Chapter 2 Burn

Josh looked at me with those damn puppy eyes."C'mon."

I bit my lip, eyes darting to the edge of the lounge where Zane leaned against the wall like he owned it. His gaze was glued to us-dark, unreadable-but I knew that look. Possession. Rage. He was angry.

What the fuck? He's the one who walked away... did he think I was gonna become a nun or something? This guy.

I turned back to Josh, who was too close, too sweet, and far too tempting for the emotional chaos I was in.

"I don't think he deserves that much of my energy," I said, laughing lightly. "Let's just dance."

Josh nodded, pulling me back onto the floor. The music was loud, pulsing with bass, and the lights washed over us in strobes of gold and crimson. I let the rhythm take over, let my body move like I didn't notice his eyes following every sway of my hips.

Somehow, I was starting to let loose. Starting to actually enjoy this party.

Sam reappeared at our side, her drink raised."There's my bitch!"

I laughed and grabbed her arm. "You look like you're having the best night of your life."

"I am," she said, twirling dramatically. "And guess what? Dave just told me something. Huge. We're doing the wedding weekend in Italy!"

I blinked. "Wait, what?"

"Italy, babe!" She wiggled her brows. "Remember Lake Como? A villa. Sunset vows. Wine. Pasta. Hot Italian men-well, not for me obviously.' i have always wanted to go to Italy,

I forced a smile. "Wow. That's... big."

I'd always wanted to go there. But now? It didn't sound as exciting. My heart couldn't handle it.

She frowned, reading my expression too easily. "You okay?"

"Totally. Just-Italy's a long way to go for a wedding."

"It's a whole experience," she said, nudging me. "And I want you there, Suzi. We're making memories, remember? plus You always wanted to go."

"Yes, but not like this."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Italy. Trapped in a villa. With him. The look in her eyes made me decide.

"Yeah," I said. "Of course. I'll be there."

"It'll be okay. I have your back," she said, suddenly serious.

Then she grinned again and whirled off to find Dave, glowing like a woman in a dream. I loved her. I really did. But this dream of hers was a living nightmare for me.

Josh leaned closer. "Italy, huh?"

I shot him a dry look. "Don't start."

"Wasn't gonna. But I will say this-if you need a distraction from tall, dark, and broody, I'm happy to volunteer."

I laughed, genuinely this time. "You're trouble."

"I'm exactly the right kind of trouble." He leaned in, and for a second-just a second-I almost let him kiss me. My lips parted, eyes closing halfway, the heat of him brushing against me-

Then I froze.

Not because of Josh. But because the air shifted.

Like someone had just opened a door to a room full of fire.

I didn't need to look. I felt him. I felt the rage crackling off of him like static in a storm.

Zane.

I stepped back quickly, creating space between Josh and me.

Josh frowned. "You okay?"

I nodded. Barely.

Across the room, Zane was still watching. Still burning holes into my skin. His jaw clenched, one hand fisted in his pocket while the other held a drink he clearly wasn't drinking. He didn't move. He didn't need to. The warning in his eyes was enough. he was talking with sam. but his eyes were on me.

"Jesus," Josh muttered, following my gaze. "You weren't kidding. That guy's intense."

"Don't poke the bear," I said quietly.

Josh raised his hands in surrender. "Noted."

Before I could process anything else, someone else approached-Dave, Sam's fiancé. He was already tipsy, tie loose, but his smile was warm and real.

"Oh, look who it is. Man of the hour!" I yelled over the music.

"Hey, Suzanne," he said, offering a quick hug. "Glad you came."

"Wouldn't miss it."

He hesitated, then rubbed the back of his neck. "Listen, I didn't plan to bring this up tonight, but I figured I'd say something. You're my fiancée's best friend. And I really like you. So I... I should apologize on his be-"

I cut him off. "That's unnecessary. We're cool," I said, still trying to keep the smile on my face. apologizing on his behalf was way gone.

