Whispered Desires

Chapter 3

Ariel had no idea how much time had passed since she’d spoken to Tristan. Emily had dragged her deeper into the party, pulling her along through a crowd of laughing strangers and familiar faces. Yet, no matter how far she wandered from the patio, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Tristan’s gaze was still with her, lingering in the back of her mind.

The party was in full swing—music blasting from the speakers, people crowded around the kitchen island, and red solo cups littering the tables. Ariel stood near the punch bowl, idly stirring her drink with a plastic straw, trying to distract herself from the strange tension that still lingered. She hadn’t been this uncomfortable in a long time.

“You good?” Emily asked, appearing at her side with a mischievous grin. “You’ve been acting weird ever since you saw Tristan.”

Ariel froze for a split second. “I’m fine. Just... not used to being around so many people.”

Emily raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Uh-huh. Sure. That’s all.”

Ariel sighed. “Look, it’s just... I haven’t seen him in years. It’s kind of... weird, you know?”

Emily’s grin widened. “Weird good, or weird bad?”

Ariel didn’t answer right away. Her mind was still replaying the way Tristan had looked at her—his gaze intense, focused, like he was seeing something more than just the old friend he’d left behind. She shook her head to push the thought away.

“Whatever. I’m fine. Let’s just get out of here,” Ariel said, not wanting to dive deeper into the conversation.

Emily took a long sip from her cup before throwing her arm around Ariel’s shoulders. “Alright, let’s go find you a distraction.”

Ariel’s heart skipped when she spotted Tristan across the room again. He was talking to a few guys near the window, but the moment their eyes met, she felt that same pull, the magnetic connection that she couldn’t ignore. He gave her a subtle nod, almost as if acknowledging their shared moment earlier.

“Damn,” Emily muttered under her breath, nudging Ariel. “He’s looking at you.”

Ariel immediately looked away, not sure how to feel. She was pretty sure Emily hadn’t missed the way Tristan had locked eyes with her, but she wasn’t prepared for the intense feeling that shot through her. It was like every nerve in her body suddenly came alive. She forced herself to focus on the conversation with Emily, doing her best not to let her mind wander back to Tristan.

“Come on,” Emily urged, dragging her to the back of the house. “Let’s grab a seat. It’s getting packed in here.”

They found an empty spot on the couch, tucked away in a corner, where the noise from the party seemed to fade just a little. Ariel tried to relax, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the guy across the room. Tristan was laughing at something, his head tilted back slightly, showing off his strong jawline and the way his hair fell just perfectly.

Ariel couldn’t help it—she had to look at him again. Her eyes slid over the crowd, landing on him once more. His gaze met hers immediately. The intensity of his stare sent a shiver down her spine.

Before she could look away, he was making his way toward her. He moved through the crowd with effortless ease, his tall frame parting people like they were nothing. Every step he took seemed deliberate, like he was on a mission.

Ariel’s heart started to race. What was happening? Why was he walking toward her like this?

“Hey,” Tristan said casually as he reached the couch, his voice low and smooth, like he had all the time in the world. “Mind if I join you?”

Ariel’s mind went blank for a second. She glanced at Emily, who was watching with a curious grin. “Uh, sure. Go ahead.”

Tristan lowered himself onto the couch next to her, not too close, but close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him. He leaned back against the cushions, one arm resting along the back of the couch, his fingers brushing against the top of Ariel’s shoulder. It was such a subtle move, but Ariel felt it like a spark of electricity.

“Nice party,” he said, his voice almost sarcastic. “A little loud for my taste, though.”

Ariel smiled awkwardly, unsure what to say. “Yeah, definitely not my scene either.”

Tristan chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I could tell. You looked like you were about to bolt as soon as you walked in.”

She rolled her eyes, feeling the heat rush to her cheeks. “I wasn’t going to bolt. I just... wasn’t expecting it to be so... overwhelming.”

His smile softened, and for a moment, the noise of the party seemed to fade. It was just the two of them sitting there, talking like no time had passed, like they hadn’t grown into completely different people. He looked at her with that same intensity, his gaze sweeping over her face like he was trying to figure her out.

“You know,” Tristan said slowly, “I’ve missed this. Talking to you, I mean.”

Ariel’s heart skipped again, and she wasn’t sure if she was imagining it, but she could have sworn there was something deeper behind his words. Something more. She looked at him, her breath catching in her throat.

“Missed what?” she asked, her voice quieter than usual.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he shifted just a little closer, his leg brushing against hers. His fingers curled slightly, as if he wanted to reach for her hand but was waiting for her to make the first move. Ariel felt a wave of heat wash over her, the proximity making her pulse quicken.

“You,” he said simply, his voice dropping lower. “I’ve missed you.”

The words hung in the air between them, and Ariel felt something shift—something undeniable. It wasn’t just the casual flirtation she’d known from the past. It was different now. More intense. She couldn’t explain why, but she felt her guard slowly lowering.

Before she could respond, Emily leaned in, her voice cutting through the moment. “Okay, you two are definitely having a moment. I’ll be right back.”

Tristan smirked, his gaze still locked on Ariel. “I’ll be here.”

Ariel watched as Emily wandered off, leaving the two of them alone. She was hyper-aware of every inch of space between them. The chemistry was undeniable, and the fact that they were sitting there, alone, in the middle of a crowded party, made it all the more exciting.

“Are you sure you missed me?” Ariel asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Tristan’s grin widened, and he leaned in just slightly, his breath warm against her ear. “Definitely.”