Chapter 71 All Stars Are You

“When anyone else says that, I think it’s nice. But when you say it, it sounds like you’re mocking me.”

Tilda had to admit, out of everyone she’d ever known, Andy was on a level of his own. He reminded her of Jude, the king-like figure in Slosa.

He stood tall at six-foot-two, with golden curls, piercing green eyes, lips tinged red, and sickly pale skin, all wrapped in an all-black outfit. When he only lifted a finger, men and women would line up, ready to give him whatever he wanted, even their blood. They were always prepared to step up as his devoted followers. He was impossible to resist.

Andy smiled. “So, can I take that as a compliment?”

“Sure. Take it however you want. But tell me, why don’t you have bodyguards with you? Someone might drag you off any second.”

With his looks and presence, almost every woman in the bar was secretly coveting him. Even some of the men couldn’t take their eyes off him. There were barely 20 people in the bar, and more than half were focused on him.

Meanwhile, Tilda had already spotted Wade and Clive. She had noticed them the second she walked in, but honestly? She didn’t care. She didn’t have ties with the Jensons anymore. If they wanted to sit there and stare, let them. If they caused trouble in Nightingale Bar, security could throw them out. She didn’t need to steer clear of every spot the Jensons might show up. Why should she? Just because she couldn’t stand them? If anyone had to leave, it was them. And if they started drama, she’d let them embarrass themselves.

Andy’s smile grew wider. He leaned in close to Tilda, speaking in a low, playful tone that went straight to her heart. “So, Queen, do you want to fall for me?”

His golden curls and glowing green eyes shone in the soft candlelight, radiating sweetness laced with a dangerously intoxicating allure.

Tilda glanced at Andy, then tapped a finger on his red lips. “We’re way too close for that. No thanks. Andy, I like what we’ve got. We’re happy now, and it’s enough.”

Some people weren’t meant to be lovers. For them, regular friends or even best friends were the better path. Thinking about tying her future to Andy just felt empty. She couldn’t picture any real joy in it. It wasn’t that she hated the idea of love, but after what the Jensons did to her in her previous life, she only wanted to chase what felt good and worthwhile this time around. She wasn’t here to win their approval anymore. Andy could be a close friend, a partner, someone she could trust–but not a boyfriend.

“So, you’re rejecting me?” He leaned back, looking a little bitter. “That’s rough, Tilda. I do like you. Seeing you in person and realizing how much we think the same way, I like you even more now.”

“Cut it out.”

Just then, the drinks she’d ordered showed up. The waiter popped the cork, poured red wine into their glasses, bowed, and left. Tilda lifted her glass, swirling the wine slowly. “Cheers?”

Andy’s eyes never left her. Moonlight slid across her skin, and candles flickered against her delicate features. The river breeze couldn’t disturb the stillness in her deep, mysterious eyes. Even the neon glow around the bar seemed dull compared to her.

Tilda had such magic. No matter how bright the world around her was, anyone sitting with her would forget it all. She was the only thing they’d see.

Andy smirked, thinking the Jensons had to be blind. They hadn’t noticed even a fraction of her brilliance. They’d treated her like trash and stepped all over her. The thought made him laugh at them, but his heart also broke for her.

“Cheers.” Andy raised his glass and clinked gently against hers. The sound was sharp and clear. He added, “All thoughts are stars, and all stars are you.”

He sipped the wine, swirling the glass. It was a simple move, but even that looked seductive when he did it. The ones staring at him like starving wolves swallowed hard. They wished they were that glass, or even the wine inside it. Even if it meant disappearing, they wanted to be in his mouth, down his throat, and taken into his body. That was Andy’s magic. He made people lose their minds.

“Tilda, you’re like a galaxy. Once I’ve got you in my eyes, I’ll never let you go.”