Chapter 5
Mia
The night air is cool against my skin as we step outside onto the dimly lit patio. The wedding reception has been in full swing for hours now, but I've managed to avoid the dancing so far. It's not that I don't like it; it's just... complicated with Jake here.
As if sensing my thoughts, he looks over at me from where he's standing by the bar, holding two glasses of champagne. His eyes meet mine, and for a moment, we both hold our breath. We know exactly what we're thinking.
"Dance with me?" he asks softly, extending one hand towards me while keeping his eyes locked onto mine. I'm surprised because I thought he wouldn't do that.
It's not really a question; we both know I can't refuse him. Not when he looks at me like that, with all the longing and hunger that mirrors my own feelings.
I take his hand without a word, letting him lead me to the dance floor after he finished his drink.
The band is playing something slow and romantic—a song I don't recognize but that seems fitting for this moment.
As we find our spot among the other couples swaying together on the crowded floor, Jake pulls me close, one arm wrapping around my waist while his other hand takes mine in a gentle hold.
I rest my head against his chest even though I know it's a mistake, listening to the steady beat of his heart as we move together.
I should've put up a fight and said no, but now it's too late for that.
It feels so right being this close to him, like finally finding that missing piece I never knew was gone until now. It's not the first time we are doing this, but it still feels like that to me.
His warmth surrounds me, and I can't help but melt into it, allowing myself to forget about everything else for just a little while.
As we dance, Jake's hand moves slowly up and down my back, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through me with each touch.
It's been so long since anyone held me like this—since anyone made me feel wanted, desired, seen.
With every passing moment, it becomes harder to keep fighting against the truth.
But even as I lose myself in his embrace, there's a tiny voice in the back of my mind whispering warnings, reminding me that we're playing with fire here. This is dangerous territory—territory that could destroy our friendship and hurt my brother if we're not careful.
But to be honest, it's about time my brother accepted that I'm an adult and can take care of myself. I don't need him dictating every aspect of my life anymore.
Jake must sense my internal struggle because he pulls back slightly, tilting his head down to look at me with concern etched into his features. "What's wrong?" he asks softly, his thumb brushing gently across my cheek.
I force a small smile onto my face, shaking my head slightly. "Nothing," I lie. "Just thinking about... things."
He doesn't push the issue further, simply nodding and pulling me closer once more. We continue to sway together silently for several minutes before he speaks again.
"Mia..." He hesitates briefly before continuing, "I need you to know that I... I care about you. A lot."
My heart flutters in my chest at those words, and it takes everything in me not to blurt out the truth: That I care about him too, more than I should probably say. But instead, I simply smile up at him, pressing one hand against his cheek as we continue to dance.
At the same time, I'm frustrated. One moment he wants me, the next he says we shouldn't be doing this, and then he's right back to wanting me again. What is he even thinking?
"I know," I say quietly.
His eyes close briefly, and when they open again, there's a new intensity in them that makes my breath catch in my throat. Is he finally going to let go of his promise to my brother?
Before either of us can say anything else, however, another couple comes into view, dancing not far from us—Emma and someone else. They're laughing together, clearly enjoying each other's company, but as they get closer, Emma catches sight of Jake and me, and her smile fades somewhat.
So that's probably why I couldn't find her when I got here. She'd found someone else to accompany her.
She's a little scatterbrained, as I remember. Sometimes she just forgets things.
"Hey, guys," she greets us warily when they stop beside us on the dance floor. "Having fun?"
"Oh, hey, Emma," I respond, pulling slightly away from Jake so that we're no longer quite as close. "Yeah, it's been... interesting."
Emma raises an eyebrow at that but doesn't press for details. Instead, she turns her attention to Jake, giving him a once-over before smirking. "So, this is the infamous brother's best friend, huh?"
Jake chuckles, extending one hand towards Emma as he introduces himself. "Guilty as charged," he says with a grin. "But I promise, I'm not that bad."
