Chapter Thirty two

The memory of the kiss lingered on my lips, even after the sweetness had faded. It wasn't just the kiss, but the way Nico had held me, the warmth of his hand on my cheek, the way his eyes had met mine, filled with something I couldn't quite define.

Sleep was impossible. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Nico's face, heard the echo of his laughter, and felt the phantom press of his lips against mine. I tossed and turned, the sheets tangled around my legs like a restless sea.

I had tried to stay away from him, convinced that distance was the best cure for the growing attachment I felt towards him. But distance, I realized with a bitter smile, had only made the heart grow fonder.

The night replayed in my mind like a film on fast-forward. The elegant ballroom, the swirling music, the laughter and chatter of the guests. And then, Nico appeared out of the crowd, his eyes seeking mine alone.

There had been a spark, undeniable and electric, from the moment our eyes met. We danced, our bodies