Page 102 of Set the Moment
Reluctantly complying, Sienna closes her eyes. I turn her body to where her back is to me and pull the small back box from my pocket. I’ve been holding onto this forweeks.
Smiling to myself, I untangle the necklace and wrap it around her neck. The singular pearl lays against her skin perfectly with its silver chain shining brightly.
“Open.”
When Sienna opens her eyes and turns to the mirror behind us, they widen a fraction.
“This is so…”
Biting my lip, I fidget with my fingers. “You like it?”
“Jace, I love it,” she says before gently cupping my cheek and kissing me.
We spend about an hour in the studio, laughing with one another until her next lesson. It’s bittersweet knowing that I have to leave her again, but the kisses she gives me makes up for it.
“I’m sorry I can’t go to your party tomorrow, but I’ll have a surprise for you! I can’t have my boyfriend go without a gift on his birthday,” she says, wrapping her arms around my neck as I sigh.
I’ve been looking forward to seeing Sienna on my birthday and the costume she decided to wear, but I understand that she has to work now.
I should just hire more people at the studio…I mean, I own it now.
That’s not a bad thought—
“Look out for your gift, babe. I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it when you see it.”
thirty-six
Jace
I’mfeelingfuckinggood;my veins thrum with energy and liquor. My skin buzzes and my stomach is warm as I dance around the top floor of Breeze, the newest addition to my parents ever flowing string of nightclubs.
Shots of colored liquor get passed around to all the people on the floor. About twenty minutes ago, I decided that if I were to be sad on my birthday, I was going to do so while being drunk as fuck.
I wish Sienna was here. I mean, I understand why she couldn’t be, but my heart yearns for her to be here next to me.
“Bro, take another shot! Let’s get you fucked up!” Braxton jeers, passing me a shot cup filled to the brim with purple liquid. My heart beats triple its normal speed as I look down at the single drink that I wanted passed around at tonight's party: The Angel.
It’s a banana rum shooter, mixed with everything to create a miniature Caribbean storm—Sienna’s favorite type of margarita.
Downing it in one go, I inhale deeply, cheering as I turn to Brax who pats my back a few times.
I cough from the impact and stumble my way back over to the table where all my friends and the team are seated. Blake and Cleo talk amongst themselves while Georgia and Denver laugh at something Alec says. I go up to Georgia, Alec, and Denver first.
Stumbling, I rest my elbow against Georgia’s shoulder, smiling droopily at my three friends.
“Happy birthday, Jace! Are you happy to be twenty?” Denver asks, smiling at me as I grin.
“I’d be happier if I had a drink right about now!” I say, shouting over the loud music as Denver hands me her cup.
I don’t think twice before downing it.
The guys make me play all types of drinking games, and I’ll admit, they’re fun as fuck. But my mind keeps wandering back to Sienna. I wonder if she’s having fun with her students.
I know she was signed up for the Halloween party at the studio. It just sucks that Halloween is also my birthday.
Heaving a sigh, I pat Alec’s shoulder and leave the table where the team is.
What does a guy have to do to get a solid drink around here? I’m getting fed up—
