LOVE AFTER BETRAYAL

ned against the railing of the hotel patio below, and the city lights were just flickering to l

s fidgeted along the edge of the railing nervous habit I couldn't shake. What if he didn't want to see me? What if

bt that decision, my p

off in thirty

quickly by a surge of excitement. My finge

hotel? I'l

was surreal: A new chapter unfolding in front of me, so different from what had been tormenting me a few days ago. B

clinking of glasses. I settled into a corner booth, the leather seat cool against my skin.

stories, and a group of tourists celebrating. Every interaction seemed to amplify my loneline

ed atmosphere. Michael was an eye-catcher, and tonight he wore a black shirt that seemed to fit his broad shoulders and athletic build, hugging the curves and righting all that was wrong. When those

whisper. I fought to keep my nerves at bay

ce leaving me continued to stare at me as if he was working at peeling a

e me. "Honestly? It's been tough." I shifted uncomfortably, my fingers tracin

oft expression on his face

I felt like I knew him. I felt like we had something special, but then finding h

ding. "It's okay to feel hurt. You

my wounded heart. "I just didn't expect it

t is to feel betrayed," he said in a very low and sincere ton

tling in. I sipped my drink, finding comfort in the burn of

"Not exactly, though my situation was different, I kn

leaned forward,

ney--well-off parents. They had plans for my future, but I wanted something e

tion for his guts. "That's brave. Most pe

s voice firm. "That's why I came to Vegas. It's cha

s. I felt a bonded moment, like a shared pain fr

asked, softening. "

en the time to consider my actual desires. "I want to feel free again," I said, the words tumbling out of my

with encouragement. "Don't be afraid to step out of your

e feeling of possibility swirling in the air b

and inviting. "Exactly. It was reckle

ugh my uncertainty. "It did. But I d

voice dropping to a husky whisper. "

d him. I saw the desire in his eyes, an invitation to further this connection. My pu

and over his. His skin was warm against mine, sending a shive

spark of something more firing

e burden of my past felt a little lighter; I was no

walls around my heart crumbled brick by brick, and with every bea

ly audibly. "I want to explore this, b

smile now spreading across his fa

lift as that spark of hope rose within me. This was my chance to

race. Michael was no longer just a bartender I had shared a wild night with but a possibility, a