"Well, what about coming with me, lady?" Vaughn asked, offering me his hand. "We can continue celebrating your freedom somewhere much better."
I smiled up at him. "Sure."
I took Vaughn's hand and we walked right past them, leaving Brandon frozen in place.
We stepped out into the cool night air and walked toward Vaughn's sleek black sports car.
I was just about to reach for the passenger door handle when heavy, furious footsteps approached from behind.
A strong hand clamped down on my wrist, yanking me back so hard I crashed into a solid chest.
Brandon pulled me close, his fingers digging into my skin.
His eyes were blazing with a dark, terrifying possessiveness as he glared at Vaughn over my head.
"No," Brandon snarled, his voice vibrating with rage. "You're mine. You're not coming with him."
I let out a loud, genuine laugh, staring at the hand gripping my wrist. I shook my head, looking up at his furious face.
“I’m not yours,” I said, pulling my arm. His grip was like iron. “In fact, I don’t even know you.”
Brandon’s expression darkened. Before he could snap, Vaughn stepped between us, effortlessly breaking Brandon’s hold.
“Yeah, she’s my date tonight,” Vaughn said, his tone light but his gaze sharp. He placed a hand on the small of my back. “Do you have a problem with that, Brandon?”
Brandon’s hands curled into fists. He opened his mouth, fully prepared to cause a massive scene right there on the pavement.
But then, a piercing scream echoed from inside the lounge.
“Brandon!” Paula shrieked.
Brandon froze. The possessive rage in his eyes vanished, instantly replaced by panic. Without throwing a single backward glance in my direction, he turned and sprinted back inside to his precious first love.
I stood on the sidewalk and laughed. It was a hollow sound, but it felt incredibly freeing. He couldn't even pretend to care about me for a full minute.
“Well,” Vaughn murmured, opening the passenger door of his sports car. “Shall we?”
I slid into the plush leather seat. As Vaughn drove us away, the city blurred past the windows.
“Hmm, interesting,” Vaughn said, breaking the silence. He tapped the steering wheel, glancing at me with a playful smirk. “I know of him, obviously, but I don’t know who his girl is. Are you really not his girl?”
I leaned my head against the cool window. “I’m no one’s.”
Vaughn chuckled, a deep, rich sound. “Is that so? Maybe you should be my girl, then.”