples-only gala?

I finish the rest of my champagne. Then I immediately steal another glass from a passing waiter. Marcellus keeps watching me like he knows something I don’t.

"Nora."

"What?"

"Slow down."

"I'm coping. Sue me.”

A laugh rumbles from his chest. And oh, I swear my stomach tickles. Oops, silly me.

Why did he have to come back looking like that?

The song ends, a police applause rolling through the room. And that's when I see Sebastian standing near the edge of the dance floor, watching us.

The smile falls from my face. For a second, I think he's angry. Then I realize something.

He's white as paper. His eyes aren't even on me.

They're locked on Marcellus.

Marcellus notices too. The amusement disappears from his expression. Just for a second. Then it returns in full blast, like he’s slipping on a mask. That is so hot.

Okay, stop, Nora. Something strange is going on between my ex and my latest date.

Before I can think too hard about it, Sebastian starts walking towards us.

Oh no. Absolutely not. I am not sober enough for this.

"What's wrong with him?" I mutter.

Marcellus's gaze drills into Sebastian. “You'd have to ask him."

Something in his tone makes me feel queasy. Sebastian finally reaches us. His jaw is clenched.

"Nora."

I immediately dislike that tone. It’s the one he uses when he's trying to manage me.

"What?"

"What exactly are you doing?"

I stare at him. Then I beam. “I think I'm existing just fine without your approval, Mr Arrogant."

His eyes dart to Marcellus. A surprising emotion flashes across his face. Fear.

It’s gone so quickly that I almost miss it.

What the hell?

"You don't know him," Sebastian says.

Marcellus chuckles. “Oh, this should be good."

I squint between them. The room suddenly feels much warmer. Maybe because I've finished yet another glass of champagne.

"You know what?" I slur.

Both men look at me, and I smirk clumsily. “Marcellus is my boyfriend."

They both stare at me in absolute silence, and I grin. Sebastian looks like I just slapped him. Marcellus, however, lifts one dark brow. The bastard looks pleased.

"You’re drunk,” Sebastian tells me and I grin.

"Yep."

"Nora—"

"New boyfriend."

I point dramatically at Marcellus. “This one."

Marcellus coughs into his fist. He’s clearly trying not to laugh. I grab another glass of champagne from a passing tray.

"To new beginnings."

Then I drink the entire thing. Because tomorrow's Nora can deal with whatever catastrophe tonight's Nora just created.

“Nora, our wedding is in two weeks,” Sebastian grits out, and I cock my head.

“Who cares?”