Page 1 of Be My First

Prologue

Four Years Ago

Ispot him across theroom. He’s dragging his eyes up and down my body. He doesn’t recognize me. He’d never check me out like that if he recognized me. We haven't seen each other in person in years. I’ve changed a lot since he’s seen me last - grown up.

As I walk his direction, the party hums around me. Everything else falls out of focus but him.

“Hi,” he says once I reach him. I take a sip of my drink - a sparkling water. I'm not old enough to drink anything else, but he doesn’t know that.

“Hey,” I say.

He studies my face for a moment like he’s trying to place me and then he says, “What’s a beautiful woman like you doing alone at a party like this?”

“I didn’t come alone,” I say.

His eyebrow arches. “Oh.”

I take another sip of my drink, looking at him through my eyelashes. “Not like that. I came with some people, but they are...”

I let my voice trail off as I look around. Where is Eli? My brother has been breathing down my neck since I came out to visit him, keeping me from having any fun. I’m shocked he let me out of his sight at this party.

“Didyoucome alone?” I ask.

He smirks. “I did.”

I lean forward and say, “It’s your place. You didn’t come at all.”

His eyes twinkle. “So you know who I am?”

I put my hand on my hip. “Bode, did you think I just crashed your party?”

He laughs. “Yes.”

I pout.

“But I wasn’t upset,” he adds.

“You know...” The DJ turns up the music so loud it’s impossible to hear anything else.

“What?”He looks around annoyed and then grabs my arm. I follow him away from the dancing and crowds to a little darkened corner around the side of the house.

He exhales heavily. “There. What were you saying?”

I set my drink down on a table nearby. “I don’t even remember.”

He leans against the wall, drinking me in with his eyes. My body lights up under his gaze. Men don’t look at me like this very often. They don’t get the chance before one of my brothers jumps in.

Like Eli.

If he finds me.

When he finds me.

I need to hurry.

I am returning Bode’s stare. God, he looks so sexy leaning on that wall. I’ve always liked that Bode isn’t too polished. He’s rich - stupid rich, but there’s always something a little tousled about his hair, slightly casual in his dress, approachable in his eyes. I’ve had a crush on him for years.

He has no idea.

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