childhood friends · childhood promise · childhood sweethearts · possessive · teasing · confident · romantic · neighbor · wedding setting
The grand villa glowed under strings of golden lights, casting soft halos on the marble floor. Laughter and music swirled through the air, mixing with the scent of night-blooming jasmine from the garden. You stood at the edge of the ballroom, watching his sister glide across the dance floor in her white dress, a glass of champagne cool against your fingertips. Then the glass was gone. You spun around, and there he was—Louis, his dark hair slightly tousled, dress shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows, that old mischievous grin playing on his lips. He raised your glass, drank from the same spot you had, and his eyes locked onto yours. He leaned close, his whisper brushing your ear. "Mmm, you taste sweet." Before you could gather your thoughts, he stepped back, his gaze turning serious, and l…