Maya POV
I had been avoiding Noah since his birthday party. Avoiding him. Avoiding Alex. Avoiding all my feelings.
Because whatever had happened—or almost happened—outside that night under the stars with Noah… it had shaken me. More than I wanted to admit.
So I shut it down.
I went back to keeping my head down at work, smiled when I had to, avoided eye contact when I didn’t. It was easier that way. Safe.
I didn’t need drama. I didn’t need him. Not when my heart had already been twisted too many times.
But apparently, fate hated me. Because the next big office event? Mandatory attendance. And guess who I’d be sharing a ballroom with?
Yeah. Him.
“I can’t believe I let you drag me here,” I muttered to Tim as we walked into the towering ballroom lined with chandeliers and walls dripping in gold.
“You’re glowing,” he replied, ignoring me completely and fluffing my curls. “He won’t know what hit him.”
I rolled my eyes but said nothing.
My dress shimmered under the light—deep green silk that hugged all the right places. Tim had gone full stylist-mode again. And for the first time in weeks, I actually felt pretty.
Confident. In control. Or at least I did until she walked in.
Tim’s hand froze on my arm. “Oh, shit.”
“What?” I followed his gaze.
That’s when I saw Noah. In a sleek black suit, his hair perfectly styled, walking beside a woman so effortlessly beautiful it was insulting.
Her skin glowed, her smile was radiant, and her dress—blood red and backless—screamed danger.
And Noah?
He had his hand on the small of her back. My stomach twisted painfully. “Who… who is that?” I asked quietly, trying to keep my voice even.
Tim glanced at me cautiously. “That’s… Ahtisa.”
I blinked. “Ahtisa?”
He winced. “Alex’s ex. And also… kind of Noah’s ex too.”
My world tilted a little. Of course. Because why just have a love triangle when you can add an entire ex-girlfriend warzone to the mix?
I swallowed hard. “Wow.”
“You okay?” Tim asked, placing a hand on my back.
I forced a smile. “Totally. Why wouldn’t I be? It’s not like I’ve been emotionally spiraling over a man who makes me cry for fun.”
“Right,” Tim said flatly. “Silly me.”
I laughed bitterly and reached for a flute of champagne off a passing tray.
Noah hadn’t seen me yet. He was laughing at something Ahtisa whispered, leaning down slightly.
I hated how handsome he looked. I hated that he brought her. I hated that it hurt.
I mean, I had been avoiding him. Ignoring him. I had no right to feel jealous. But there it was—tight and hot and bitter in my chest.
“You know what?” I said, straightening up.
Tim raised a brow. “Oh no.”
“I’m going to dance.”
“With who?”
I looked around and spotted James—the new guy from marketing who always smiled a second too long and brought extra coffee to meetings.
Him. Perfect.
“James!” I called, walking over with a smile that felt faker than my paycheck.
He turned quickly. “Maya, hi.”
“Wanna dance?”
His smile widened. “Absolutely.”
The dance floor was bathed in golden light and filled with couples swaying to a smooth jazz number. I pulled James in with confidence I didn’t feel.
“You look amazing tonight,” he said as we started to move.
“Thanks,” I replied. “So do you.”
I laughed too loudly at his jokes. I leaned in closer than necessary. I was putting on a performance—and I knew it. But what else was I supposed to do? Watch Noah flirt with the woman he shared with his brother?
I twirled, letting the music drown my thoughts, and forced myself to focus on James’ warm hands and friendly smile.
But the moment I looked up across the room—
Noah was watching. His expression was unreadable.
But his hand was clenched around his glass so tightly that I could see the veins in his wrist from across the dance floor.
And then—
CRACK.
The glass in his hand shattered. Wine dripped down his fingers. But he didn’t flinch. He didn’t look at his hand.
He only looked at me.