The Ashfords have always been known for throwing the best parties. I'm sure

nd cousins from London, New York, even Monaco, all gathered to celebrate the 50th anniv

ounged on the cream velvet couch, our heels off, and our hair curled to perfection. M

rey suit, tie loosened. Mum looked effortlessly as usual, wearing a high-neck

, Kimberly," Mum said, looking over her shoulde

-playful. "I'm pretending to

u'll be brillian

en and me. "You know, I barely see either of yo

teased. "You live at you

with a smil

comfortable silence

g her silk dress. "I wanted to

guess. You're planning to sne

id, then hesitated. "But... I was wonderi

rpened slightl

We've been seeing each other for a while. He's smar

t, but I felt the air

?" he re

he's studying business too. He's

e Thornes. I know that name. Weren't

r is Michael Thorne... but Adrian's dif

nd of look parents give when they're

r him?" Dad a

swered quietly. "He

hed. My fingers curled in

ne friend. One Adrian. He may stay for dinner, but he

owly and grate

p of her head as he walked out

ve finally spoken to M

ed. "Now, no mor

anted him an invite to the event, it's

e first step, little sister. W

** ** **

catching the shimmer of crystal glassware and silk gowns that dotted the open space. Elegant laughter and quiet conve

rush over me. My fingers still tingled from the keyboard. The final note of my performance for Nana and Papa Ashford still echoe

drian. Seeing him beside Gen when I played the keyboard for my grandparents made me uneasy. Still, he wasn't in the crowd. He wasn't seated beside Ge

aimed as I looked up,

mean to bump into y

s and you've ruined it, and that's the only thing I'm sad about," I sighe

following me. "Wh

et the others see me like this

e your dress, can'

e brought. You know I'm not good at fashion like the rest of my family," I sighed. "Besides, why were yo

w," he

. Plus, you were supposed to meet with my grandparents; it was a deal

left her table with your grandparents to look for you. But I bumped into you, and I'm sorry. If this is the only dress you have, we can go out

h other. "Thank you, but I don't think I wan

't know you played the keyboard,"

one thing I'm better at than everyone else i

ou're happy," he said, his

ria

," he said, his hands sof

me lately, it's more than anyone has ever given me. But you're Gen's boy

not because I care about what your sister might feel towards this, but because I care about how badly it will affect you and I

ria

his. Stop holding

ria

look away from him. Not with the way he looked at me, like I was a truth he

e said. "I've t

the softest touch, but it sent a tremor up my spine. He reached up, cupping the side of my face

sting of hesitation and all the things we weren't supposed to feel.

my firs

everything I was ne

he world came rushing b

pered, breath shaki

ld say anything,