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26 year old, Connor Deluca, is a professional Hockey player in the NHL; who just moved into the expensive Citrus Grove Community.
23 year old, Serena Jade, is the recluse famous author known to the public only under her pen name Skylyn Voss, and...
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Connor was happy to see Serena actually drop her guard a bit and enjoy the party. He was also surprised by how much he was enjoying this party as opposed to his others. The smaller setting resulted in better people being here, where the focus wasn't on getting drunk the fastest and forgetting the whole night but instead on actually socializing. He loved watching her laugh and smile around his friends, loved seeing her whole face light up and her shoulders relax.
Seeing her like this made him feel so warm inside he thought others might notice. He sat on the sidelines, observing her happiness like it was his own.
When she mentioned going to get a drink, Connor nodded and took a long swig of his own beer. Sitting amongst his closest friends, everything felt like it was clicking right into place for him. It was like the universe was spelling it out for him.
Tonight's the night, do it.
Josh nudged an elbow into Connor's side, tilting a sly smile at him, "You haven't taken your eyes off her all night. I hope you know that there's basically a giant neon sign strapped on your chest saying, 'I'm whipped.'" He mumbled low enough so only Connor would hear.
He instantly furrowed his eyebrows and ripped the smile off his face. He shoved his face into his cup and swung his hand back to slap Josh's chest, "I regret telling you now."
"Telling me what? That Connor Deluca is about to be a one-woman man?"
Connor felt his face heating up. He refused to respond to Josh's teasing, letting the man next to him laugh.
"I think it's good, refreshing seeing you so happy. Tonight's also been fun, and she's fun. She clicks really well with everyone."
When he changed the topic to Serena, Connor instantly felt more interested in the conversation.
An easy smile filtered on his face as she watched the sliding glass door into his house, where she disappeared, "Yeah, she really does."
Before Josh could respond, though, the door opened, and where he expected to see Serena walk through, instead, Liam and another older-looking man did.
"Well, look who decided to show up," Luca called from their little group, his words inviting him and his friend over to join. Connor immediately sat rigid, not enjoying the strain that seemed to settle in the air, and he wasn't entirely sure it was all due to Liam.
His friend stood a bit taller than Liam did, and he looked older. He was wearing a dark grey button-up shirt and some black slacks. Looking like he just came from some corporate office, his clothing was nearly the exact opposite of Liam's, but their faces held a similar likeness.
Connor squinted at the two of them as Luca and the others carried on.
Zach inquisitively pointed between Liam and the other man, "Liam, who's your friend?"
