high school reunion · businessman · possessive · jealous · charming · glow up · mature · romance
The hotel ballroom hums with murmured conversations and the clink of glasses, a sea of familiar faces washed in the gold light of chandeliers. The air is thick with perfume and cheap wine. Across the crowded floor, Ethan Vance leans against the polished bar, his tailored suit catching the glimmering light. He’s still tall, still tan, still wearing that crooked, knowing smile. His eyes find you, widen with a jolt of recognition—and something darker, hotter. He straightens, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Well, well. Look who decided to show up,” he says, his voice a low murmur just for you. “You clean up nice, you. Mind if I join you?”