Emma laughs at that, shaking his hand firmly before turning back to me. "Well, if you ever need someone to talk to about... whatever's going on here," she says, gesturing vaguely between Jake and me, "you know where to find me."
"Thanks, Emma," I say gratefully, appreciating her offer more than she knows. She's been my rock through so many breakups and heartaches—she knows exactly what to say (or not say) to make me feel better.
"You guys... you look really good together," she admits, a hint of surprise in her voice. Then, shaking her head as if clearing it, she adds, "But I just remembered something important. I met your ex earlier." She turns to me, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Spill. What happened with him tonight?"
I roll my eyes at the memory of my encounter with him earlier. "He was here, unfortunately," I say, feeling anger bubbling up inside me again just thinking about it. "With his new girlfriend."
Emma's mouth drops open in shock. "What? Here at the wedding?"
"Yep," I confirm bitterly. "And he had the audacity to ask me why I didn't try harder to keep him interested. Can you believe that?"
Jake's grip on my hand tightens at that, his jaw clenching as if he's barely holding back his own anger on my behalf. Emma, on the other hand, looks outraged.
"What a jerk!" she exclaims, shaking her head. "You deserve so much better than him, Mia."
"I know," I sigh, leaning into Jake's touch even more. "But it still stings, you know? Finding out that someone you cared about doesn't feel the same way, and then having them flaunt their new relationship in your face..."
Emma nods sympathetically, then grimaces as she speaks up again. "Well, at least you didn't have to deal with something like this," she says, gesturing vaguely towards her date. "I mean, don't get me wrong—he's nice enough. But he just... isn't my type."
"Really?" I ask, surprised. Emma hadn't mentioned anything about not being into him before now.
She shrugs helplessly. "He's great, and I like him a lot. Just not... romantically." She pauses, then adds with a small smile, "But hey, at least I get to dance with you tonight, right?"
I laugh, grateful for the moment of levity. "Right," I agree, squeezing her hand briefly before letting go.
As Emma and her date drift away to join another group of people, Jake and I find ourselves alone again on the dance floor. His hand returns to its place at my waist, pulling me close once more as we continue moving together in time with the music.
"She's right, you know," he says softly after a moment. "You do deserve better."
As we start dancing together again, I'm keenly aware of every point where our bodies touch—his strong hand on my lower back, guiding me; his other hand holding mine, fingers entwined with mine; his breath ruffling the hair at the top of my head as he rests his chin there.
It's both comforting and agonizing all at once.
Because God, I want him. More than I've ever wanted anyone before.
But wanting him means risking so much—what we already have, my brother's trust, my own heart.
And right now, standing here with him in the dim light of the dance floor, it feels like a risk worth taking.
But when we're not wrapped up in this bubble, when reality comes crashing back.
.. I don't know if I'll feel the same way.
He feels so good, so right, holding me like this.
His scent—clean and masculine—surrounds me, making my heart race even as it calms my frayed nerves from earlier.
I could stay here in his arms forever, but that's exactly what scares me.
This is supposed to be temporary, a moment out of time while we're both away from our real lives.
But the more time I spend with him, the less certain I am that I want it to remain just a moment.
And then there's my brother again. Ryan has always been overprotective, always treated me like his little sister who needs looking after.
He'd lose his mind if he knew about this—about how close I've gotten with Jake, about what I'm feeling for him right now.
But even thinking about that makes me angry.
I'm not a kid anymore; I can make my own choices, even if they're difficult ones.
◆◆◆
The drive to the hotel was silent, the surrounding air suffocating with unsaid words and lingering glances in the rearview mirror. We had to book a room because the wedding was in another city, and we knew we wouldn't be able to make it back the same day.
Now, as we step into the grand lobby, I can't help but feel a sense of unease settle over me like a weighted blanket. This place is gorgeous—too gorgeous—and it only serves to emphasize just how out of my league Jake truly is.
He moves with an effortless confidence that I can't quite match, striding up to the front desk while I hang back, clutching my overnight bag like a lifeline. I hope that the person behind the desk doesn't think we are a couple, because we aren't.