The crowd surrounds him like a magnet. He laughs, jokes, embraces strangers with that effortless charm he’s always had, drawing everyone in. He belongs to the people, for the people you knew that before coming here tonight. And yet, seeing him there, giving his light to everyone but you, leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.

You try not to think too much about it. You shouldn’t be upset. Robbie has always been this way. But it’s hard to ignore the emptiness when he hasn’t even looked your way. Not when he’s too busy with anecdotes, with smiles that aren’t yours, with the easy applause of those who adore him.

You glance at him one last time, hoping that, maybe, his eyes will find you. That he will look for you. That he will remember you are there.

But he doesn’t.

And that hurts more than you’d like to admit.

With a heavy sigh, you decide to walk away. There’s no point in staying where you are unseen.

But before you can reach the door, a hand wraps around your wrist.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asks, his voice warm and slightly breathless from laughter.