Part 1Mine to Claim

I had been in love with Addison Vartan for ten years. The moment I found out he loved my sister, I gave up.

That night, he was blind drunk. My first instinct was to call my sister.

He snatched my phone and threw it out the window. “Still trying to push me away?” he murmured, his voice a low growl.

“You’ve gotten bold, kid.”

…

After the world tilted on its axis, I told him, “Don’t worry. We’re both adults. I don’t expect you to take responsibility.”

Addison’s eyes darkened. He pulled me into his arms. “Maybe not. But I need you to take responsibility for me.”

* * *

Addison Vartan came back the day before my birthday.

I went to meet him, my heart soaring.

I was a step too late.

I saw him with my sister, Aurora, wrapped in an embrace.

My childhood friend, Leo, sighed beside me. “I need to tell you something. You should probably brace yourself.”

“What?” My gaze was glued to Addison. It had been so long. He’d gotten even more handsome. Aurora was saying something to him; he just listened, his expression coolly detached, occasionally nodding or murmuring a quiet assent.

“Your sister is marrying him.”

“Who?”

“Addison.”

The bouquet of roses I was holding slipped from my grasp and fell to the floor.

Addison’s head turned, his eyes finding mine across the space. His gaze lingered on my face for a moment, just as blank and unreadable as ever.

Leo grabbed my arm. “Hey, did you hear me?”

I shook him off. “Don’t talk nonsense!”

I loved Addison. My pursuit of him had always been loud, direct, and anything but a secret. My sister adored me. She would never, ever try to steal him away.

I launched myself into Addison’s arms.

He stumbled back half a step, catching me. I inhaled the faint, familiar scent of tobacco on his coat, my head swimming with delirious happiness.

“Addison, did you come back just for my birthday?”

“You’ve misunderstood.” He gently pried my arms off him, making me stand on my own two feet. “I have a temporary assignment. A business trip to the city.”

I didn’t care about that. I pressed close to him again. “Do you have time tomorrow night, then? Can you come to my birthday party?”

“Skye.” My sister’s voice was firm. She pulled at my sleeve. “Addison is very busy. Don’t be a nuisance.”

I tilted my head back, my eyes wide with hope, looking only at Addison. “Stay out of this, Aurora. I want to hear his answer.”

Our eyes met. His were sharp, a deep, impenetrable black. I couldn't read a thing. But I knew that ever since we were children, he could never bring himself to refuse me.

Except for that one thing: being his girlfriend.

As expected, Addison let out a soft sigh. “If I have time, I’ll be there.”

“Okay.” I beamed. “I’ll be waiting for you, Addison.”