From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 71

**Chapter 45: A Bloodline Of Vamplies**

The air was thick with tension, a palpable weight that seemed to hang around us like a storm cloud, ready to unleash its fury. Chine’s outburst had echoed through the gathering, and while it might have seemed like the moment had passed, I knew deep down that this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

She had just been denied something she had wanted with every fiber of her being, and that kind of disappointment lingers like a bitter aftertaste. The worst part? The very thing she craved had unexpectedly landed in my lap, effortlessly, as if the universe had conspired to deliver it without me having to lift a single manicured finger.

Karma and fate had clearly decided to indulge in a chaotic, drunken rendezvous, fueled by one too many tequila shots.

Across the sprawling lawn, I caught sight of Dean reemerging from the house, his bride, Chloe, trailing behind him. Miraculously, he had managed to calm the tempest that was her mood. She emerged looking lighter, her lips curved into a smile that seemed almost genuine. But I wasn’t fooled.

Her eyes, sharp and focused, found me in the crowd like heat-seeking missiles, each glare carrying enough venom to melt the very heels off my shoes. I could have sworn I counted at least six piercing looks in the span of a minute.

The music had faded into a slow R&B track, creating an atmosphere that was almost too serene for the underlying chaos. Uncle Jace was the only one still dancing, blissfully swaying his hips, oblivious to the tension that enveloped the rest of us. Everyone else stood there, pretending to mingle, but their eyes darted around, waiting for the next bomb to drop. I was no different, glancing over my shoulder, half-expecting Chloe to hurl a shoe my way in a fit of rage.

Every clink of a beer bottle sent my heart racing, and every loud laugh pulled my gaze toward Chloe, just in case she decided to embark on her second act of chaos. But to my surprise, she appeared to be in a perfectly normal mood, smiling as she playfully fed Dean grapes, who was devouring them with the enthusiasm of a grateful Labrador.

Then, a flicker of movement caught my attention. I turned to my left to see Roman striding across the lawn. His steps were smooth yet deliberate, a calculated grace that belied the tension coiling in his shoulders. As he drew nearer, I noticed the tight line of his brow and the way his jaw clenched, a subtle indication of the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.

“So, what’s next?” he asked, his voice steady as he settled into the seat beside me.

The scent of bergamot and aftershave wafted over, a blend of smooth sandalwood and dark musk mingling with the faint aroma of smoke from the barbecue. It was intoxicating, almost enough to make me forget the irritation I felt toward him for earlier events.

“Sav?” He nudged my knee gently, pulling me back to the present.

I shook my head, trying to dispel the strange thoughts that had invaded my mind. “Sorry, I was just… lost in thought.”

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