Page 4 of Poison's Promise

“Cheers to that,” I agree, downing half my drink in one go.

The alcohol warms me from the inside out, melting away the disappointment of the day.

“Come on, let’s dance!” Lila tugs me toward the living room where the real party is happening. The music pulses through my veins as we find a spot in the middle of the crowd and start to move.

Lila’s energy is contagious. She’s all hips and laughter, and soon enough, I’m matching her rhythm, losing myself in the music. It’s liberating, shaking off the weight of everything that’s been dragging me down lately.

“You’re killing it, Polly!” Lila shouts, twirling around me.

I laugh, spinning her back, my hair flying in wild waves.

“Just trying to keep up with you!” I yell back, feeling lighter than I have in weeks.

We dance through a couple more songs, my body moving on autopilot, my mind blissfully blank.

This is exactly what I needed—a night to just let go.

“Another drink?” Lila asks, leaning close so I can hear her.

“Yeah, let’s do it!” I nod, and we head back to the kitchen for a refill.

As we pour ourselves another round, a familiar song starts playing, and we both shriek in delight.

“That’s our jam!” Lila exclaims, grabbing my hand again. We rush back to the dance floor, our drinks sloshing slightly as we weave through the crowd.

Back in the thick of it, we raise our cups and sing along at the top of our lungs. For a moment, there’s nothing but the music, the lights, and the freedom of the night.

Until someone taps me on the shoulder.

“Hold on,” I say to Lila, turning around.

My smile drops the second I see who it is.

“Rachel.”

“Polly wanna cracker?” she says, her tone dripping with condescension. God, I hate that dumb nickname she gave me. It’s not even like we’re friends.

Her eyes flicker over my outfit, and I can see the judgment there. “Didn’t expect to see you here, especially dressed like that.”

“Likewise,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest.

Rachel’s never been one of my favorite people, mainly because she’s always hanging around Asher like a lost puppy.

Sure, they’ve known each other since they were small children, but I couldn’t care less.

“Having fun?” she asks, a fake smile plastered on her face.

“Actually, yeah, I am,” I say, lifting my chin defiantly. “Why? You lookin’ to ruin my night?”

“Not at all,” Rachel says, her smile turning into a smirk. “Just curious if Asher knows you’re here.”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but no, he doesn’t,” I say, my voice sharp. “Why do you care, anyway?”

“Just looking out for him,” she says with a shrug. “You know how protective I am of my friends.”

“Right,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Protective. Sure.”

More like she wants to fuck my man.

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