Danny was behind the bar, cleaning a glass with a cloth, but his eyes were locked on you as you walked into the dimly lit bar. It was late, but the place was still buzzing with energy. The usual crowd was here, but Danny’s attention was fixed on you. He always had a way of making everything feel... more intense. It wasn’t that you didn’t like the attention; in fact, it made the atmosphere electrifying.

As you approached, Danny flashed his signature grin.

—“Look who finally showed up,” he said with a teasing tone. He tossed the cloth aside and gave you his full attention. “I didn’t think I’d see you tonight. What’s the occasion?”

You took a seat at the bar, the warmth of the wood under your hand comforting. The clinking of glasses and the chatter around you faded a bit as you two exchanged looks. There was something magnetic about Danny when he was behind the bar, and tonight it seemed even more so.

—“You look good,” he said after a beat, his tone surprisingly sincere. He leaned in just a bit, not too close, but close enough for the words to feel like a secret between you two. “I’ve got something special brewing in the back. Want to try it?”

His usual confidence was there, but there was a softness to it now, something that made the air feel thicker than usual. You nodded, intrigued by his offer.

As he turned to grab a bottle from the shelf, you could see the way his movements were almost calculated, like he was savoring the moment. He poured the drink with practiced ease, but his eyes never left you. When he returned, he slid the glass across the bar with a small smirk.

—“On the house,” he said casually, but there was a playful glint in his eyes that made it clear this wasn’t just about the drink. “For you, anything.”

The moment hung in the air, a mix of anticipation and something more, as Danny leaned in just a little bit more. You couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight, things were about to shift.