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“Knew you got close to her,” Brandon continues. “Haven’t seen you this spaced out in ages.”

“Drop it, it’s complicated.”

Brandon frowns at my tone, but Elijah shoots him a warning look.

I stay quiet, picking at the label on my bottle.

“I’ll be there with Serena. She said it would be good for the upcoming deal,” Sebastian says.

“I’m working on convincing Naomi to be my date,” Brandon says.

“I’ll believe that when I see it,” Elijah says.

Sebastian nods in agreement. “She always turns you down, mate.”

“You’ll see.”

“I’ll be there, too.” Because wherever Mary is, I won’t be far away.

I lay down my cards, revealing a flush.

“Damn it. How do you keep doing this?” Brandon tosses his cards down in defeat.

“Just lucky, I guess.”

Elijah studies me from across the table.

Sebastian drains the last of his beer. “I need some fresh air. Anyone want to join?”

“I’ll come,” I rise from my seat.

Brandon is still focused on gathering the discarded cards into a pile, muttering under his breath.

“Better luck next time.” Elijah claps Brandon on the shoulder as Sebastian and I head for the balcony.

Sebastian leans against the railing, watching the night sky. “Crazy how time flies, isn’t it? Feels like just yesterday we were all at college.”

I make a noncommittal sound of agreement. College was a lifetime ago when my infatuation with Mary first took hold. So much has changed since then, but my feelings for her remain as hopeless as ever. I close my eyes, picturing her face and those eyes that haunt my dreams.

“You’ve been awfully quiet about Mary tonight. I’m surprised Bran didn’t give you more shit about it.”

“There’s nothing to say.”

“If you say so.”

“You know, I thought I was over her.” A rueful smile plays on his lips. “But the idea of her being here, so close… it’s messing with my head.”

I understand all too well the turmoil of being close but still far away. “Have you considered talking to her? Clearing the air?”

Sebastian scoffs. “She’d probably just use me again.”

“You don’t know that. Maybe she feels the same way as you.”

He looks at me skeptically. “You think so?”

I shrug. “Only one way to find out.”

“Maybe if you follow your own advice, I will.”

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