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1 Panther

FROM THE MOMENT I’d entered the convention center, where the Navy Ball was being held, I felt sick to otten into the liht of Solo watching us drive away, I knew indecision The further away I got froitated I became, but it wasn’t until we all made our way inside the lobby of the convention center that I knew there was no way I could go on pretending everything was okay That I wasn’t dying inside

As the others headed toward the main hall, I could only slink into the shadows and wait It felt like forever, but then…I saw him

Solo trailed the group of fellow trainees he’d ridden with, looking every bit as unenthusiastic as I felt about having to go inside, but daeous I couldn’t take my eyes off him His tanned skin paired perfectly with the brilliant, crisp dress whites his leanly muscled body filled out so well, and he walked with a confidence I kneasn’t faked

Look at o without me

As if I’d said the words out loud, Solo looked over his shoulder, and those whiskey-colored eyes widened slightly

Daood fro on the perfect vision he made as he walked toward me

I licked eted with the hat in my hands, and when he stopped a couple of feet away, I told hiht

“You look…really good”

“So do you” Solo tried for a sh to eat”

I kneas trying for a bit of levity, but I couldn’t ht now

“Hey,” he said, taking a step towardon? How come you’re out here instead of in there?”

“I—I can’t do this”

I could tell i way, because a shadow of fear entered his eyes

“You can’t do what?” he said

“I can’t pretend anyo in there pretending”

“Pretending…what, exactly?”

“You knohat, Mateo I can’t go in there and lie and tell people I couldn’t find a date when the person I want by ht in front of me”