Page 305 of Hateful Games

Bianca smiles and rubs one wayward tear away.

“Sorry for ruining your dessert,” sheepishly apologizes Iris.

The three of us startle when we fear footsteps approaching from behind.

Dash’s smooth voice carries to us, “Kitten?”

“I guess your one and a half hours are up,” I tease.

Bianca rolls her eyes and faces him.

“Everything okay?” His perceptive gaze observes us.

Squeezing my hand once, Bianca walks to him and embraces him with her arms around his neck. “Yes, it is. One dance?”

He cups her face, gazing so intensely and lovingly at her that I’m certain he’s forgotten Iris and I are watching. Especially when I hear him murmur, “Anything for you, Mrs. Stern.”

Iris and I linger behind as Dash leads her away.

Hooking her arm around mine, Iris intertwines our fingers and whispers, “Come on.”

The crowd has thinned as I gaze around the lush garden, sparkling with lights wrapped around tall trees. Soft and romantic music plays. A light breeze caressing and teasing my naked back. Couples embrace and dance, while others sip on drinks.

“It feels like we’ve transported into the movie Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani,” says Iris. “The night of the wedding.”

She’s perfectly described it.

My sister Jasmine is obsessed with the movie. She watched it nonstop when it released.

“The only thing missing is the song ‘Kabira’,” I sigh to Iris.

The song changes.

The hum playing in my head suddenly echoing in the air.

I smile.

“A shooting star must have passed by,” jokes Iris.

We stop near an unoccupied table and lean against it. My gaze flies to my best friend and her husband dancing in the center, lost in each other. Bianca rests her forehead on his chest, arms looped around his neck while Dash holds her close. They sway to the sweet rhythm.

“I may give Dash hell but he’s perfect for Bianca,” I murmur. “Even when she’s in the room, his eyes never stray from her. Bianca is lucky.”

“They’re both perfect for each other, Ro,” murmurs Iris.

“I envy her sometimes, you know. Even you, Iris.”

“Why?”

“Because I might never have what you both have.”

I don’t deserve it.

A shadow appears in Iris’s gaze before it disappears just as quickly. Her bubbly and mischievous smile brightens her face. “You’re blind, Ro.”

“What?” I’m taken aback.

“There’s another person who could give Dash a tough competition, though,” she replies, gaze softening.

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