***

We end up settling at a table on the back patio of the house overlooking the pool. I haven't stormed at the jerk who broke Ash's heart, thanks to Ash and Maya. They've pulled me back before I could do something reckless.

Sometimes, anger makes us take impulsive actions. I should have realized that attacking that jerk would only cause problems and embarrass Ash even more.

What could I do to him, anyway? Slap him?

I've never thought that a college party could be this big. This house is filled with so many people. Music blasts in my ear as I travel my gaze around the place.

There are many rooms upstairs, and I see some people filling in the second floor. What are they doing there?

I shift my attention back to my friends and notice that Ash looks gloomy. She tears her gaze away from her ex-boyfriend, who's making a scene on the dance floor. He's dancing wildly with his new girl. People cheer on them.

"Hey," Maya speaks to her. "Do you want to dance over there?" She gestures toward another area where people are dancing. "Let's go. I'm your date tonight. Who says that you need a guy to have fun?"

Ash chuckles even though there's still sadness in her eyes. She nods and takes Maya's hand. "Let's dance, Nevaeh."

I shake my head. "I'm staying here. I don't feel like dancing. Besides, I'm securing this table for us."

They stare at me, as though they want to make sure if I'm really okay with that.

"Please. I'm okay," I say.

I'm waiting for another person too. I'm afraid that if I move from this spot, it will be more difficult for him to find me among the crowd.

Maya and Ash give in and walk off to the dance floor.

I check my phone, but there's no sign that he has arrived. He would have told me if he had. He should be here shortly.

The last time he texted me, he was on his way here.

"Hey, you alone?" Someone's voice startles me.

I turn my head and find a guy taking a seat on the stool next to me. My whole body is suddenly on alert. I don't like the smirk on his face. He looks drunk too.

"You need a drink?" He places two bottles of beer on the table with a loud thud.

I stare at him with a lost expression, immediately remembering Dad's rules. I haven't reached my legal age to drink, anyway.

"She doesn't drink." A familiar voice interrupts.

My gaze darts to the man I've been waiting to see tonight. Huge relief washes over me as I see him standing next to me. He glares at the tipsy guy, and the guy mutters 'Shit' before walking off.

A big grin creeps on my lips.

"Flynn." I stand up, and we give each other a long hug. "It's so good to see you again."

He sits beside me and smirks. "I saw you at the entrance but then some people blocked my sight."

"You found me in the crowd and you arrived just in time." I chuckle.

I missed Flynn.

We're ten years apart, and he's like a big brother to me. My parents and his family have been close for years because they used to be neighbors.

Now, I've finally seen him again after almost a year. Flynn has been quite busy with his business events.

I notice girls turning their heads when they see Flynn, and I don't blame them. Flynn is an attractive man. He's tall and really handsome.

Flynn doesn't have any problem being my bodyguard tonight because he's been doing so since I was little. I still remember how he accompanied me to play on the swing in the playground and scared away a few boys who were trying to bully me.

"This is the first time I see you at a party," Flynn says. "I bet you didn't tell your Dad. Gorilla would go ballistic."

The nickname he gave my Dad always makes me laugh. "At least you're here," I hum.

Even though Max isn't here with me now, I don't feel as guilty as before because Flynn is here.

"Nevaeh?" someone calls.

I turn toward the source of the voice and see Kai standing across my table. He looks surprised.

"I didn't expect to see you here." He looks happy to see me.

It's nice to see him here too. I feel a lot more comfortable now because of the familiar faces in this new environment.

Kai's gaze darts toward Flynn. He eyes Flynn skeptically.

Flynn laughs, raising his hands. "Don't worry. I'm not a threat."

"He's my friend," I tell Kai. "Actually, he's like a brother to me."

Relief crosses Kai's expression. A soft chuckle leaves his lips. "Sorry, I just had a bad feeling because of what happened last time."

I know that Kai is talking about Aiden. Flynn's eyebrows raise in question.

However, the way Kai and Flynn stare at each other is nothing like what happened with Aiden. This time, I don't have to worry that they're going to kill each other.

Although Flynn and I have a huge age gap, Kai doesn't seem to see Flynn as a threat to me.

"May I ask you to dance?" Kai smiles, stretching his hand to me.

I'm taken aback. I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I don't feel like dancing with him tonight.

