I don't know why I thought saying "we'll see" would magically fix everything. Spoiler alert: it absolutely doesn't.
Because not even twenty-four hours later, I'm standing in the middle of the worst possible place with the worst possible people at the worst possible time.
Eli's charity gala.
Yep. I agreed to come. Don't ask me how it happened. One minute, I was nodding like an idiot while he rambled about "new beginnings" and "showing the world we're solid" and "free champagne," and the next minute, I'm here—wobbling in a dress so tight I can't breathe, shoes that feel like medieval torture devices, and a smile so fake it should win an Oscar.
"Relax," Eli whispers next to me, all calm and charming, looking like a snack in his tuxedo. "You look gorgeous."
I elbow him sharply in the ribs. "If I die in these heels, I'm haunting you."
He just grins like I didn't just threaten his eternal peace. Typical.
The ballroom is packed with people who look like they drink diamonds for breakfast. Everyone's wearing something sparkly, talking about things like investments and IPOs and international shipping mergers. You know—normal first date topics.
Meanwhile, I'm just trying not to trip and land face-first into the chocolate fountain.
Eli drifts away to talk to some investor guy who looks like he eats small businesses for lunch. I'm left standing there awkwardly, trying to look interested in the art on the wall, which, if you ask me, looks like someone dropped a can of paint on the floor and called it "emotional expression."
Then, just when I think this night couldn't get worse, she walks in.
Olivia.
Of course.
Wearing a red dress so tight and shiny, it looks like she's been shrink-wrapped. Her eyes lock onto me instantly, and the smirk that curves her mouth is pure evil.
Oh no. Nope. Not doing this. I turn to head for the bar, but Olivia cuts me off with the speed and grace of a seasoned villain.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Eli's... charity case."
I blink. Smile. Tilt my head like I'm about to bark at her. "Wow. It's so good to see you embracing your inner mean girl. I was worried high school might've ended without you achieving your final form."
Her nostrils flare. Success.
"I just find it adorable that Eli's trying so hard to pretend." She steps closer, lowering her voice. "Pretend he's moved on. Pretend you're good enough."
I laugh, a little too loudly, because otherwise I'm going to scream. "And here you are, still pretending you're relevant."
Her smile freezes. Good.
But before I can truly savor my tiny, petty victory, Eli appears out of nowhere. His hand closes lightly around my waist, sending a jolt of electricity through my entire body.
"Everything okay here?" he asks, his voice dangerously polite.
"Oh, we were just having a lovely chat," I say sweetly. "Swapping beauty tips."
Olivia throws him a poisonous look. "You really think this is an upgrade?" She sweeps a hand over me like she's presenting a questionable used car.
Eli doesn't even hesitate. "I'm not looking for upgrades, Olivia. I'm looking for something real."
And just like that, the whole ballroom seems to tilt sideways.
My stomach twists, because... real. He called this real. Me and him. Whatever messy, complicated, half-broken thing we're building.
Olivia opens her mouth, but Eli's already steering me away, ignoring her completely. We walk in silence for a few seconds until we're outside on the terrace, the cool air hitting me like a slap.
I pull away from him the second we're out of sight. "What the hell was that?"
He runs a hand through his hair, frustrated. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drag you into that."
"Drag me into it?" I throw up my hands. "Eli, you didn't just drag me—you tossed me into the gladiator pit and handed me a foam sword!"
"I didn't expect her to show up!"
I snort. "Right. Because exes just accidentally show up at fancy galas all the time."
He closes his eyes like he's trying to summon patience. "I swear, Avery, I didn't invite her. I didn't even know she was still in town."
I cross my arms. "You need to get your life less messy. Immediately."
He laughs. He actually laughs. The jerk.
"What's so funny?" I demand, poking him in the chest.
"You." He smiles at me, real and open and stupidly handsome. "You're the only one who can make me feel like getting my life together sounds scarier than facing Olivia."
I want to stay mad. I do. But the way he's looking at me? Like I'm some kind of miracle he doesn't quite deserve?
Yeah. I'm doomed.
Still, I can't make it easy for him. Where's the fun in that?
I lean closer, pretending to inspect his tuxedo like I'm judging it. "You have, like, three more disasters before I start billing you by the hour for emotional damages."
He grins. "Deal."
And for a moment, standing there under the stars, everything feels... almost okay.
Almost.
Because something's coming. I can feel it. Like the air before a thunderstorm, thick and heavy with the promise of chaos.
And somehow, I just know—we're nowhere near done yet.
Olivia isn't finished. And Eli's past? Yeah, it's about to catch up with him... with Avery right in the middle.