Page 74 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

There was something magnetic about him, the way he seemed to understand the game without ever getting too serious. His playful banter kept me on edge, laughing as we swayed together.

“So, who are you taking home tonight?” I asked, pretending to be casual as he twirled me lightly.

Colt grinned widely. “Well, you’re obviously distracting me right now, so I’d sayyou.”

I tried to keep my composure. “Nice try, Colt. You think that’ll get you what you want?”

He smirked. “Why not? It works every time.”

Just as I felt my nerves start to go into overdrive, a familiar, quiet voice broke through.

“Mind if I cut in?”

I looked up, startled, and found Ryan standing just beside us, looking a little unsure but with his hand already reaching out to me. His eyes were guarded, and he seemed almost out of place on the dance floor, like he wasn’t sure what he was doing there.

I stepped back, and Colt released me with an exaggerated sigh.

“Can’t win them all,” he muttered before walking away.

Ryan looked at me, his expression serious. “May I have this dance, Lila?”

I nodded, trying not to read too much into the way he was looking at me. Ryan wasn’t as open as Colt or Jaxon. He was careful, reserved.

But there was something in the way he hesitated, as if he was unsure of his own feelings about me.

We danced in silence for a few moments, and I tried to keep the nervous energy from spilling over.

“How’s it feel being here, surrounded by all these people?” I asked softly, trying to break the silence. “All of them are supporting you and what you’ve done… the hero you are.”

Ryan glanced down at me, his jaw tightening.

“It’s fine,” he said with a faint smile. “Better than sitting at home, at least.”

I felt a twinge of sadness at the thought. It was hard to tell if he meant that as a general statement or something more personal, but either way, it hurt. Ryan was good at hiding what he truly felt.

We continued to move, but I couldn’t ignore the tightness in his hold. It wasn’t possessive or playful like Colt’s, and it wasn’t as distant as Jaxon’s.

It felt like he was holding back, and the longer I danced with him, the more I wanted him to stop doing that.

Finally, the song ended, and I pulled away with a smile, despite the rush of emotions swirling inside me.

“Thanks for the dance, Ryan.”

He gave me a small nod, not saying much, before he turned and walked off, leaving me feeling more confused than before.

By the time the night drew to a close, I’d danced with all three of them. Each dance felt like it was pulling me in different directions, leaving me dizzy with confusion.

What did it all mean? What didIwant? What did I need?

I didn’t have the answers, but the way my heart raced every time I saw them made me think I might be closer to understanding than I was ready to admit.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

Lila

The cool nightair felt like a slap in the face when I stepped outside, my heels clicking on the stone path that led to the garden behind the ballroom.

The soft hum of conversation and laughter still drifted from inside, but I needed a break.

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