Little Flame

CHAPTER ELEVEN: BRIANNA

The laughter and clinking of glasses grew louder as the reception carried on, the energy buzzing with the carefree charm of an evening where inhibitions were left at the door. I am near the edge of the group again, still catching my breath from earlier encounter with Zane Moretti. He'd drifted into the crowd after our conversation, but his presence lingered, like a shadow I couldn't shake.

"Bri!" Leah's familiar voice cut through my thoughts, cheerful and insistent. "Come on, we're doing truth or dare!"

I turned, spotting Leah and Sophie weaving through the guests, their expressions mischievous. Leah grabbed my hand while Sophie waved dramatically toward a semi-circle of chairs being hastily arranged in one corner of the tent.

"Truth or dare?" Brianna repeated, laughing. "What are we, twelve?"

"Nope," Sophie chimed in, flashing a grin. "We're *bored adults* trying to spice up this overly proper wedding."

Before Brianna could protest further, Leah pulled me toward the forming circle. Guests of varying ages were already settling into chairs, and I noticed Zane standing to the side, watching the scene unfold with amused curiosity.

"Get over here, Moretti!" Sophie called, gesturing toward him. "If you're as smooth as everyone says, you should be great at this!"

I groaned as Zane smirked and made his way to the circle, clearly intrigued. Of course, he'd be playing too. I suddenly wished I'd fought harder against Leah's tugging.

The game began with lighthearted questions and dares-people confessing their high school crushes or being asked to take silly selfies with strangers. I laughed more than I expected, the tension of the evening loosening as I relaxed into the group.

When it was Zane's turn, all eyes turned to him, eager for his response. Leah, always the instigator, leaned forward with a wicked grin. "Truth or dare, Mr. Moretti?"

"Dare," Zane replied smoothly, lounging back in his chair like he owned the moment.

Leah's eyes lit up. "I dare you to serenade someone in this circle with a love song. But," she added, wagging her finger, "it has to be dramatic."

Zane chuckled, shaking his head as the group erupted in laughter and cheers. Without missing a beat, he rose from his chair, turned toward me, and dropped to one knee .

My eyes widened, heat rushing to my cheeks. "Oh, no-"

"Oh, yes," he interrupted, smirking as he began to belt out a hilariously over-the-top rendition of *"Can't Take My Eyes Off You."* His voice wasn't bad-deep and smooth-but his exaggerated delivery, complete with hand gestures and an overly heartfelt gaze, had everyone doubled over in laughter.

I tried to keep my composure, but the sheer absurdity of the moment broke through my defenses. I clapped my hand over my mouth, trying to stifle my laughter, but my shoulders shook with uncontrollable giggles.

When he finished, the group erupted into applause, and Zane stood, bowing dramatically before sitting back down. His gaze lingered on me, and I shook my head, still laughing as I muttered, "You're ridiculous."

"And yet," he replied softly, so only I could hear, "you're still smiling."

MY heart skipped at his words, but before I could respond, Leah clapped her hands together. "Okay, Brianna, your turn! Truth or dare?"

I hesitated, My pulse still unsteady from Zane's performance. "Truth," I said finally, thinking it safer than a dare after what had just happened.

Leah and Sophie exchanged devilish looks before Leah asked, "If you could kiss anyone in this circle, who would it be?"

The group erupted into a chorus of oohs and whistles, and I felt the heat rise to my cheeks again. My gaze instinctively flicked to Zane for the briefest of moments, but the movement didn't escape Leah's sharp eyes.

"Uh-huh," Leah teased, pointing accusingly. "That was definitely a glance at Mr. Serenade over here!"

I groaned, covering my face with hands as laughter erupted around me. "You are *the worst,* Leah."

Zane, for his part, seemed completely unfazed, his smirk growing as he leaned slightly toward me. "I'll take that as a compliment," he said, his tone playful but undeniably confident.

The game continued, but I found it harder and harder to focus. My earlier encounter with Zane had left me shaken, but now, with his playful confidence and the way he seemed to draw every moment back to me, I couldn't deny that he'd gotten under my skin.

And as much as I wanted to, I couldn't decide if that was a bad thing.

Author's note:

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