THE LAST SHOOTING STAR

t her a s

grinned.

g her gaze, lifted

The music, the laughter, the glitt

s jus

ridiculous

ould wa

step past him, and disappear in

sh

she couldn't exp

gers tw

ips p

d stop herself, the

in

ression di

smirk. No te

od as if he had already

irritated her mo

eone wasn't playing by her rules but will she

t surprise

ad let it slide. Maybe she was just different from what he expected.

t

urned

said, her voice as

canned the crowd, her eyes sea

chael calle

e edge of the dance floor. She was young, maybe in her early twenties, wit

oward her with

into her clutch, pulled out a few crisp bi

ace," she s

blinked

aid, already stepping b

stiff

maybe a sarcastic remark, maybe a cold

t expect

between Irene and Ryan. "I..

," Irene cut in smoothly. "Ju

breath, amusement f

utched her stomach, barely able to breathe. "Oh my God,

She turned on her heel, walking awa

clutching the money. She peeked up a

ignor

followed Irene's

asn'

ng he was

e that before. They chased, they cl

e corner of her eye. "Wow. I

curled sligh

yes never

u d

the crowd, unbothered, her posture carr

ps twi

rest

uckling, "that was brutal. She just

ocked on her retreating form. "She th

s realization dawned. "Wait..

't a qu

smirk d

n, you're usually so indifferent when it comes to

sing me," Ryan murmured. "She

makes it fun,

g his head with a sm

nother word, he

d. "Wait where

ok back. "To

ng again. She had never seen her brothe

y caught the attention of the one ma

Ry

man who n

nwh

the exit, the night's cold

arp eyes scanning the crowd. "

d. "It worke

d. "You alw

smoothly, stepping into the dimly lit

not thi

him a questioning glance, bu

ut throug

ng so

steps

here he was Ryan, hands in his po

ee disappointment

t

ooked

st made things

aze with the same

wered simply.

is head sligh

. “I never plan

adn't paid much attention until now. The man stood close, comfortable, as if it was second nature to

didn't

d, as if sensing the unspoken quest

rie

thing deep inside him. It was such a simple t

Ryan didn't expect him to. There was an air of quiet underst

but for some reason, the thought of Irene being close

ked it

n repeated, his

n didn't waver. "

if daring him

did

huckle, shoving his hands int

She had already turned, stepping

smirk still in place, but h

y, uninterested, just as sh

irst time in

lt chal

never walked awa

ching as Irene and Louis disapp

up beside him, a

ply, his smirk re

ith her elbow. "You just got tossed aside for

ected. "She didn't toss me aside

a long, knowing

ha

us in her tone. "Are you actually interested in h

s sister, his expr

el continued."You've always said relationsh

oment before he chuckl

s not someone you just mess

" he sai

not just some cold-hearted woman who doesn't care abo

ghtly. "And that's why

lost contact. She disappeared after our first yea

gaze darkening slightly.

"But Ryan, if this is just

was slower, more calculated. "

ead. She didn't believe him y

on something on someone h

t worri

he wasn't sure if Ryan was ch

e was s

whil

eat, arms crossed, as Louis dr