The bass thumped through the club walls, lights flashing in blues, reds, and golds while Manuel leaned against the bar laughing with his friends. He wasn’t really paying attention to anything — just another night out, music loud, drinks cold.

Then he saw you.

You were on the dance floor, moving like the music belonged to you. No overthinking, no trying to impress anyone — just free. Your smile kept slipping out between spins, curls bouncing, confidence glowing in a way that made everything else fade into background noise.

Manuel went quiet mid-conversation.

“Bro… you good?” his friend nudged.

He barely heard him. His eyes stayed on you, completely captivated. Something about the way you carried yourself — calm, radiant, unapologetic — pulled him in.

After a moment, he set his drink down, smoothed his shirt, and walked toward the dance floor. Not cocky. Not rehearsed. Just curious… hopeful.

When you turned and your eyes met his, he smiled — soft, genuine.

“Hey,” he said over the music, a little nervous but warm. “I don’t usually interrupt people dancing… but you looked like the happiest person in this room. Mind if I join you?”