The Fire We Started | Wildfire Series Book 2

TWENTY-SEVEN

I needed to clear my head. I needed to think. And I needed to do it away from him. It was impossible to think straight with his eyes on me.

Pushing away from the dinner table, I stood and found my balance in my heels before taking off across the ballroom. With a break between the main course and dessert, gala attendees had begun to dance. Greyson's music, now backed by strings, filled the hall, and lilting couples peddled their way about polished floors.

It would be a lie to say that I didn't intentionally sway my hips as I walked away from the table. My petty side unashamedly hoped Bren was watching, but I didn't turn around to find out.

Slipping into the bathroom, I made my way through the perfumed and over-styled occupants. I tried not to roll my eyes at the way they were fighting for a spot in front of the mirror, perfecting themselves like they were about to compete in America's Next Top Model. That or The Bachelor. Either way, tonight was clearly some kind of competition.

I hadn't thought of it that way when I'd stepped into Beau's Rover earlier, but now I couldn't help but compare myself. With her.

Storming into an empty stall, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. And then I internally scolded myself for even daring to give space for those thoughts in my head.

Don't do that, Madie.

Church-basement-girl was gorgeous, but I couldn't let her knock my confidence. I didn't have much of it to start, so I'd be damned if I let it slip away completely.

I took a few more deep breaths, and my heart rate slowed for the first time since I saw Bren walk into the hotel. The anger and sadness that I'd initially felt faded a bit, and the absence of those overwhelming emotions allowed the ache I had for him to grow.

More than anything—more than jealousy or betrayal—I missed Bren Hadaway.

After welcoming a sense of calm and gathering my confidence, I strode past all of the ANTM contestants and emerged back into the gala's fray. The beauty of it all hit me for the very first time—the dancing, the lights, the colors. The Cairdarel Hotel was dazzling, and I leaned against an ornamental pillar to appreciate it for a moment.

That is until I saw Bren laughing at something church-basement-girl had said.

Goddamnit.

Good-bye sense of calm.

"Why the long face?"

Following the voice, I glanced over to see a tall man with auburn hair leaning against an opposite pillar. Flaming eyebrows were raised as he assessed me above the rim of his wine glass.

I wasn't in the mood. "I'm sorry, do we know each other?"

He lifted one shoulder before letting it drop. "We do not. I am merely being observant. I find I am rather good at it."

Grumbling, I folded my arms across my chest and turned my attention back to Bren. As if sensing me, he looked up, his eyes searching the room. And for some reason, I sunk back into the shadows that the edges of the ballroom afforded.

"You're avoiding someone," the man next to me said.

"No shit," I muttered, looking over to him again. How he managed to keep his eyebrow so high on his goddamn forehead was beyond me.

He waved his hand in the air lazily. "I'm going to take a gander and say it is the gentleman who is now standing in the middle of the hall, spinning in circles like a well-trained dog."

My eyes instantly flew back to the center of the ballroom. The man wasn't lying; Bren was clearly looking for me now, a concerned frown on his face. I should feel bad. I really should.

"He's my boyfriend," I explained for some reason.

"Mmm." He made a noncommittal humming noise that had me turning to face him again. "Lovers' quarrel, perhaps?"

"And who are you hiding from?" I accused, ignoring the question.

"I am not hiding," the man retorted, apparently offended by the idea. A hand flew to his chest before waving out at the ballroom. "I am merely admiring from afar."

I couldn't help but laugh a bit. "Fine, then. Who are you admiring?"

He grimaced. "My...girlfriend." He nodded toward a dark-haired woman who I actually recognized from Western Civ. She was huddled with a group of other students from our class.

But his tone of voice made me frown and ask, "Why did you say it like that?"

The man gave a little roll of his eyes. "I merely find the term lacking. Your language is ridiculously ironic."

My frown deepened. "My language? You're not from around here?"

I was surprised, but only because he looked like this was exactly where he belonged, skirting the dance floor with a drink in his hand and a meddling glint in his eye. I wouldn't have been surprised if he worked here or something.

But he chuckled and said, "You could say that." Sure enough, his gaze twinkled as he took a sip of his wine.

"Your girlfriend is in my history class," I said, for some reason trying to find a way to continue the conversation. Or more accurately, trying to find a way to avoid Bren until I could figure out exactly what to say to him.

"Is she?" the man asked, raising that brow again.

"Yeah. Her name is Poppy, right?"

He nodded. "She's decided to go back to college for medical school. So here we are."

I snorted. "Why is she in a Western Civ course with a bunch of freshmen?"

His eyes crinkled in amusement. "For the hell of it, I suppose. History has been an interest of hers as of late." Then he tilted his head to the side and said, "Why, would you look at that?"

"What?" I followed the nod of his head, turning.

"Tall, dark, and handsome found you." He practically sang the words.

Bren was striding toward me, determination in his eyes. One hand casually slipped into his pocket, but the rigid pull of his mouth gave him away. He radiated tension. Bren's stare flicked tightly to the redhead beside me, who promptly chuckled lowly and murmured, "He's a jealous one."

Meanwhile, my stomach flipped as Bren walked straight to me and held out his hand. "Dance with me, Madeline."

I hesitated. The music was soft, and the lights had started to dim. The glowing ambiance and Bren's hot gaze tugged at me. But my feet wouldn't move.

"Please, Madie," Bren said pleadingly, keeping his voice low. "I need to talk to you."

"That's it. Make the man beg," the voice to my right whispered.

Bren shot an irritated look at my companion, but I couldn't help smiling. And it was with that smile that I reached out and took Bren's hand.

🤍

lol don't mind me, just plopping in cameos and urging on Bren's jealousy.
It's practically a ball; I couldn't help it.

lots of bren and madie time coming up soon, I promise.

xoxo amelie