Page 107 of Chasing Infinity

And that’s how I find myself wearing a perfectly tailored tux a few weeks later. I even went out last week and bought a new tie. I decided to stick with a classic black satin tie, not knowing what color dress Addison would show up in this evening.

I stand on the edges of the ballroom, leaning against the wall and holding a cup of sparkling cider in my hand. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been spiked yet, but I’m still hoping. I glance at my watch, gauging the time. I haven’t seen any sign of Addison or her dynamic duo. It’s not as if I’m early by any means, which means they’re late. I grit my teeth, trying not to think about reasons she’d be late to dance with Eli as her date. She said they were just coming as friends, but I trust Eli as much as he trusts me.

Based on his little outburst at the park, it is not very much.

Jordan and Caleb are doing as best as they can to keep me distracted, commenting on our classmates and their dress choices for the big evening. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to deter me from scanning the room every few minutes, checking to see if I’ve missed her walking in. But she’s never there.

Where is she?

I take a sip of my drink, though my throat feels there’s something lodged in it.

Then, finally, and as if out of a movie, the door opens, and she glides in. All conscious thought leaves my body as I watch her walk through those doors. She’s dressed in an emerald green gown that hugs her like a second skin. The dress accentuates her figure, wide around her torso, narrow at the waist, and flaring around her hips. I notice she’s complimented her green dress with a sparkly golden necklace which scoops just below her clavicles, resting delicately against her chest.

My mouth feels dry, as if I just tried to swallow a handful of sand. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears as I track her movements into the ballroom. She’s got her hand looped through Eli’s arm though her eyes are scanning the perimeter of the ballroom.

And then she spots me, and her eyes light up. My stomach flips like I’ve just been on a rollercoaster, and my vision tunnels until she’s the only thing I see.

I can vaguely register Jordan and Caleb saying something next to me, but I can’t decipher it. And I honestly don’t care to. Everything else around me disappears.

All that matters is her.

“Your girl looks amazing,” Jordan says under his breath, finally pulling me out of my stupor.

“Yeah,” I agree, my chest feeling tight.

“Don’t fuck it up, man.”

“I’ll try not to,” I mutter though part of me wonders if that’s possible. Given my track record, it might be a long shot.

Addison ends up staying close to Charlie and Eli for most of the evening. Dinner is served, and I sit with my friends on the other side of the room from where she is. After eating, she goes out onto the floor and dances with Charlie and Eli a few times. I keep glancing over every so often, trying to catch her when she doesn’t have her bodyguards around.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t come until the evening’s close. She’s standing over by the drinks bar when I notice Charlie turn to her and place his hand on her shoulder, leaning closer to say something. Addison nods, and then Charlie walks away, disappearing into the hallway. Not long after, Eli leaves her side too.

This is my chance. I look over to Jordan and Caleb, who give me encouraging nods. Taking a deep breath, I brace myself and walk closer to her, closing the distance between us, hopefully for the last time.

Chapter 27

Addison

Addison - Age 18

“Parks,” a deep voice murmurs. I spin around to find Noah with his hand outstretched toward me. Relief floods through my body, I was hoping he would come over here. “Dance with me?”

I take him in standing before me, appreciating how cleaned up he is. His usually unruly dark brown hair is combed back and styled neatly. He’s wearing a fitted tux with a black tie around his neck. His silver-blue eyes gaze at me, and I feelseenfor the first time all evening. Anticipation settles in my gut, and I don’t hesitate as I slide my hand in his, letting him lead me out to the dance floor. Noah spins me around so I’m facing him, his large hand snaking around to rest on the curve of my hip so he can pull me close. My arms wrap around his neck, and I trace the familiar features of his face.

“Hi,” I whisper. “You look nice.”

A smirk plays on his lips. “Yeah? Well, you lookbeautiful.” Goosebumps break out on my arms with the way his eyes travel over my body appreciatively when he says it. I can tell he means it.

“You came. I wasn’t sure if you would,” I say. Noah was upset that I wouldn’t go back on my plans with Eli. I should’ve known that he wouldn’t let something so petty deter him from doing what he wanted.

And apparently, it didn’t.

“I told you I wanted to spend tonight with you, Parks. That’s why I’m here; I definitely don’t regret it, even if it is a silly dance. You really are stunning, Addison,” he says under his breath, almost in awe.

My cheeks feel warm, and I press myself closer to him. His arms wrap tighter across my lower back. “Thank you, I’m glad someone appreciates the dress. Eli said I looked like a string bean because it’s such a deep green.”

I almost laugh because the whole thing is comical, but I don’t when Noah pulls away from me, so abruptly. His eyebrows pull together in a severe expression. He looks irritated. “Hesaidthat?”

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