Always you

Chapter 7

The evening air was warm and electric with the anticipation of the party. Sasha stood in front of the mirror, admiring her reflection. She had chosen a simple but striking black dress that hugged her curves just right, with thin straps and a deep V-neckline that gave it an air of both elegance and confidence. Her hair was loosely curled, cascading down her back, and her makeup, while understated, made her eyes pop—she felt beautiful. More than that, she felt alive.

She looked over at Sarah and Layla, both of whom were already ready. Sarah wore a shimmering gold dress that sparkled as she moved, while Layla's red dress, a more daring choice, caught the light in all the right ways. Layla had always had a way of turning heads effortlessly, and tonight was no different.

"Okay, we're all going to turn some heads tonight," Sarah said, looking between the two of them with a grin. "I'm already imagining the chaos we're about to cause."

Sasha laughed, stepping into her heels. "Chaos? I thought we were just here for fun."

"Fun can be chaotic," Layla replied with a wink. "That's why it's so great."

As the three of them made their way out to the car, the night seemed to hold endless promise. The party was being held at a lavish mansion on the outskirts of town—one of those places that was so well-kept and pristine that it almost seemed like it belonged to a different world. As they arrived, the thumping bass of music filtered through the walls, and the sound of laughter and chatter made it clear that it was going to be one of those nights that would live in memories for a long time.

They entered the party, the bright lights flashing in sync with the music. People were already mingling, dressed in glamorous outfits, dancing and talking in little groups. Sasha's heart beat a little faster. She wasn't used to this level of opulence, but there was something exhilarating about the environment.

Before they could even make it to the bar, Sarah spotted Alex and Daniel across the room and waved them over. Sasha noticed Rafe standing with them, looking effortlessly cool in a black button-down shirt that accentuated his toned frame. His blue eyes flickered over the crowd as though he were scanning for something or someone, his expression unreadable. When he saw Sarah, his lips curved into a grin, and he came over to greet them.

"Look at you three," Rafe said with a raised eyebrow, his gaze lingering on Sasha for a moment longer than it had on the others, before he smiled. "You all look amazing."

"Thanks," Sarah said, her tone playful. "You've got a good eye, Rafe."

"Yeah, but I'm pretty sure I don't need to be told that," Rafe replied with a smirk, earning a laugh from the group.

Daniel, who was standing next to him, gave Sasha a warm smile. "I'll admit, it's good to see you out, Sasha. You're looking incredible."

"Thanks, Daniel. You too," Sasha replied, smiling back. He was dressed casually, in a fitted navy blue shirt that made his eyes pop.

Sasha's gaze flickered back to Rafe, and she couldn't help but feel a slight nervousness stir in her. Her last memory of him was from the night of Sarah's sleepover when she had seen him help the drunken girl into his room. The image of them had stayed with her, and despite Rafe's charm and the connection she felt, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than what he was letting on.

Sarah, being herself, grabbed Layla's hand and announced "I think we get this party started with some dancing." She doesn't wait for a response before dragging Layla out towards the brightly lit, flashing dance floor. Layla follows obediently, not protesting one bit, as she goes whooping towards the floor, grabbing a random drink on the way.

"Dance?" Rafe asked, breaking her train of thought. His voice was low and smooth, but there was something almost teasing about it.

Sasha hesitated for a moment, her mind racing. "Uh, sure," she replied, her voice betraying none of her inner conflict. She put a smile on her face, hoping to keep things light.