Chapter 43: You saw me, then you didn’t
Her muscles locked. Her feet stopped moving, rooted to the patio like something invisible had gripped her ankles. She didn’t even realize she was holding her breath until Craig walked away.
Only then did she exhale, and when she let it go, it felt wrong.
"Be right back," Louis said, giving her waist a quick squeeze. "I’m gonna grab us something to drink. You want the usual?"
Merlina nodded. "Thanks."
He disappeared into the crowd, leaving her alone by the poolside, her mind still stuck on the look Craig had given her. Like she was something sour he hadn’t meant to taste.
She tried to shake it off, tried to focus on the music, the laughter, the blurred silhouettes of people dancing under fairy lights strung across the backyard. But her body felt too aware, too stiff, like that one glance had rewired everything inside her.
A few minutes passed before the familiar swirl of chaos returned—Phoebe’s laughter echoing from the other end of the patio, Keith’s booming voice rising above the music. They’d spotted Craig and Adriana near the firepit, half-laughing, half-mocking each other while roasting marshmallows. Phoebe squealed and tugged Keith’s arm. "Come on, let’s go join them!"
Before Merlina could say anything, Phoebe had already looped her arm through hers. "You’re coming too," she said, dragging her across the patio.
When they reached the firepit, Adriana was the first to notice her.
"Hey, Merlina," she said, tossing her a smile as she shifted her skewer. "Didn’t know you were here too."
"Yeah," Merlina replied, returning the smile. "Just got in."