LOGINDominic's hand went up to my waist, holding it tightly as he deepened the kiss. Caught in the sudden rush of the moment, I dropped my purse and phone right onto the roof of the car. But as reality crashed back in, I abruptly pulled away, breaking the kiss."Wow," he breathed, staring down at me with a dark, intense expression in his eyes.I smiled lightly, my gaze darting past him to the parking lot entrance. Ethan was gone. The spot where he had been standing just moments ago was empty."Sorry, I didn't mean to do that. I just... got carried away," I told Dominic, feeling a sudden flutter of guilt."No, it's fine, Kat," he said softly, a pleased smile playing on his lips."I have to go now. It's getting late," I said quickly, grabbing my purse and phone from the roof. He walked me over to my car door, and just as I was about to slip inside, he leaned in and pecked my lips."I'll call you," he promised.I smiled, sliding into the driver's seat. "Thank you again," I called out b
"I've been looking everywhere for you," the lady said, whom I instantly recognized as his wife from the news."I'm speaking to someone," Ethan snapped.She glared at me, her jaw tight, before instantly forcing a strained smile. "Hi, I'm Ethan's wife," she said, waving stiffly at me."Hello," I replied, forcing a polite smile of my own."You met us while we were talking, Kiara. Can you leave?" Ethan said rather harshly.Kiara looked genuinely hurt, her eyes welling up, and a small part of me felt a cold spike of satisfaction—though I kept my expression carefully blank."Is this because of her?" she whispered, keeping her voice low so as not to cause a scene."Don't cause a scene," Ethan warned flatly.Without another word, Kiara suddenly leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Ethan immediately pulled back, wiping his mouth in pure disgust before she turned and hurried away."Is that not supposed to be the woman you dumped me for?" I threw at him, my patience wearing thin.Eth
The wedding day had finally arrived, and I couldn't be happier as we got ready."I'm so nervous, babes," Janice said nervously as the makeup artist applied the finishing touches."Shut up, girl. You look really good," I told her, still in my robe. I had already done my hair and makeup, but I hadn't put on my gown yet because she was too anxious to be left alone."I'm done, ma'am," the makeup artist said, beginning to pack up her things."You look so good," I told Janice as she stared at herself in the mirror, smiling widely."Thank you so much," she told the makeup artist, who flashed a polite smile."Time to put on your dress," I announced. The designer stepped forward, and together we helped her slip into the magnificent gown. In no time, she was dressed. I hurried over to the adjoining room to change into my own dress, and when I came back out, she was fully ready, the lace veil framing her face."Oh, my gosh," I breathed at the sight of my best friend, tears instantly sprin
I drove back to my hotel, and the moment I stepped inside the room, I sank onto the plush bed, replaying the unexpected encounter with Ethan in my mind. He looked as breathtaking as ever, but I couldn't allow myself to feel anything. That chapter of my life was firmly closed.Suddenly, my phone rang. Seeing it was Dominic—whose number I had saved earlier—I answered."Hello," I said."Hi, Kat. Can I take you out for lunch?" he asked, his tone warm. "I'll pick you up.""Ehhhm..." I hesitated."Please," he pressed gently.Reluctantly, I agreed. Dominic was undoubtedly attractive and charming, but I still couldn't picture myself romantically involved with anyone right now.After texting him the address of my hotel, I quickly freshened up and headed downstairs when he arrived."Hi," I greeted as he stepped out of his car to open the passenger door for me."Hello," he replied with a dashing smile, sliding back into the driver's seat after I got in. "You look really good.""You to
I could not believe my eyes when I saw Katherine. Honestly, I was not expecting to see her until the wedding day, but standing there right in front of me, she looked breathtaking. I mean, I had seen her pictures all over the internet during her meteoric rise in London, but seeing her in the flesh was absolute heaven."Are you going to ignore me?" I asked as she briefly looked down at her phone and then met my gaze with chilling indifference."Listen, Ethan, we're here for our friends, so let's not make it awkward. Besides, we have no business talking," she said, not harshly, but in a calm, detached way that cut straight through my chest."You look really good," I told her, desperate to hold onto a fragment of her attention.She rolled her eyes without uttering another word. Deep down, I knew leaving her a year ago was the only way to ensure her safety, but standing this close to her, the urge to pull her into my arms was suffocating."I know you're still mad at me," I said, my v
"Dominic," I said, smiling as he approached me and pulled me into a hug."You look so good, Katherine," he said after we broke the hug. "I mean, I've seen your pictures online, but seeing you in reality does so much justice."I felt a slight flush on my cheeks. "Enough," I told him, smiling. "Are you heading somewhere?""No, I actually just got back from Australia. Had a business meeting," he said, and I nodded."What brings you to New York?" he asked."Janice is getting married in a few days. Remember her? She used to come around my house back then," I told him.He nodded, a look of recognition crossing his face. "Yes, I do. Congratulations to her."Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my hand. It was a text message from Janice: Your ride is already at the airport.I lifted my head and spotted a sleek black SUV parked near the curb, a chauffeur in a sharp suit stepping out and bowing his head respectfully toward me."Load the boxes into the SUV," I instructed the airport security
I rushed downstairs without even glancing in a mirror, my heart hammering against my ribs. When I reached the living room, my jaw nearly hit the floor. There was Ethan Vance, looking effortlessly flawless in a casual designer shirt, completely engrossed in a conversation with my dad."Oh, here
My legs shook as we climbed the private stairs into the executive box, taking our seats. Ethan sat right in the middle, with Janice to his left and me to his right.How did I not know who he was?I was completely speechless as the game started. The players from both schools skated onto the ice, a
I don't care who you are. Just watch where you're going next time," I snapped, turning on my heel and marching toward the exit.Janice scrambled to follow right behind me. "Such an annoying dude," I muttered, my cheeks still burning from his intense gaze."Annoying, but dangerously cute, girl," J
I had spent extra hours glamming up today. It was my two-year anniversary with my boyfriend, Ashton. I clutched my bag, my heart doing little flips at the thought of kissing him on the lips.I spun my locker humming joyfully as I turned the lock.A picture fell out of my locker. I picked it up,







