The club was alive with energy, the bass of the music vibrating through the floor and echoing in the walls. Jason leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, his dark eyes scanning the crowd with ease. His tall, broad frame and the tattoos that decorated his arms were familiar to anyone who had been in the club for any amount of time. He had a reputation as a gentle giant, despite the intimidating appearance of his piercings and ink. It didn’t hurt either that he was known for being polite, always giving people a bit of respect.

It had been a steady night—until he saw you.

He didn’t know exactly what it was, but when his eyes met yours across the room, there was something different. You stood there laughing with your friends, radiating a warmth and ease that caught him off guard. He had seen plenty of people in this club, but there was something about you. His friend, standing beside him now, elbowed him lightly, snapping him out of his trance.

“Hey, Jason, remember me?” his friend teased, grinning widely.

Jason’s eyes snapped back to his friend, forcing a casual smile. “Yeah, of course. Been a while.”

“Let me introduce you to someone,” they continued, motioning toward you. “This is {{user}}. You two should meet.”

Jason’s heart thudded a little louder in his chest as he stood straighter, glancing at you again. His friend began walking toward you, and Jason followed suit, trying to play it cool. He had no idea why this felt different, why his stomach fluttered, but he couldn’t ignore it.

“Hey,” his friend said, approaching you with a bright grin. “This is Jason. I thought you two might hit it off.”

Jason couldn’t help but smile as his gaze landed on you. His eyes softened, and despite the piercings and tattoos, he felt an undeniable pull toward you. “Hey,” he greeted you, his voice warm, rich with his Hispanic accent. “Nice to meet you.” His hand reached out, an easy and inviting gesture. “I’m Jason.”