Page 144 of Fame & Rhythm

I nod, keeping my head down as the waiters bring out the first course. It looks incredible, like everything always does, but I can barely manage a few small bites. My fork moves more than I actually eat.

My attention keeps drifting back to Aston.

He’s laughing, really laughing, at something Chad says, his whole face lighting up in a way I know too well. Their table is loud, relaxed, easy.

Ours is quieter. Family.

Mum, Dad, Ella, Uncle Hux, Caleb, Macy, Nanny, Grandma, Granddaddy. It should feel comforting. It usually does. Seeing everyone together like this is rare, and I know Mum loves it, especially with her parents here. Dad’s the same with Nanny, he barely leaves her side when she visits, like he’s making up for lost time. Even Uncle Hux seems lighter when she’s around.

But none of it sticks.

Because every time I glance up, I see him.

And then it happens.

Aston slips his arm around Amber’s shoulders, pulling her in close like it’s the most natural thing in the world. He leans down, pressing a kiss to her head.

My stomach drops.

He used to do that to me.

Now I’m stuck watching him do it to someone else.

Someone I can’t stand.

No.

I push back from the table and stand. No one notices because they’re all too caught up in conversation, but I stay there for a moment, frozen, staring.

Amber turns toward him, smiling, and leans in to kiss him.

My hand flies to my mouth as a quiet gasp slips out, the pain sharp and immediate, like something tearing straight through me.

I can’t do this.

I can’t sit here and pretend I’m okay.

I need to get out of here.

Now.

I take one last look at Aston, and this time his eyes find mine.

A spark hits me instantly, sharp and familiar, and for a second, it feels like everything we were is still there. But as I hold his gaze, something’s missing. That glimmer he always had when he looked at me… it’s gone.

My chest tightens.

My eyes fill, and he frowns, brows pulling together like he doesn’t understand what he’s seeing. Amber says something to him, and just like that, he looks away.

The connection snaps.

I turn and run from the gazebo, tears spilling over again as I head straight back to the willow tree.

This time, there’s no doubt left.

He’s gone.

I felt it, that spark, but his eyes told a different story. And the way he looked away… that said everything.