Finding You

chapter 58

"Savannah Boltris and Ethan Harley!"

There are bursts of applause and cheering. Our table is pure happiness. Max is hollering at the top of his lungs and Savannah is in tears. Ethan is grinning from ear to ear.

"I knew you'd get it!" I say. She smiles through her happy tears and gets up to embrace me in a hug.

"This is a dream come true."

The two of them go to the center and receive their crown and tiara. They pause for pictures and I can't explain the joy I have for my best friend.

"I'm so glad she won," I tell Zay. "This has been her dream for forever."

"Someone else's dream to it looks like." He points over at Lola who is in tears too, and not the happy ones. I almost feel bad for her until I remember how rude she is to people all the time. At the same time, a dream getting crushed has to feel awful.

I turn my attention back to Savannah and Ethan. A crowd is forming with people congratulating them. The buzz of applause dies down and is then replaced with some slower dance music. Everyone with a significant other jumps up at this moment, and everyone who was just here for the crazy dancing settles by the bar and tables.

I turn to Zay but before I can say anything Roman starts to talk. "Zay, do you mind if I share a dance with Amber?"

Zay gives him a hard look. "Sorry man. No offense but I'd like to have the slow dances for us."

He stands up and takes my hand. "Shall we?"

He drags me away before I can apologize to Roman, who we leave looking deflated.

When we get to the dance floor I frown at Zay. "One dance wouldn't hurt. I mean come on he even had the respect to ask you. I thought you were pals now."

"I still don't like the way he looks at you. But I really just wanted to get a dance in with you."

I realize what he means by that. It's nearing the time he has to go. I look down at the floor as my excitement turns into something much lower.

"Come here angel."

He pulls me in be my waist and pulls my arms to him. I lay my head on his chest and try to distract myself in anyway possible. I take a deep breath in and notice his cologne.

"You wearing a different cologne?"

His body shakes when he chuckles. "Wasn't sure if you'd notice. Yeah, I bought it the day we got our suits. You like it?"

"It's different from your normal, but it doesn't smell bad.

"To me you always smell the same. Your scent is constant and sweet." He rubs my back and brings his voice lower to whisper in my ear. "I'll miss that."

"I wish you didn't have to go."

"Me too. But it's not my choice. You'll be okay tho. There will be people here watching for your safety and-,"

"But you won't be here."

He stops and looks at me sadly. "I know."

He kisses my forehead and brings my head back to his chest, stroking my hair. Our conversation fades, and we just sway with soothing music. He holds me tight for every second and I feel utterly and completely whole. He leans back at one point and we dance looking into each other's eyes for a while. The intimacy is intense and full, and it breaks me to think of anything else.

A new song comes on, and I don't know what it is, but the melody stings through my heart and brings up all of my feelings.

I remember the first time we talked, the first day he told me who he was, our date in the woods, all the nights we shared together. After tonight, there won't be anymore, he'll be gone.

"When do you have to leave?" I ask the question that's been searing through my mind all night.

"It's past the time I should have left. I'm stalling, I want to spend every last second with you."

Tears are clawing at the back of my eyes but I fight them. Instead I stand on my toes and plant a kiss on his lips.

We start off slowly, a kiss only meant to say the words we dare not say. It grows in passion with every passing moment and I never want it to stop.

A chill goes through my body. I open my eyes a split second before Zay does. I know that feeling. Zay is getting a mind link. And by the way his whole body stops moving and his eyes start to seep pain, I know what's about to happen.

"No," I whisper.