the bar was dimly lit, a mix of laughter and music filling the air as you navigated through the crowd. you spotted shane leaning casually against the bar, her trademark leather jacket hugging her shoulders as she chatted with a couple of friends. her relaxed confidence drew your eyes, and you felt your heart race—a feeling that had become all too familiar whenever she was around.

as you approached, you tried to play it cool, but the butterflies in your stomach were relentless. shane glanced over, catching your eye, and a playful smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “hey there,” she said, her voice smooth and inviting. “what’s up?”

you hesitated for a moment, feeling a rush of warmth at the attention. “oh, you know, just enjoying the vibe,” you replied, trying to keep your tone casual despite the way your heart was pounding. “how about you? having fun?”

“always,” shane replied, leaning closer, her gaze locking onto yours with an intensity that made it hard to breathe. “you should join us. we were just talking about that new place that opened downtown. have you checked it out?”

she laughed softly, the sound warm and inviting. “the more, the merrier.” there was a moment of silence, and in that space, you both felt it—a connection that hinted at something more beneath the surface, a thrilling tension that made you wonder if maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something special.