He looked relieved. "Also... it's not my place, but I think you should know-"

I cut him off again. My smile dropped. no way

"Dave," I said flatly. "It doesn't matter anymore."

His brows drew together. "It does to him. you guys didn't even talk"

"What? It shouldn't," I snapped. "He chose it. And honestly, I don't want to talk about it. it wouldn't make a difference."

He nodded, sensing the wall I threw up. "Fair enough. Just... don't hold it all in, okay?"

well you're making it hard

He left to rejoin Sam, and I was left with the thumping music and the familiar ache in my chest.

What no one knew-what he didn't know-was that it wasn't just a fight. It wasn't just a breakup. we were done. for real. that's why I didn't try to figure out why he left. his reasoning didn't matter. and I know there is noting healthy about it. when your 3 years love of your life walk's away, you try to get a hold of him, ask him why? tell him we will figure it out __whatever it is.......but not me. I was broken long before Zane

It was my mother. My toxic, manipulative, broken mother. that build me in this fucked up way. And the way Zane had handled it? The way he'd walked away when I needed him most?

That was something I couldn't forgive.

not tonight. tonight I will get out of my mind.

Tonight, I will drink. I will dance. And I would pretend I didn't feel his stare up on me like a brand.

Back on the dance floor, Josh spun me into his arms again. "You sure you want to keep acting like he's not there?"

"Yes," I lied.

But Zane didn't like being ignored. That much was clear.

Half an hour later, I was laughing too loud, clinking glasses with strangers, and pretending the heat on the back of my neck wasn't from him. But when I saw him again, he was closer. Watching from the edge of the floor now.

Silent. Still. Possessive.

Josh wrapped an arm around my waist again, and that's when it happened.

Zane moved.

He didn't rush. He didn't storm across the floor. He stalked. Like a man who'd waited long enough. And had enough.

By the time he reached us, the music faded around me. All I could hear was my heartbeat and the low growl of his voice-Rough. Deep. Hot enough to melt my spine.

"Let's talk." it wasn't a question. it was an order

Josh didn't move.

"She's busy," he said, eyes narrowing.

I stepped between them. "It's fine."

Josh looked at me, surprised. "You sure?"

"I got this," I said.Not sure if I was lying again.

Zane said nothing until we were out of the lounge, in a quieter hallway lined with gold-accented wallpaper and soft lights.

"You look good," he said.

"Save it." I snapped

His jaw clenched. "You were about to kiss him."

I crossed my arms. "That's none of your business." I said frowning.

"Everything about you is my business. and he should be thankful. he didn't "

My heart skipped. D*mn you, you fragile, stupid heart. I tried so hard to keep it together.

I laughed, not recognizing the voice that came out of me. "Funny. Because I was there, remember? you chose this" i couldnt read his eyes. what is going on? is he saying he wants me back?

He took a step closer. "Don't do that. Don't act like I didn't care."

"Don't get closer to me," I warned, my voice cracking.

"And I'm not acting," I added. "I know you didn't."

His hands went to his hair, pushing it back in frustration. I loved that dark hair. it felt good when... "You have no idea what I went through after you-"

My thoughts got interrupted

Was he serious?

"Don't," I cut in. "Don't make this about you."

He stared at me, eyes wild. "It was never about me. It was always you, Suzanne. you don't get it. it isn't something I could help"

My heart twisted. "Help? You left."

The silence that fell between us was heavier than any argument.

"I couldn't..." he started, voice low. "Your mom... she-"

"Stop," I said sharply. "Just stop. You don't get to bring her into this. Not now. Not ever. you know she might be the worst person in my life. but she was there. for better or worse "

He exhaled, eyes flickering with something I couldn't read. for a moment I thought I saw hurt in his eyes.

Then I turned on my heel.

I didn't want to hear it. Not tonight. Not when the past was clawing at my skin and the future was dragging me to Italy.

Behind me, I heard his voice one last time.

"If I gave you that impression... I apologize. But am not done with you"

I didn't look back.

I walked faster. Burning.