Emily’s POV
"You clean up nice," Dad said with a grin as he leaned on the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. "He better know how lucky he is."
I gave a small smile, smoothing down the navy blue satin of my dress for the hundredth time. "Thanks, Dad. I’ll be back before midnight."
"Midnight? That sounds more like a suggestion than a rule," he teased.
"It's a rule, I promise," I laughed just as the honk of a car pulled both our heads toward the window.
Dad stepped aside and gave me a mock salute. "Go knock 'em dead, sweetheart."
I walked out, heart fluttering in my chest as I stepped into the night and saw Adam leaning casually against his car. He looked too good for his own good—black suit, open collar, confident smirk. I was suddenly grateful for the cool air; I needed it to steady the excitement bubbling in me.
"Wow," he said, eyes scanning me from head to toe. "You’re… stunning."
"You don’t look so bad yourself," I replied, slipping into the passenger seat.
We drove to his school—the venue for their prom—talking about random things, laughing like we didn’t have a care in the world. My school’s prom was next week, and I couldn’t wait. I’d get to show him off just like he was doing tonight.
When we got to the venue, I instantly realized I knew almost no one. The crowd was buzzing, flashes of sequins and tuxedos, music pulsing in the background, students chatting, laughing, flirting everywhere. It was fun but overwhelming.
Adam took my hand and pulled me closer. "Let’s find some familiar faces."
It didn’t take long to spot Luca, dressed in a sleek gray suit, beaming beside his boyfriend—Jeremy, if I remembered correctly. Jeremy was from Adam’s school, so I wasn’t surprised they showed up together.
"Hey, hey!" Luca called out, waving us over. "Don’t you both look disgustingly perfect tonight."
"I try," Adam grinned and exchanged a fist bump with Jeremy.
"You clean up well, Em," Luca said, his smile softening as he looked at me.
"Thanks," I replied, glad he was here.
Adam tugged at my hand. "Come on, I want you to meet the guys."
We walked across the hall and he introduced me to his group. There was Steve—tall, goofy grin, seemed like the funny guy. Maxwell—slicked-back hair, probably too smooth for his own good. And a couple of others whose names slipped past me in the chaos.
"So this is the girl who got Adam all serious," Steve joked, raising a brow.
"Guilty," I replied with a small smirk.
"He won’t shut up about you," Maxwell added.
Adam gave them both a warning glance, and I giggled.
"Let’s dance," he whispered and led me to the center of the floor.
We danced like the world was ours. His arms around me, the music vibrating through the floor, his breath warm against my neck. It was like floating. We talked about everything—summer plans, movies we wanted to watch, my school prom next week. Then we kissed, slow and sweet, and I felt like the only girl in the world.
Then, suddenly, he touched my belly. Not in a creepy way, more like a gentle graze that made me shiver.
"Still there?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.
I raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
"Just checking if the tattoo’s still there," he said with a mischievous grin. "Can’t wait till we’re back at my apartment. I’m going to devour you, starting right here."
My breath caught in my throat and I smacked his arm playfully, cheeks flaming. "You’re impossible."
He laughed, eyes twinkling, but then his phone beeped. He pulled it out and frowned slightly. "Give me a sec, babe. I’ll be right back."
I nodded, watching him disappear into the crowd.
Minutes passed.
I glanced around, suddenly feeling alone among strangers. The music was still going strong, people laughing and dancing, but I felt off.
I drifted toward the bar area where Steve, Maxwell, and a couple of their friends were hanging out, drinks in hand.
"She’s hot," one of them said. "Did you see that dress? Adam hit the jackpot."
"She seemed like a good girl," Maxwell replied.
"Yeah," Steve chimed in. "Hope Adam isn’t betting on her like he did with Susan."
My heart stopped.
My ears rang. Did I hear that right?
I took a step back, then another, the edges of my vision starting to blur.
No. No, no, no.
I turned and pushed through the crowd, my heels clicking too loud on the floor. I needed to find him. I needed to hear it from him. Because if there was even a small chance that this—us—was some kind of game to him, I didn’t know if I could handle it.
Not after everything.
I searched everywhere, the dance floor, the hallway, even outside by the parking lot. Nothing. My chest tightened.
Then I spotted the bathrooms. I didn’t think. I just moved.
The first stall? Empty.
The second? Nothing.
I kicked open the third and fourth, ignoring the weird looks from a couple of guys who exited the urinals.
And then the last one at the far end. I didn’t knock. I didn’t hesitate as I kicked it open, and I saw Adam and Tammy.
His hands on her waist. Her hands in his hair, with their lips enjoined.
My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the floor, the cold tiles pressing against my skin, my heart cracking in places I didn’t even know existed.
Everything went silent.