The invitation sat on Amelia's fridge, a cheerful splash of color promising a pool party. She sighed, tracing the bubbly script with her finger. Across town, Liam was throwing a more low-key gathering, a whiskey tasting and a bonfire. Both were on Saturday. Saturday, the day she was planning to go shopping for a new dress. The thought sent a heat rushing through her, a prickling awareness that had nothing to do with the summer air. She grabbed a cold glass of water and drank it down quickly, the ice barely calming the sudden flush.
Later, she found herself staring at her reflection in the bedroom mirror, a sudden tension building in her chest. The casual way Liam had mentioned the bonfire, the crackle of the wood, the shared drinks… it painted a vivid picture in her mind. She ran her hands over the fabric of her t-shirt, pulling it up slightly, then letting it fall. Her breathing quickened.
She decided to try on the new dress early. It was a simple slip, the silk clinging to her curves in a way that had her heart pounding in her ears. The dress felt cool against her skin, but it did little to quell the rising heat. She pictured Liam leaning in close, smelling the bonfire smoke on her hair. A smile played on her lips, a mixture of anticipation and something else, something she couldn't quite name.