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Why me?

“You are more beautiful than I thought you would be in that dress.”

It’s the first thing she’s said since bringing me to the dance floor. “I couldn’t let it go to waste,” I say.

“Good thing you didn’t. I was dying to see you in it.”

My hand grows clammy in hers. Am I nervous? Of course I am! This woman will probably continue to confess her love to me, and I’m expected to walk away from her!

Don’t give in, Alessa…

“You and that young lawyer of yours look awfully close.”

I tense. “Jealous, Jules?”

“Of course I am. Didn’t I say that you belong to me?”

My brows furrow. Good to know she can still get this kind of rise out of me. “I left you, Julianna. We’re not together anymore. I can date other people now.”

She sucks in her lower lip instead of telling me how she feels. “So, you are dating him?”

“Maybe. I haven’t decided yet. He certainly thinks he’s dating me, though.”

We almost bump into another, slightly drunk couple. Both men apologize before complimenting my dress and going back to their dance. At the large table at the head of the dance floor, Jordan and Ted keep a watchful eye on us. Damnit. They should be enjoying their wedding. They don’t need to be following our drama!

“Men like that only want to use you, Alessa.”

“Is that advice from a woman looking out for me, or from my jealous ex-girlfriend?”

“Consider it advice from a woman who knows that type well enough.”

Dancing with Julianna was once a huge fantasy of mine. We had danced together before, at a couple of functions full of rich people wearing their best, but those were nothing compared toa wedding. Before we broke up… I don’t want to think how many times I fantasized about dancing with her. The rapture of it would be overwhelming. Me. Her. Twirling to live jazz music in her fitted, feminine suit and my gorgeous dress. People celebrating love and happiness around us. The cheerful jabs from friends that it was only a matter of time before we got hitched too.

The sense of ownership, of possession Julianna knows how to broadcast to a whole room. I would revel in that today.

Oh, don’t get me wrong. She’s doing that. Right now.

But it’s not the same. Because I don’t belong to her anymore. I made sure of that.

This might be the last chance I ever have to be close to Julianna like this. On one hand, I should be making the most of this. On the other, she made me feel too disposable to deal with.

I drop her hand and step away.

“Alessa.”

We’re awkwardly standing amid these dancing couples. They politely look away and pretend that they don’t see us making fools of ourselves.

“I love you.”

My feet were ready to take me far away from the dance floor. I’d run up and tell the newlyweds how happy I am for them, how I hope they have a wonderful life together… and then I’d run far, far away from Julianna Marcon and the pain she leaves in my wake.

Then she said that. Suddenly, I can’t move.

“Alessa…” Julianna grabs my wrist. Her touch is hot, sweaty. “Say something.”

I finally have my bearings together. Time to run away.

I don’t look back as I leave the dance floor. I know she’s behind me. Julianna Marcon is not going to relent until I tell her to backoff, that she’s used up her third chance to get me back. She’s going to follow me as long as she can find me.