Page 11 of You. Me. Us.

. . .

The rooftop barshimmered with twinkling string lights as the lively chatter of partygoers mingled with the deep beats of the music. Hillary stepped out the door onto the roof, her hand trembling slightly by her side. When she glanced at Julius, the sight nearly took her breath away, as silly as it sounded. The ethereal glow of the lanterns cast soft shadows across his chiseled features, and he turned to her with a reassuring smile that made her heart skip a beat.

As Hillary ventured further onto the rooftop, she couldn’t help but stare in awe at the breathtaking view. She’d lived somewhere in New York her entire life and had never made it up onto a rooftop like this. Not even once living in the city the last decade. The city skyline stretched out in a dazzling display, the towering skyscrapers illuminated like glittering jewels against the inky night sky. The gentle breeze carried the faint smell of jasmine perfume and expensive champagne. They were so high she didn’t notice the heated smell of the subway or body odor, only the beautiful illusion the party seemed to cast.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she took in the sight of the glamorous celebrities mingling effortlessly, their laughterringing out like a melodic symphony. She recognized faces she had only ever seen on tv or magazine covers. Emmaline Stone, the leading lady of the moment, her red lips curled into a coy smile as she waved at Julius, lifting her glass by way of a wave. Marcus DeGrigo, the dashing action hero from the latest summer blockbuster stood nearby, his tailored-suit accentuating his broad shoulders. Then there was Miller Ruise the indie darling, their quirky fashion sense and bold makeup setting them across from the rest.

Amidst the sea of designer gowns and impeccable tuxedos, Hillary couldn’t help but know she was out of place in her simple black dress, the one she had carefully chosen from her modest selection in a hurry after giving into the temptation to text Julius just to see what his world was like. She tugged nervously at the hem, wondering if she stuck out like a sore thumb among the glitterati.

Hillary found her thoughts gravitating toward Julius, her mind in a jumble of emotions and thoughts. All coming back to the same topic, that she was an imposter. People who exuded confidence and sophistication surrounded her, while she was like a timid mouse among lions.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly, his eyes searching hers as if trying to read her mind.

Hillary nodded hesitantly. “I just...I feel out of place here,” she admitted.

“I kind of assumed you would, but I’m thrilled you took a chance, you might not believe this, but I know you belong here. More importantly, I gave you my personal number because I wanted to spend more time with you.” He glanced around. “Screw these guys, they don’t matter.”

“I think they’d disagree,” she chuckled softly.

“Yeah, well, I come because I have to. I invited you because I wanted to.”

The warmth of a blush crept up her cheeks.

He was every bit as charming as he seemed in other interviews or in his roles.

“So because of that, I’m just supposed to feel totally at ease with people who make my entire annual salary in a single hour?”

He chuckled, the smile so charming she almost wasn’t upset she just admitted how little she made.

“I know just the thing to help you relax,” Julius said, his voice was smooth as honey. “Do you trust me?”

Hillary hesitated, searching his face for any sign that he could be trustworthy given that she had just met him hours ago. Trust was a fragile thing, and she’d learned to guard it carefully. But there was something about Julius—the warmth in his gaze, the gentleness of his touch earlier, the way he guided her now—that made her want to tell him yes.

“I’m not sure,” she admitted, her voice barely audible above the music. “But I’m willing to try.”

Julius’s smile widened, and he grabbed her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “That’s all I ask.”

With a playful grin, he led her onto the dance floor where the crowd pulsed with the music. Around her, bodies swayed in rhythm to the beat of the music. As they moved through the throng of people, the energy and excitement radiating from everyone rushed through her like an electric current, seemingly setting her nerves slightly less on edge. The lights strung above cast a colorful haze, creating a dreamlike atmosphere as they danced through the night. Music filled every corner of the room, vibrating through their bones and lifting their spirits higher with each step they took on the dance floor.

The beat pulsed through her veins as they reached the center, and Julius turned to face her, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

Can I really do this?Hillary thought, her nerves fluttering like trapped butterflies in her stomach.Can I pretend I belong here with one of the most famous men of the last decade?

But as Julius began to move, his body flowing with the music, Hillary found herself caught up in his rhythm. He guided her effortlessly, his hands settling on her waist, his eyes locking on hers as if she were the most important person at the bar. The world around them faded away, and for a moment, it was just the two of them, and she was lost in his eyes.

Hillary let out a surprised laugh as Julius gave her a little twirl, her hair flying out behind her. He pulled her back in, closer this time, and she found herself pressed against his chest, his heartbeat echoing her own.

When the song ended, Julius leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear. “See? You’re a natural.”

Hillary knew a blush creeped up her neck, and she couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips. “I had a good teacher.” This wasn’t like her, to flirt or enjoy a man’s attention.

But, here she was, at a rooftop after-party with people she shouldn’t even breathe the same air as.

They danced through the next few songs, their bodies moving in sync, and her attraction to him ramping up with every second his hands touched hers. But as the crowd grew, and the music was harder to hear, Hillary’s stomach began to churn. Everywhere she looked was an expensive outfit, now only inches from her very cheap one. There were stars with their loud voices and their big personalities with no space between them.

The noise, the heat, the press of bodies—it was all too much.

Julius seemed to sense her discomfort. He leaned in close, his voice low and reassuring. “Want to take a break? Get some air?”

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