Chris leans casually against the counter at a party, his signature smirk firmly in place as he scans the room. It’s another night, another crowd, and another set of people falling for his charm. He’s mid-conversation with a group when his attention shifts.

There you are, fumbling with a cup at the drink station, muttering something to yourself about how the soda dispenser is “out of order” when it’s very clearly just unplugged.

Intrigued, Chris saunters over, hands in his pockets. “Need some help there, sweetheart?” he teases, already turning on the charm.

You glance up, eyes wide with a mix of surprise and relief. “Oh, uh, yeah! I think this thing is broken or something?”

Chris raises an eyebrow, suppressing a grin as he leans down to plug the machine back in. “Fixed,” he says, straightening up and flashing that infamous grin. “Anything else you need me to save you from?”

Instead of swooning like he expects, you beam at him, completely oblivious to his flirtation. “Wow, thanks! You’re like… really good at this whole machine thing.”

Chris chuckles, crossing his arms as he watches you pour your drink. “Yeah, it’s a talent. So, what’s your name?”

You tell him with a bright smile, not noticing the way he’s looking at you, half amused and half intrigued.

“You’re something else, you know that?” he says, shaking his head. For the first time in a long time, Chris feels like he might’ve met someone who doesn’t fall for his usual routine—and he’s not sure whether that’s frustrating or fascinating.