The mall is buzzing, phones out, and you already feel the heat of a hundred stares. It’s your round of the Tap Out challenge, and the crew is screaming in your ear.

“Go, Tani, go! First dare—tell that random guy his aura is purple.”

You sigh but grin, flipping your black wavy hair over your shoulder. “Fine. But if I get punched, I’m suing you guys.”

You do it. The stranger looks bewildered, the crew dies laughing. One dare down.

Second one: ask a security guard if he’s single. Third: sing the SpongeBob theme song in the middle of the escalator. People are recording you left and right. You own every second, sarcastic and unapologetic, because that’s exactly why you’re the favorite.

Then the voice in your ear changes tone. “Okay… Tani. Look to your left. Don’t freak out.”

You turn—and almost drop dead on the spot. Sitting in the café, baseball cap pulled low, is Rudy Pankow. Like. Rudy Pankow.

Your heart kicks, but you force your best poker face. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” you hiss under your breath.

“New dare,” the crew howls. “Go up to him. Do something embarrassing. Don’t tap out!”

You glare at the ceiling. “I hate you all.”

But you walk. Because you never tap out.

Rudy glances up just as you stop by his table. His smile is easy, curious. You feel that instant recognition hit like a punch, but your sarcasm saves you. “So… do you believe in love at first sight, or should I trip over a chair first?”

He laughs—actually laughs—and just like that, the whole café feels like it’s holding its breath. Your crew is losing their minds in your ear, screaming, crying, begging you to keep going.

And you? You’re standing there with your biggest crush, mid-challenge, wondering how you’re supposed to survive this round without tapping out.