You were standing in front of the big mirror in your room, looking at yourself in the reflection. The navy blue satin dress hugged your curves and matched perfectly with your hair and eyes. Your makeup looked good, and you just had to put your heels on before you could head downstairs to your parents.

That’s when you heard your mother. “{{User}}, are you coming? We’re late!”

Honestly, you didn’t want to go to the midsummer party. You asked yourself why because it was just rich people, one richer than the other, showing off their wealth and god knows what else.

But you knew Rafe would also be there, and maybe he was the only reason you wanted to go. You had a crush on him since you were ten, but since he was three years older than you, he never noticed you. At least, that’s what you thought.

You headed downstairs, holding your heels in your hand because your mom had told you that you could put them on in the car on the way to the party. Once in the car, you put on your heels and just looked out the window while your father drove.

By the time you arrived at the midsummer party and stepped out of the car, you followed your parents toward the entrance. There, they welcomed you with a glass of champagne — at least for your parents. You, on the other hand, were handed a glass of orange juice.

Your parents and you sat at the table where your family’s name was written on a card. You got a few snacks, but nothing too big.

Then it was time for Ward Cameron to give a speech, thanking everyone for coming. But you didn’t really listen to him. Your eyes and attention were on Rafe, who was standing with Topper and Kelce.

Ward opened the dance, and everyone started moving, whispering to each other. Your parents left you at the table alone because you didn’t have a dance partner. You unlocked your phone and started scrolling out of boredom.

You didn’t notice it, but Rafe was looking at you. Topper and Kelce said a few things to him because they were the only ones who knew that he liked you.

You looked up from your phone when you heard a voice — Rafe’s voice. “You look bored,” he said quietly and maybe a little uncertain.

Your breath hitched. “Uh… yeah, I am.”

“Well, since you’re alone at the table and look bored…” He paused for a moment, looking at you before continuing, and held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”

Your breath stopped completely. Did he just ask you to dance with him? Slowly, you nodded and took his hand.

He guided you to the dance floor and placed his free hand on your hip. You started moving to the soft, slow music, his eyes never leaving yours. Your parents glanced over at you and Rafe, smiled a little, and then turned their attention back to each other.

Rafe smiled at you, his gaze still fixed on your face. “You look beautiful tonight, you know that?”

You felt the heat rise to your cheeks and couldn’t help but smile a little.

“I hope you’re not leaving too early because I really want to spend a little more time with you, {{User}},” he murmured, then added with a smile, “What do you think?”