We danced longer than I realized.
Time blurred the way it always did when you are having fun. Ivy and I moved together easily, laughing, bumping shoulders, singing along to lyrics we barely knew. Sweat clung to my neck, my hair sticking to my skin, but I didn't care.
For once, she looked light.
Not guarded. Not careful. Just happy.
Eventually, Ivy leaned close so I could hear her over the music. "I need to use the bathroom."
I nodded. "Go."
She started to turn toward the main hallway, then hesitated when she saw the line snaking out from the women's restroom. Her face fell instantly.
"Absolutely not," I said, catching her wrist. "Use the VIP one."
She blinked. "The VIP section?"
"Yeah. Upstairs. It's cleaner, and you won't have to wait forever."
She laughed. "You say that like you go up there all the time."
"I've been up once or twice," I shrugged. "Trust me."
She glanced toward the stairs, then back at me. "You're not coming?"
"I'll grab us drinks," I said. "Meet me back here."
"Okay," she said, already stepping away. "Dont go anywhere".
"I won't," I promised.
I watched her weave through the crowd and head toward the stairs before turning toward the bar. It was packed, three bartenders working nonstop, glassware clinking, hands waving bills in the air.
I squeezed into an open spot and leaned against the counter, resting my elbows on the cool surface. The bartender noticed me after a moment and raised an eyebrow.
"Vodka soda," I said. "Two."
He nodded and turned away.
While I waited for my drink, I let myself relax. The music was good, so I swayed slightly where I stood, sipping when the drinks were placed in front of me, letting the bass hum through my bones.
That was when someone slid into the space beside me.
"Long night?" a man's voice said.
I glanced sideways.
He was tall. Well-groomed. Wearing a fitted button-down with the top few buttons undone like it was part of a uniform. Clean. Attractive in a way that felt almost practiced.
"Something like that," I replied, noncommittal.
He smiled, easy and confident. "You here alone?"
I lifted my glass and took a sip before answering. "No."
"Boyfriend?"
"No."
He took that as encouragement, which didn't surprise me.
"I'm Ryan," he said, leaning his elbow against the bar, angling his body toward mine. "You look like you know how to have fun." Waggling his eyebrows
I let out a small laugh. "That's a bold assumption."
He grinned. "Come on. You've been dancing since I walked in."
I shrugged. "Good music."
"Better company," he said, eyes flicking over me in a way that made my skin tighten.
I shifted slightly, creating space. "I'm actually waiting for someone."
He waved that away. "Doesn't mean we can't have fun."
I didn't answer right away, hoping the hint would land.
It didn't. Of course it didn't
"So," he continued, "what's your name?"
I hesitated, then gave him my first name. There was no reason not to. "Elaine."
"Pretty," he said. "Fits you."
"Thanks."
He ordered a drink for himself without asking, then leaned closer. "You come here often?"
"No."
"Figures," he said. "You don't look like you belong in places like this."
I raised an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to be flattering?"
He laughed. "Yeah. I mean, you seem… different."
There it was. The universal line.
I smiled politely but didn't respond
He didn't seem to notice.
"So what are you doing later?" he asked.
I glanced at my phone.
No texts from Ivy, she's been gone for a while now.
"She's probably just fixing her makeup," I told myself, even as unease stirred faintly in my chest.
"I'm heading home," I said to Ryan. "Soon."
"Maybe not alone," he said, flashing a grin.
I turned fully toward him then, meeting his gaze. "I'm not interested."
He blinked, clearly not used to that answer. "Hey, I'm just being friendly."
"I know," I said evenly. "And I'm saying no."
He chuckled, lifting his hands slightly. "Alright, alright. No need to get defensive."
I turned back toward the bar, signaling the conversation was over.
He stayed.
"You know," he said, lowering his voice, "most girls don't shut me dowm that fast."
I sighed, irritation creeping in. "I'm not most girls."