Grooving to Life's Beat

The Queen's Guard

The lights of The Crib Club flickered in time with the beat of the music as I made my way through the crowd. The brown dress hugging my curves just right, my bronzed skin catching the light like I'd just stepped off a private yacht in Saint Barts. At least, that was the illusion I was going for. In reality, I was anxious and as ready as I could be for Angela's birthday party, considering how last few days had played with my emotions.

I guess, no matter how much bronzer or gloss I applied, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. He was missing. I'd missed Marshall so fucking much it'd driven me insane; he had gotten right under my skin. But I guess the heart works in ways that have nothing to do with time and everything to do with intensity. He had been there only a few weeks but it seemed as though I could not rid myself of him, that my feelings had dug in deep before I knew what to do.

As I approached the VIP booth, a tight knot formed in my stomach just thinking about seeing Marshall tonight and getting lost in those piercing blue eyes of his. But I couldn't let him see how much his absence had affected me; how every moment without him felt like forever. I had to stay calm, keep it together, and pretend that seeing him tonight didn't matter at all.

Angela spotted me and welcomed me with her usual bright smile, her enthusiasm contagious as she pulled me into a hug. "You made it!" she beamed, her excitement breaking through the tension building inside me.

I hugged her back, smiling despite the confused winds raging under my skin. "Of course I did,"I managed to say, trying to sound more at ease than I really was. "I wouldn't miss your big night for anything."

Angela pulled back, her eyes widening in exaggerated appreciation as she took in my outfit. "Magda Butrym dress!" she gasped, hands flying to her face as if she were about to swoon. "That dress must have cost a fortune!"

Angela, with her glossy brown curls and bold red lipstick, was the definition of chic. She always had this energy about her, a confidence that turned heads in every room she walked into. Tonight was no different.

"Guilty!" I laughed, trying to brush off her compliment as I handed her the gift bag I'd brought. "This is for you! Happy birthday, Angela Collins."

Her eyes sparkled as she eagerly tore into the bag with her usual enthusiasm. "You spoil me, Spencer!" she grinned, digging into the tissue paper.

Before I could even respond, Angela's squeal pierced the air. "No. You. Didn't!" She pulled out the YSL bag she'd been eyeing for months, her eyes wide with disbelief. "This is too much! I can't believe you got this for me!"

"Of course, I did," I smirked. "What are best friends for if not to blow their paychecks on each other?"

"Ugh, I love you!" Angela shouted, hugging the bag to her chest like it was a precious artifact.

As she gushed over the gift, I greeted everyone else, trying to keep the smile plastered on my face. Proof was already there, his usual laid-back self, casually sipping a drink and chatting with a few others in the booth.

"Hey, Proof," I said, giving him a hug.

"Spencer, always a pleasure," Proof replied with a grin. His energy was infectious as always, and he nudged me playfully. "So, when's your book coming out?"

I laughed, rolling my eyes. "Soon. Real soon."

But while I exchanged pleasantries, my eyes were searching. Scanning the room, scanning faces. And then I saw him.

Marshall.

He was at the bar, leaning in close to some girls, his lips curling into a familiar smirk as he laughed at something they said. My stomach did a flip as I caught sight of him. His effortless charm on full display, girls practically throwing themselves at him.