Chapter 23: Trapped By Fate

The night flows on as food weaves around the tables in a blur. Twice I find myself running back to the comfort of the bar to calm myself. Twice I catch Allie eyeing Jasper as they become engrossed in deep conversation. By the third time, I make myself comfortable on a barstool and watch from a distance as Allie moves into my seat at the table, Jasper’s hand itching to wander. Each drink deepens the heat in my cheeks but stomps out the rage burning inside me. How could I be all the way over here just letting Jasper have all this time with Allie? I should be the one sitting that close, engrossed in pleasant conversation. My eyes should be the ones trailing over every inch of her body as my hand slides up her thigh. I nearly shatter the glass in my grip as I watch Jasper’s fingers disappear under her pink ruffles, his arm casually over her shoulders. His lips press against her ear as his whole hand completely disappears under her dress.