"I..." My mind is trying to find the right thing to say. "I don't dance. I rarely do. My feet are sore too because of these heels." I grin sheepishly.

I can see the disappointment on Kai's face, but then he gives me an understanding smile. He pulls his hand back respectfully. "That's alright."

He excuses himself and walks off. I instantly let out a sigh.

Flynn stares at me with amusement. "You lied to him," he says, knowing me too well.

I feel the guilt building up inside me. I've disappointed Kai many times, and I feel bad about it.

"Why did you do it?" Flynn asks. "You can still dance with him if you want to. I'll keep an eye on him."

I smile sadly, shaking my head as I look down at my lap. "Do you think so?"

"I have nothing bad to say about him," Flynn says, "yet," he adds.

I chuckle, looking up at him.

"But really, I can clearly see that he likes you," Flynn says matter-of-factly. "He seems like a nice guy, though. Maybe you should give him a chance."

My heart sinks at that thought because I know that I most probably won't do that.

"Do you like someone else?" Flynn's question hits me at the right spot.

I quickly look away from him, only to hear him chuckle.

"Shit. You do like someone. Bad news for gorilla, huh?" he jokes.

I stay silent.

I'm thinking hard about the question.

I do like Aiden. It dawns on me that what I've felt for him all this time is much more than adoration.

I've even allowed him to kiss me, which, however, didn't happen in the end.

I need to understand what I feel for Aiden. I know that I care about him, but it's not only because of the guilt I feel for him.

My heart not only breaks when he's in pain and soars when he's happy but also flutters whenever he's around. I don't want to be away from him because I would miss him so much, just like what happens now.

"Should I be worried about him?" Flynn's voice is now filled with concern. He frowns, noticing how deep in thought I am.

Before I can answer him, my phone rings. I take it out of my bag and see the caller.

I pick up his call, and the first thing I hear is, "He's on his way there."

It's hard for me to speak because of how shocked I am, but I have to clarify what Ashton said.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Aiden." Ashton sighs. "He's on his way to the party. He's not happy with you being there."

I freeze. I don't understand what's happening.

"I just had to warn you about this," Ashton says. "Remember, it's a college party. The place is packed with people. It's highly unlikely that no one would recognize who he is. I can't guarantee that a picture of Aiden with you won't be uploaded on the internet or social media. If you're okay with that, it's fine. But if you're worried that your family will see it, then it's another thing."

My mind immediately goes into panic mode. Ashton is right.

What if my parents see it?

I can always make up an excuse that it's a coincidence, but they'll know that I'm at a party nonetheless. That's when the interrogation starts.

Max has already sensed that I'm hiding something, and with Aiden in the picture, my family will be able to connect the dots.

All the things that have happened to me in Seattle flash back in my mind.

The incident in my apartment. Aiden's offer. Living together.

"Nevaeh?" Flynn calls. His voice is laced with curiosity.

Ashton hangs up, but I haven't even composed myself to utter a response. All I can think about is Aiden and his actions.

Why?

Why is he doing this?

A part of me knows what's going on, but it seems impossible.

This reminds me of what happened with Kai. It gives me the idea that Aiden is jealous. Yet, I can't believe it because Mr. Bennett told me that Aiden couldn't feel that anymore.

The next feeling after jealousy pops in my head.

Possessive.

I still remember what Mr. Bennett told me that day.

This feeling is very close to jealousy, but rather than swallowing the emotion inside him, Aiden would choose to act on it.

Aiden couldn't have this emotion anymore because he'd chosen to close his heart in the first place.

I remember those words. But what if it's different now?

I shut my eyes, trying to remember what Mr. Bennett explained to me.

Just like his father, Aiden is a man who wouldn't act recklessly.

Even though Aiden was in touch with his emotions, he wouldn't let his feelings overpower his thinking. If he thought that he couldn't be with the woman, he wouldn't act on his jealousy. He would only be jealous, but he wouldn't act on it.

If Aiden knew that he wouldn't give the woman what she wanted, he would let her be with another man.

If Aiden felt possessive of a woman, he knew that he could be with her. There would be no other woman but her, so he expected the same from her.

This would hurt both of them if they hadn't built enough trust for each other. This would turn into a mess.

My breath catches in my throat as Mr. Bennett's next words echo in my ears. My heart is pounding hard, I can feel it against my ribcage.

The sixth feeling is very important to Aiden.

It means that he's ready.