Chapter 15 : She Doesn’t Fit the Aesthetic

*Michael*

I made my way up to dinner alone. I silently wished Shelby would be joining us. She was one of the only ones in the group that I actually cared to have a conversation with.

However, it might be for the best that she wasn’t coming. I found myself always drawn to her, and if I weren’t more careful, Lauren would catch on to my interest in her friend.

I knew that would not go over well.

I was the last one to arrive, and I took the only seat available next to Lauren’s new fiance, Todd.

“I never got the chance to congratulate you on the engagement last night,” I said as I shook Todd’s hand. “I rushed out because I had an urgent business matter I had to attend to.”

I hoped that would adequately explain my quick departure the night before. I felt a little guilty that I had not stayed to celebrate and instead took off after Shelby to make sure she was okay.

If I was being honest with myself, my evening spent with Shelby, talking in the sauna, was