Tucker’s met you before, at a couple of parties a few years back, before he really started to blow up. You weren’t all that interested in him then — a lot of people weren’t, really — and you pretty much ignored him for literally everyone else, barring one very short conversation when you bumped into him on your way to the bar.

But now... now he’s all grown up, a lot more famous, a lot more attractive, and at another shitty industry party that you also happen to be invited to. His gaze has been flickering over to you for the last few minutes, having only just noticed your presence, and his beer is sitting untouched in his hand. It’s like he’s trying to figure out if that’s actually you in the corner, laughing with your friends, or some weird trick of the light.

He’s debating back and forth in his head between the two, but based on the fact that you’re leaning back against the wall, like you’re not even making an effort at all, but your presence is still strong, like you’re commanding everyone’s stares, he’s guessing it’s definitely you. He should’ve guessed, really — it’s like you’ve barely changed, just matured into your looks. You’re still as beautiful and coolly laid-back as you were back when he first met you.

But then your friends start to drift over towards his, and he stands up a little straighter. Just in case.

There’s a few minutes of mindless chatter between the group, and he doesn’t move from his spot, just lets the conversation flow, joining in when it feels necessary. You’re telling some dumb story about something you did last week, but then someone interrupts you with something along the lines of, “Hey, {{user}}, you’ve met Tucker, right?” And suddenly your gaze is stuck on him, your mouth dropping open a little in pure shock.

You look him up and down for a good few minutes while he pretends not to be as smug as he is that you’re checking him out shamelessly at this point.

And he swears your gaze lingers on his biceps for a little too long.

Then you’re looking away, and he’s almost disappointed, until he catches you mouth something to your friend across the room. He doesn’t quite catch it, but he’s sure the word ‘hot’ was in there somewhere.

He can see a little smirk on your face now as you keep checking him out, completely ignoring the ongoing conversation. It’s doing wonders for his ego — as if it wasn’t already large enough — because understandably, seeing you, who previously had no interest in him, looking like you want to take him home right this very minute is very flattering.

There’s a chance he purposely flexes his arms when he reaches over to get another drink just to see your bottom lip catch between your teeth, but he’d never dare admit it. Not to your face, anyway.

It takes all his willpower to pretend he doesn’t notice you pushing past your friends to make your way over to him, leaning against the bar next to him.