Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Hearing my easy agreement, Luke froze and stared at me in disbelief.

"What did you say?"

"You're right. You have a girlfriend, and I have a fiancé. It really wouldn't be appropriate for us to do this kind of dare."

I let out an exaggerated, regretful sigh.

"Since we're skipping the challenge, I'll just take the penalty drink."

The moment I picked up the shot glass, Luke instinctively reached out and grabbed my wrist.

His face was dark with frustration.

"I can do the dare with you."

He practically ground the words out through his teeth.

"No need."

Under Luke's burning gaze, I shook my head gently.

"Seth might get jealous."

I turned around to look at Seth, who was watching me with a look of quiet surprise.

"That's what I used to call you, right?"

"Or did I call you honey?"

I stepped on every single one of Luke's triggers with absolute precision.

Sure enough, Luke lost his temper in the very next second. He grabbed Seth by the arm and dragged him out of the room.

Claiming I was worried, I quietly followed them.

At the end of the hallway, Luke's voice exploded with fury.

"Seth! What the hell are you doing with Nora?"

"I'm not doing anything."

Unlike Luke's frantic anger, Seth calmly straightened the sleeve Luke had tugged out of place. His voice was completely innocent.

"Isn't that how she always treated you?"

"She used to walk on eggshells just to keep you happy. Now she's just directed that care toward me instead. Her personality hasn't changed."

Seth's words hit Luke right where it hurt.

Luke gritted his teeth and inhaled sharply several times, completely unable to form a counterargument.

"Look, I'm warning you! Stay away from her! I asked you to act, not to make this real!"

"I know."

Seth maintained his faint, unfazed smile.

"You know how much I hate her."

Without interrupting them, I turned and headed back to the lounge.

When the two of them returned, they were walking shoulder to shoulder, putting on a perfect show of brotherhood.

The party remained loud and chaotic.

I ignored Lexi's provocative glares and chatted easily with the people around me.

My lively mood drew Luke's eyes toward me again and again.

Perhaps he was used to me being quiet and submissive around him. Seeing me so radiant and cheerful clearly caught him off guard.

Late into the night, the party finally wrapped up.

Seth supported my slightly tipsy frame all the way back to his penthouse.

As I sank into the soft mattress, I reached out and caught his wrist.

"Seth…"

My voice was soft and laced with alcohol, catching Seth completely off guard.

He pressed his lips together and stood frozen in place.

His cheeks held a faint flush from the wine.

I looked half-asleep on the outside, but my mind was crystal clear.

I wanted to prove something.

With a gentle tug, Seth lost his balance and caught himself with one hand beside my head, closing the distance between us in an instant.