Page 35 of The Secret Heir Next Door

As the shots arrive, the conversation flows more easily. James and his friends are friendly and engaging. We talk about work and hobbies and get rowdier with each round of drinks

“Serena,” Adrian says, his tone playful, “you mentioned you own a candy store. That sounds pretty cool. What’s the best part about it?”

“Sweets bring joy to people’s lives. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”

James raises his glass. “To candy and the people who make it.”

We clink glasses, and the next round of shots arrives. Lila and I laugh more freely, and the earlier tension from the day starts to fade away.

“So, Serena,” James says, leaning closer, “any other interesting stories from your candy store adventures?”

I hesitate for a moment, then decide to share a funny anecdote. “Well, just last week, I had a kid come in asking for a candy that doesn’t exist. He was convinced that if he found it, he’d gain superpowers.”

“That’s hilarious,” James says. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him we’re out of stock but that I’d keep an eye out for any magical candies,” I say, grinning. “He was so serious about it that I didn’t have the heart to tell him otherwise.”

The conversation continues, fun and flirtatious. Lila is clearly enjoying herself, and I’m starting to feel more relaxed.

As the night progresses, more guys come over to chat and flirt. It’s become sort of a fun party, and Lila’s even managed to get me on the dance floor a few times.

“You’re quite the attraction tonight,” Lila says, giving me a teasing look. “Looks like you’ve got a fan club.”

“We both do. It’s nice to have a distraction from everything else.”

“And speaking of distractions,” Lila says, her eyes narrowing playfully, “I think James is trying to get your attention again.”

I glance over to see James watching me with a hopeful expression. He raises his glass in a friendly toast, and I smile, feeling a twinge of excitement. The flirtation is a welcome distraction from the confusion with Logan.

The bass begins thumping through my chest again, a rhythmic pulse that syncs with the beat of my heart. Lila and I are deep in our own little world, spinning and swaying to the music. The lights flash in sync with the music, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the room.

Lila throws her head back, her dark curls bouncing as she twirls around me. Her eyes are closed, and a blissful smile is on her lips as she loses herself in the rhythm. I laugh, the sound lost in the noise of the club, but it doesn’t matter. We’re in our zone, letting the music carry us away.

I feel someone’s eyes on me, a sensation that makes warmth pool between my legs. I can’t explain it, but I know when I’m being watched. And I feel that this stare is different. It pulls my attention from the dance floor to the bar.

There aretwo guys standing at the bar, clearly having a good time. But it’s not the guy with the beer in his hand that catches my attention. It’s the one next to him, the one with the strikingblue eyes that seem to cut through the dim light of the club and pierce right into me.

Logan.

What in the hell is he doing here?

I freeze mid-motion, my breath catching in my throat. He’s here. Of all the places, of all the nights, he’s here. And he’s staring right at me. For a moment, I’m not sure what to do. The music fades into the background, my surroundings blurring as my focus narrows to just him.

The guy next to him, a tall, blond Adonis, leans in, saying something that makes Logan laugh. The sound is lost to me, but the sight of it hits me like a punch to the gut. The guy hands Logan a beer, and he takes it, his eyes still on me.

I swallow hard, suddenly feeling the urge to retreat, to get away from those eyes that bore into me with blazing heat.

I raise my hand in a small, hesitant wave. He turns around, dismissing me as if he doesn’t know me. The knot in my stomach tightens, anger bubbling up to the surface.

Asshole.

“Serena!” Lila’s voice pulls me back to reality.

She’s grinning, utterly oblivious to my inner turmoil. She grabs my hands, pulling me back into the dance, and I force myself to shake off the encounter, to let the music drown out the hurt.

“Hey, ladies!” James calls out as he makes his way toward us, a broad grin on his face. He’s holding a couple of drinks, and I can see the glint in his eye.

Adrian appears next to him, his arm slung around James’s shoulder. He’s grinning too, clearly already more than a few drinks in. “You girls are working up a thirst, thought we’d help with that.”

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