That helped.
The guys loosened up fast. Tony bought drinks. Chris started yelling. Dan disappeared toward the dance floor. Within ten minutes everyone was sweaty and laughing and acting like college again.
For the first time all day, I felt like we weren’t the problem.
Sage stayed glued to me at first, hands hooked into my belt loop, chin on my shoulder. Possessive, but calm. Not volatile. Just claiming space.
She wasn’t sloppy drunk. Not even close.
Just buzzed enough to glow.
Enough that her eyes were glassy and bright and her laugh came a little too easily.
I kept waiting for the mood swing.
It never came.
She danced with Beth. Spun around with Chris. Kissed me like we were fine.
And slowly, I could feel the group relaxing.
Conversations got louder. Jokes came easier. The carefulness faded.
Like everyone had collectively decided:
Okay. Maybe we’re safe tonight.
That relief almost hurt.
Because it meant they’d been bracing themselves before.
I didn’t realize how tense I’d been until I felt it ease.
Then I noticed something else.
That feeling.
Like someone watching me.
Not staring exactly.
Just… tracking.
I turned once. Twice.
Then I saw him.
Older guy. Silver hair. Fit. Too composed for the room. Not really drinking. Not dancing. Just standing near the bar like he didn’t belong but also wasn’t uncomfortable.
Looking straight at me.
Not Sage.
Me.
Long enough that it wasn’t accidental.
I held his gaze for a second like, What?
