the shaker cracked hard against your palm as you flipped it into the air, caught it behind your back, and poured vodka from high above, not spilling a drop

the crowd screamed but you didnt hear them. you only saw her. renee. sitting in the corner booth like this was a coincidence. like she hadnt intentionally walked into your place. like she didnt know exactly what the fuck she was doing when she put on that tight black dress and perched herself somewhere you couldnt ignore

her eyes were locked on you. hungry, hesitant, and nostalgic. all of it and you hated her for it

the lights were low but hot. your black button down was half open, sleeves rolled to your elbows, and chains peeking at your collarbone. you moved like you owned the whole damn bar because honestly you couldve. with the kind of money you had you didnt have to work here but this place? this was yours. your escape. your control. your stage and tonight, with the right spotlight on your skin and the bass vibrating under your boots, you were goddamn electric

you jumped down from the bar, wiping your hands on a towel as you made your way towards her. the crowd parted like they knew not to stand in your way. or maybe they just saw the look on your face

renee didnt flinch when you stopped in front of her. she slowly looked up at you like she was bracing for impact. her lips curled around the rim of her drink but she didnt sip. she didnt need to. she was already drunk on you

“you slumming it now baby?” you asked, voice low, amused, and dangerous “this isnt exactly your usual cocktail lounge”

she tilted her head “didnt come for the cocktails"

you leaned in with your hands braced on the edge of her booth. you were close enough to smell the vanilla of her skin and close enough to remember what her breath used to sound like against your throat

“and what did you come for?”

her lashes flicked up “you.”

you laughed once. there was no humor. just the raw sound of disbelief scraping out of your chest “you really think you can walk back in here after what you did?”

“you walked away first” she said softly

you smirked “yeah well i walk away from things i can afford to lose" the lie stung as soon as it left your mouth

she stared at you like she could see right through the bravado. past the rolex, past the crisp cash that filled your safe, past the reputation, the swagger, and the bar tricks

“then why havent you replaced me?" that caught you

you leaned back, jaw tight, as your hand started flexing where it rested against the dark wood “careful rapp. you dont want to poke at shit youre not ready to dig up”

she stood up slow, brushing past you with the faintest touch. it was barely there but enough to make your muscles lock

her lips brushed your ear as she passed “you still dance like youre trying to forget me”

you turned, catching her wrist before she got too far. your grip was firm but not rough just commanding

“you want the truth?” you murmured

she didnt answer but she didnt pull away either so you stepped into her space, letting her feel the heat roll off you. your voice dropped to the kind of growl that used to make her knees buckle “you come in here, dressed like youre trying to get ruined again, watching me like i still belong to you. you want something renee? ask for it. use your words.”

her breath hitched. you watched her pupils dilate then she pulled her wrist free, slow and intentional as her eyes burned into yours “i want a drink.”

“sure you do” you mumbled, stepping back with a smirk “ill make it a double”

as you walked away you didnt need to turn around to know she was still watching because you could feel it just like you always could