You threw your head back laughing at something your boyfriend Paul said. The sound mingling with the sounds of the party going on around you. The laughter was as fake as the smile you now had on your face, carefully crafted so anyone looking would think you were in love.

Love wasn’t something you felt for Paul. You felt fond of him, he made you feel safe, but you knew you’d settled. It might seem to everyone around you that you had made the right decision when you’d chosen Paul over Rafe, in your heart you would forever question the decision.

Rafe had made you feel like you were going crazy, the kind of passion you felt with him drove you to madness. No one else could undo you with just one glance. No one else had gotten so completely under your skin, to the point where you hadn’t known where he ended and you began.

You swirled the ice in your empty glass, noticing when Paul’s features hardened, knowing only Rafe had the ability to drive your boyfriend to frustration so quickly. Sure enough, Rafe was entering the room, his eyes trained on you. It was like you were his target. His blue eyes met your green ones, and you knew he could already tell that your smile was fake; that everything about your attitude was fake.

But you couldn’t tear your eyes away from him, or ignore the way his gaze made your heart flutter. He was watching you so intently, his lips curving into a smile as he approached. He crossed his arms, leaning against the counter, still appraising you.

“Aoife, need a drink?” He asked, his voice smooth like honey.

“I’ll get it for her” Paul replied immediately, glowering at Rafe. Rafe who barely seemed to notice Paul was there- all he saw was you.

“She chose me” Paul says firmly.

“Did she?” Rafe’s face slid into his trademark smirk. He was enjoying this. You could tell by the way he held your gaze, that he was enjoying unsettling you. His eyes, while playful seemed to be conveying something deeper, like he was begging you to realize it had always been him for you. That you belonged to him