Self

Chapter 95

Shane cracked a smile. Tm chasing my dreams; don’t worry about it. One gotta try to know the outcome, right?”

Yara frowned. “Even if it ends up being a huge letdown?”

He looked at her, his eyes intense. “I’ll deal with it.”

She had not pegged him for the stubborn type and fell silent.

Shane caught the shift in her mood and did not push the conversation.

They just stood there, side by side, soaking in the rhythm of the waves until he slipped away into the night.

Later, Yara could not shake the memory of Shane’s quiet defiance.

He was always respectful and knew where to draw the line. His approach was never pushy or reckless, and he was always careful not to bug her too much.

He was not like Yale. That guy used to be all over her, and he would flip out over nothing.

Yara let out a sigh. There was no stopping some people.

She just had to stay true to herself.

A shadow caught her eye as she returned to her room–a silent figure lurking in the darkness, like something out of a ghost story.

She nearly let out a yelp.

The figure entered the light, and Yara’s eyes adjusted to recognize Yale.

“Yale, what are you doing here?!” she demanded.

Creeping around in the dead of night, silent as the grave–it was downright creepy!

Yara had bailed on the dance early, and without her, Yale seemed to lose all interest.

He had tried to follow her but came up empty.

Then there was Xandra, sticking to him like superglue, whining about being hungry

Yale was at his wit’s end, totally frazzled.

He finally flagged down a waiter to escort Xandra to the dining area.

Yale had to jump through hoops to get Yara’s room number because of the hotel’s tight–lipped policy.

He rushed over, only to find her and Shane, shoulder to shoulder, gazing out at the sea.

The sea breeze caught the hem of her white bohemian backless dress,ving a glimpse of her relaxed demeanor. Her straight hair cascaded over her shoulders, accentuating her ethereal beauty in the night.

Shane stood tall and lean, with broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist. Together, they looked like they had stepped right out of a painting.

Yale was rooted to the spot.

It was when Shane had left that Yara even noticed him.

His face was still hidden behind the masquerade mask, but there was a subtle glimmer in his eyes as they fixed on Yara. He stepped closer, and Yara’s frown deepened.

“Why did you come here? I’ve said all there’s to say, you-

Her words were cut off as her wrist was suddenly gripped with an iron strength. “Why can he get his chance and not me?” he demanded, his eyes burning.

Yara tried to pull away, but when she could not, she faced him head–on. “What are you freaking out about now?”

“Shane! I saw him here earlier, Yale said. ‘Don’t you know what kind of guy he is?”