Page 244 of Before We Were

Her grin turns wicked. "Let's see about that."

"I've had eleven years of practice," I smirk. "What's one more night?"

Then she gives me that smile—the one that stops time, that makes my chest ache with possibility. The smile I'd spend a lifetime chasing.

"Ready for this?" she asks softly. "Everyone's going to be staring."

I squeeze her hand. "Let them."

We step inside together, and the room hushes. I catch Jake's gaze—his jaw tight, eyes dark—before he looks away. The guilt twists briefly in my chest, but I made my choice. It's her. It's always been her.

I press my lips to her temple.

"No more hiding. It's you and me."

Her fingers tighten in mine, and we move forward, together at last.

CHAPTER70

MIC DROPS AND BOMBSHELLS

NORA

The hall unfoldslike a fever dream, each detail shimmering with Gatsby-esque grandeur. Art deco archways soar overhead, draped in cascading gold and black, while crystal chandeliers scatter light like falling stars. Lydia has transformed every inch into a glittering testament to excess that makes reality feel paper-thin.

The polished marble reflects hundreds of golden votives, their flames dancing across mirrored tables adorned with white orchids and gold-dusted roses. A jazz band plays from their velvet-draped platform, brass instruments gleaming like liquid gold against an enormous art deco mural that creates the illusion of a metallic cityscape reaching toward heaven.

The air is thick with champagne and designer perfume as wait staff in immaculate tuxedos weave through the crowd. The guests themselves are living art—women in gowns that ripple like precious metals, diamonds catching light at their throats, feathered headpieces blurring the line between vintage and couture. Men stand like dark pillars in perfectly tailored suits, every detail from their cufflinks to their shoes whispering old money and influence.

Nate's hand in mine is the only thing keeping me from freaking out as my eyes sweep the room, each familiar face hitting like a wave. Farrah and Connor's group notices us first, their expressions shifting into something carefully crafted. Relief flickers through me when I don't spot Evan, but it's short-lived. My mom and Lydia beam with unmistakable pride from across the room, their joy reaching through the crowd like sunlight. It should comfort me, but instead, my chest tightens as I spot Camilla and Marcus.

And then there's Jake.

The air abandons my lungs when I see him with Ollie, his signature smirk replaced by raw devastation. His fingers strangle an empty glass as he signals for another, jaw clenched tight enough to shatter. Ollie watches him with worried eyes, and guilt crashes through me. I'm holding the weapon that broke him.

Nate feels my grip tighten, leaning close with quiet certainty. "I'll talk to him."

"No," I whisper, the word catching like thorns. "Let me."

He hesitates before nodding, his hand lingering in mine for one more heartbeat before letting go.

The night stretches endlessly, conversations swirling around me like smoke, but Jake haunts the edges of my awareness. His absence feels more present than his being here. I should have told him before tonight, should have explained before he had to watch me walk in with Nate's hand in mine.

When I finally can't bear it anymore, I find him at the bar, his eyes sharp enough to draw blood despite their glassy sheen.

"Dance with me," I offer softly, hand extended like a white flag. He looks ready to refuse until I whisper, "Please." The word hangs between us like the last thread of something precious breaking.

On the dance floor, the space between us feels dense with everything unsaid. Before I can find the right words, he breaks the silence, his voice laced with bitter wine and harder truths.

"So. You and Nate. You're a thing now?"

"I should've told you??—"

"Why?" His laugh holds no warmth. "Keeping Jake in the dark seems to be the running theme around here." He pulls me closer, my chin resting on his shoulder, a move I realize is so he doesn't have to look at me. Over his shoulder, I catch Nate watching us, his expression mirroring my guilt.

"I just…" Jake's voice drops to something raw and honest that breaks my heart. "I wish you'd chosen me for once."

The words shatter against my skin.

---