A grin, the kind she thought was long gone the minute she left high school, spread across her face when he returned her sentiment. Her lips, painted the perfect shade of mauve, parted in a bright, unguarded smile. She looked at him, her unconventional friend, and for a moment, she let herself feel itâthe hint of warmth in her chest that she tried not to admit was there. She hadnât said those words for them to be returned, but hearing them? It felt good. But sheâd blame it on the vodka. It was easier that way.
It was nice, though, to hear that someone appreciated being around herânot for her connections or what she could do for them, but simply because they appearently liked her. She didnât want to think about it too much. Not now, not ever. But damn, it seemed like the list of genuine people in her life was shrinking every year. So she held onto this small moment, his quiet offering of a distraction, his promise of a good night, the perfect escape from the spiral of thoughts that so often dragged her under.
The grimace on her face when she tasted the terrible flavor of his offering quickly shifted into a grin. A teasing one this time. She stepped closer, her finger poking his chest with mock accusation. âYou knew what you were getting into when you kept replying to my texts. I think you like it when I get under your skin. Though, Iâll admit, itâs hardly a challenge if anyone can do it. I might need to step up my game so Iâm not just going to become some forgettable blip on your list of annoying people.â She dug her finger in a little deeper before pulling back, tapping the digit to her chin like she was in deep thought. âMaybe Iâll figure it out when weâre floating in space.â
And as if on cue, she didnât have to wait long. She watched Adamâs pupils dilate just before she felt itâthe hum in her veins, the low electric buzz that spread through her body like wildfire. It was delicious. And just like that, all the weight of her worries seemed to lift, like they were nothing more than feathers caught in the breeze. The strobe lights blurred into fairy lights, and her mind syncs with the pulsing beat of the bass drifting through the crowd.
Swaying, not from the alcohol but from the sheer bliss of the moment, she raised her arms above her head, as if the music itself was something tangible, coaxing her to play. After a few moments, riding that wave of sensation, her attention shifted back to Adam. He was smilingâgenuinely, effortlesslyâand the tension that had once been there seemed gone, just like hers.
When her arms lowered, Adam took her hands in his. The sensation of his skin against hers sent a shiver through her. Chloe let her fingertips move across his skin, feeling the ridges on the inside of his palms, wondering why they were so soft. She wanted to ask him, but before she could form the words, his large hand fully encapsulated hers and pulled her deeper into the crowd.
âWe canâtâŠâ she started, but a soft giggle bubbled up before she could finish. Neither of them were dancersânot in the way people were supposed to be at clubsâbut tonight, the buzz in her body had other plans. She moved without thinking, without caring what anyone might think. If she looked ridiculous in his eyes, she didnât care. Her body craved the rhythm, the movement, the way the music made her feel like she was floating. She stayed close to Adam, letting the music guide her, twirling and spinning, lost in the bliss of the moment, unbothered by the world outside of it.