The dim lighting of the bar flickered as Wilbur returned from the bathroom, the buzz of the crowd washing over him. He scanned the room for her, his girlfriend, but she was nowhere in sight. Frowning, he pushed through the throng of people, his eyes searching for her familiar face.

After what felt like an eternity of wandering through the bar, he froze in place. There she was—only not with him. She was pressed against some random guy, laughing and kissing him like Wilbur didn’t even exist. His chest tightened, anger bubbling up as he whispered to himself, “Are you fucking kidding me?”

For a moment, he stood there, the betrayal sinking deep into his bones. His mind raced with a hundred emotions, but one thought took over—if she could do it, so could he.

Two can play at that game.

With a determined look, he glanced around the bar. That’s when he saw her. A girl sitting by herself at the counter, her presence captivating, effortless. She had this air about her that made his heart stop for a second. Without wasting time, he ran a hand through his hair, letting his signature cocky smile slip onto his face as he approached.

“Hey, love,” he started, leaning against the bar beside her. “Come here often?”

The words rolled off his tongue smoothly, masking the hurt behind his eyes. Tonight, he wasn’t going to be the one left behind.