Hollow

Fifty Three | Embers

I walk to the bathroom and find him standing in front of the mirror trying to tame his hair. I take in every part of him in before dragging my eyes back to his face. His hair is styled but it still looks like he's been running his hands through it. I sigh and walk up to him, gesturing for him to scoot down. His eyes rake down my body, grinning as I fix his hair.

"How am I supposed to keep my hands off of you when you look like this?"

"You done undressing me with your eyes?"

"Not yet."

I roll my eyes and wrap my arms around his neck, kissing his pout which makes him smile instantly. I pull away and glance at my reflection one last time before making my way downstairs with Killian tagging closely behind.

"And who do we have here, Arlo?" I turn around to find an elderly couple smiling at us.

"Guys, this is Zahra." Killian introduces, placing a hand on my back. "Zahra, meet my grandparents."

"Happy birthday!" His grandmother squeals excitedly and opens her arms for a hug.

"Thank you." I grin, moving forward to accept her hug as well as her husband's.

He smiles at me before giving his grandson a look I can't decipher but Killian on the other hand, seems to have understood because he pulls me away from his grandparents, who are now chatting among themselves. I follow him through the guests, most of them being family and some close friends. We come to a group of people standing by the pool, my eyes landing on Nathan, Ibanez, Caleb then to three unknown people standing next to them.

"These are my cousins, Eniko and Heidi." He introduces and I wave awkwardly. "Heidi is Theo's fiancée."

"Wait, you were on the cover of Forbes right?" Heidi asks excitedly.

I nod nervously before pointing at her hand orned by a beautiful ring. "Congratulations on your engagement by the way."

"Aww thank you! I can't wait—"

She's cut off by Eniko who puts a hand over her mouth. "Please don't talk about the wedding, she won't shut up about it."

"You'd do the same if you were marrying the man of your dreams." Heidi replies, hugging a chuckling Theo who places a kiss the top of head.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

"Come on girl, spill." Eniko says excitedly.

Before I even open my mouth to speak, Kaia comes out of nowhere with Jas and Vienna tagging closely behind. She pulls out a chair and sits next to Eniko who hands her what looks like a pina colada.

"Okay, we're here start over." Kaia says excitedly, still standing. I shake my head, she couldn't have picked a better time.

"What were you saying?" Vienna taunts, raising a brow.

"Well, he's perfect."

"I knew it!"

"You know it's funny, the guys are talking about you too." Jas informs, picking a cupcake. "Theo started teasing Killian about you then they all started asking him a bunch of questions but Caleb kicked me out and I came here."

"Caleb, huh?" Vienna teases before cussing under her breath causing us to look at where her eyes are focused.

"Hi ladies." A girl greets as she approaches our table, earning a chorus of greetings from us. "It's good to see you, Vi."