Chapter 53. A Farewell Dance

June POV

What the hell have I done?

“Oh, my June! I thought you said you wanted to wait till the end of the gala?” Lia beams, clutching my hands like she’s holding onto the best gossip of her life.

I blink at her, dazed. Yeah, I thought so too. I thought I’d wait. I thought I’d breathe. I thought— God, how did it happen?

Whose fault is it? We all know.

“Look how happy you made Chris,” she adds, pointing in the direction he disappeared. I catch a glimpse of him weaving through the crowd, practically glowing, his shoulders lighter than I’ve ever seen them.

I wonder where he went. To brag? To celebrate?

“Where’s Tobias?” Lia mutters, scanning the ballroom with eagle eyes. “He missed everything. I have to tell him—” She slips her hands out of mine, but I grab her back like a drowning woman clinging to a rope.

“Can… can we not tell anybody yet? Please. I’ll ask Chris not to either.” My voice is low, tight,

pleading.

Lia s