The club was a storm, the music was so loud, the bass hitting hard in my ribs, neon lights flashed across the dance floor, painting everything in pink, green, blue. People were everywhere—pressed close, laughing too loud, moving like their bodies were the only language they knew. The smell of sweat, perfume, and alcohol mixed thick in the air. I hated it already.

“Come on, loosen up!” Lola screamed in my ear, pull at my arm. Her curls bounced as she grinned at me, already moving with the beat.

“I’m trying!” I yelled back, though even I knew my voice didn’t sound convincing.

The music hit harder, swallowing my words, making my chest ache.

Lola grabbed both my hands and spun me into the crowd. Strangers brushed against me—hot skin, damp clothes, a woman’s hair smacking my shoulder as she twirled past. I tried to follow Lola’s lead, to sway my hips, raise my arms, pretend for two minutes that I belonged here.

But my body felt stiff, like every move was borrowed. After a few songs, my heart was racing for the wrong reason. My chest was too tight, my throat dry. My smile slipped.

I leaned close to her ear. “I need a break, going to the bar.”

She pouted, still raising her hands in the air. “Fine! But don’t disappear! I’ll find you later, promise.”

Then she danced off, disappearing into the flashing lights and noise.

I pushed through the crowd, saying sorry everytime someone’s shoulders hit mine, ignoring the sticky floor under my shoes. The heat clung to my skin. My hair stuck to the back of my neck. By the time I reached the bar, I was already breathless.

Sliding onto an empty stool, I wiped my palms on my dress. The bartender set a drink down before I could even ask. A whiskey. Strong, amber, waiting.

I wrapped my fingers around the glass. My hand was still shaking, but I brought it to my lips anyway.

The first swallow burned all the way down, hot and sharp. I welcomed it. I wanted it to burn, to cut through the ache in my chest.

I took another sip. The edges of the room softened, the tight feeling in my chest eased a little.

I wasn’t drunk, just lighter and careless.

And then I felt it -eyes on me.

It felt like the air changed, heavier somehow. My skin tingled before I even turned my head.

And then I saw him.

He leaned against the bar a few feet away, glass in hand, his suit jacket opened like the night belonged to him.

Tall, his broad shoulders filled the shirt like it was made for him. A sharp jaw caught the glow of the lights, and his dark eyes locked on me— steady, unreadable which made my stomach flipped and heat rushed through me.

I blinked. But I didn’t look away.

He tilted his head, lips curving the slightest bit. “You don’t look like you’re enjoying yourself.”

His voice cut through the music, low and smooth, like it wasn’t asking a question, it was like pulling me into a game.

I raised my glass, forcing a smile. “Neither do you.”

His smirk deepened, slow and dangerous, like he already knew he had me hooked. “Maybe that’s why we noticed each other.”

The heat crawled up my neck before I could stop it. The music, the whiskey, his stare. It all wrapped around me like a dare.

And for the first time that night, I didn’t want to run.