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Sebastian looks incredibly sexy in his dark mafiosi costume, which highlights his sharp, chiseled features. He keeps to the edge of the party, maintaining a distance. Seconds later, a stunning blonde dressed as Audrey Hepburn glides up beside him, her cold expression only adding to her elegance. He meets her with that signature smile of his.

I shift on my feet. “Who’s that?”

Gemma follows my gaze. “Oh, that’s Anne. She’s a friend of Sebastian’s.” She takes a sip of her drink. “You know Naomi, right? Anne’s her older sister.”

“They seem close.”

“Why? You interested?”

Heat crawls up my neck. “What? No. They don’t seem like just friends, that’s all.”

“Uhm, well. They’ve known each other since they were kids.” Gemma glances over at Sebastian and Anne, then back to me. “And a few years ago, there were some jokes about them getting married someday.”

My stomach twists. “Married?”

She shrugs. “Yeah, you know, like an arranged marriage type of thing. But it was really just a rumor to be honest. They’ve never been a couple or anything, and he never saw her like that. Not like… Well, it’s nothing.”

Arranged marriage? My eyes are glued to Sebastian and Anne, so at ease with each other. He had never mentioned anything like that. But then again… I didn’t either. So, it was probably nothing serious.

Sebastian spots me, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips as his eyes skate down my body.

I grab my drink and down the rest. “I need some air.”

Gemma frowns. “Lil, wait—”

But I’m already pushing through the crowd. Away from the sight of Sebastian with someone else.

What was I thinking? Dressing up like this for him?

Uncle Marc wouldn’t let me have any boyfriend I want.

A man in a toga bumps into me, jostling my arm. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry.”

I look up to find him staring down at me, a charming smile on his face. “It’s fine.”

“I’m Elliot.” He holds out his hand. “And you are…?”

“Lil,” I offer with a shy smile, not taking his hand.

“Nice to meet you.” He retreats his hand, his gaze traveling over my costume. “That outfit. 10 out of 10.”

“Oh, uh, I wasn’t quite sure about it,” I stammer, glancing away. As flattered as I am by the attention, my heart belongs to someone else.

My eyes search the room again for Sebastian, but he’s disappeared into the crowd, and disappointment wells in my chest. He didn’t even try to come speak with me. Maybe he’s really planning to end things.

“Why don’t we grab a drink and get to know each other better?” he asks.

This feels wrong.

“She’s not interested.” Gemma appears at my side. “Go hit on someone else.”

“Fine. My mistake. See ya.” With a polite nod, he disappears back into the crowd.

My cheeks are burning again, humiliation sinking deep into my bones. When will I learn to speak up for myself?

“Thanks for the save,” I say.

“Don’t let guys like that bother you,” Gemma says. “He’s not worth it.”

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