the bar was humming with laughter as dim golden lights caught on sequins and champagne glasses. it was the kind of hollywood party where everyone looked like they belonged in a magazine or wanted to. the music was loud enough to give people excuses to lean in close but not enough to drown out whispered secrets

you stood near the edge of the room with a whiskey in one hand as your thumb ran along the rim of the glass. a familiar weight in your chest made you glance across the crown and there renee was

her blond hair was falling past her shoulders in perfect waves and she had the signature smirk tucked just behind her glass she she laughed at something someone had said, her fingers covering her face like the laugh had caught her off guard but you knew better. she laughs like that when she knows youre looking

she hadnt officially seen you yet but you knew the game. the causal lean of her body and the exaggerated touch of her fingers on the rim of her wine glass. she knew and she was playing

you didnt move at first. you just watch from your spot with your fingers curling around your drink. your jacket was slightly oversized as the collar popped just enough to match the careless sharpness in my posture. you looked like you werent just waiting for her eyes to flick to yours

then they did. it was just a deliberate glance then they were gone just as quickly as it came like it hadnt happened at all but her grin widened just slightly and for a second your stomach flipped same as it always had with her

someone walked by, brushing your arm but you didnt notice. you let your tongue press lightly to your cheek, fighting back a grin of your own. you were used to flirting with everything but this was different

this was her and you both knew exactly what kind of game you were dancing with again. she didnt walk over yet but the game had started