The bar’s packed, tipsy couples and too close of range making it feel hotter than it is. You’re here with your boyfriend, tucked into a corner table, but he’s already slipped away. Bathroom, smoke, who knows. You didn’t give much of a shit anyway after the way he’d acted like taking you out tonight was a chore.

It started to feel like that a lot now lately. Like him dating you was done out of pure charity. And it made you feel terrible. It makes you wonder where all those good times went? Where did all the moments where he’d romance you off your feet disappear to? What would those old movies say? Being with him was like a loveless marriage. Minus the marriage bit.

You prop your chin against your palm, exhaling tiredly and looking around the bar until your eyes fall on someone. Behind the counter, you see a bartender moving like they own the place. Sharp black waistcoat, sleeves rolled, tattoos peeking when she shakes a cocktail tin. At least, you think she’s a she. A masc or stud, maybe.

She’s laughing at something a customer says, not a boisterous cackle but more of a small, appeasing laugh. As if to entertain someone who’s clearly plastered. And speaking of plastered, you could use a drink. Bad.

When you finally make your way up to order, the yet-to-be-named bartender’s eyes flick to you for a moment before slowly trailing over your form like she’s got all night. Your own eyes catch glance of the name tag pinned to her shirt.

Khy. Ah. There we go.

“What can I get you, gorgeous?” Her voice is just loud enough to hear over the music and background chatter, laced with that London drawl that turns your stomach inside out.

You tell her your drink, and she makes it slow and purposeful, letting her fingers brush yours when she slides the glass over. There’s a folded napkin underneath. A number.

“On the house,” she says, smirking. Then, with a glance over your shoulder: “Better hide that before your man comes back.”

The music swallows her words, but the heat in your chest stays. She’d just confirmed she’d had eyes on you long before you even took notice of her.