Page 65 of The Roommate Experiment

That becomes easier said than done when Dylan and Olivia reappear in my peripheral. She laughs at something he says, the sound so perfectly melodic, birds might harmonize in response.

They navigate through the crowd, heading straight toward us, and panic rises in my throat. I duck behind Nina as if her petite frame could shield me from this impending interaction, but it’s too late. Dylan spots his sister and smiles, his grin widening as his eyes land on me, hiding behind Nina’s skirt like a child.

I force myself to meet his gaze, even as the surrounding air thickens, amplifying my discomfort.

“Hey.” He tilts his head.

I step out from behind Nina, smoothing my dress and trying to hold myself together. “Hey.”

The fun ease I felt in the car with him a short hour ago now has traveled a galaxy away.

Olivia turns to me, her smile dazzling and her amber eyes kind. “Hunter, it’s wonderful to see you again. I’m sorry for my dramatic exit the other night; I didn’t mean to be rude.”

I nod, mumbling a half-greeting, half-apology in return, unable to match her enthusiasm. Rowena joins us shortly afterward, and Dylan promptly introduces his girlfriend.

Olivia steps forward, her movements graceful and poised. “Congratulations,” she gushes, her eyes sweeping over Rowena. “You look stunning. That dress is divine.”

Rowena beams, accepting the compliment with a polite smile.

Adrian arrives next, looking a bit like an overeager puppy dog as he slides by Rowena’s side. He greets us and introduces himself to Olivia.

I guessLivvieis now officially part of our group.I want to die.

As the small talk continues, I do my best to fade into the background, to become an invisible spectator to their effortless interactions. Rowena catches my eye, her gaze probing, as if to gauge my reaction to seeing Dylan with Olivia.

I avert my eyes, wondering if my friends have picked up on my carefully guarded secret.

Too soon, Adrian whisks Rowena away to greet other guests, leaving me stranded again with Nina, Tristan, Dylan, and Olivia.

I search my surroundings for an escape route. The garden buzzes with energy as servers glide by, offering champagne flutes and canapés to the well-dressed crowd. Getting a little buzzed could be a way out of my current misery. But after last night’s overindulgence, the mere thought of alcohol makes my stomach churn. I concentrate on the food instead, plucking a tiny quiche from a passing tray.

If I keep my mouth full, I won’t have to join in the conversation and interact with the happy couple. I resort to tracking every move they make. How Dylan grabs a glass of champagne for her. The way Olivia’s hand brushes against his arm, a casual touch that screams intimacy. From that innocent gesture, my mind spirals, conjuring images of them together in private moments, their bodies intertwined, skin against skin. The jealousy that courses through me is toxic, a poison that threatens to consume me from the inside out.

I can’t stand it anymore. I have to escape, to put some distance between myself and them.

“Excuse me,” I mumble. “I need to make a quick call.”

It’s a lame pretext, and I don’t wait for a response. I turn on my heel and walk away, not sure where I’m going. Anywhere is better than here.

As the evening progresses, I drift through the party like a ghost, keeping my distance from Dylan and Olivia. But no matter where I go, they are everywhere.

At sunset, the speeches begin, and I welcome the distraction, listening as Adrian talks about how lucky he feels to have Rowena in his life. His voice is steady, filled with a sincerity that surprises me, even though I know the engagement is a sham. Rowena joins Adrian on stage and, seemingly overwhelmed with emotion, she grabs the microphone and simply says, “What he just said.”

The crowd bursts into applause, while I wonder if they’re still faking it. I see the way Rowena looks at Adrian as if a switch has been flipped. Maybe love can sneak up on you like that when you least expect it.

Then the crowd chants for a kiss, and I lean toward the stage, waiting to see what they’ll do. Rowena hesitates, but then she gives Adrian a tiny nod. He leans in and presses his lips to hers, and the cheer that arises around them is deafening.

I watch, frozen, as they kiss again, this time with more urgency, more fire. Something twists inside me—a mix of hope, jealousy, longing, and despair. Even though this isn’t real for them, it looks authentic enough. If that’s fake kissing, I’d take a fake kiss with Dylan any day.

After the speeches, dinner is announced, and the guests gather at the elegantly set tables indoors. I end up seated next to Dylan and Olivia, because of course. When it rains, it pours.

The food is exquisite—a spread of gourmet dishes that would normally have my mouth watering—but tonight, I hardly focus on my plate.

The conversation flows around me. I attempt to engage, but all I want to do is escape someplace where I can breathe again.

By the time dessert is served, I’m emotionally spent, each interaction chipping away at my soul. The sweetness of the cake tastes cruel against the bitterness gnawing inside me.

I try to shake off the heaviness as the band starts to play. Guests drift toward the dance floor, and I debate whether to join them or sneak away. My decision is made for me when Nina appears by my side, linking our arms and pulling me onto the floor.

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