drown out the chatter. I leaned back against the sticky wooden counter, letting the cold glass of beer settle in

s high. He gave me a knowing look but didn't hesitate. I'd been here

he room was a mix of people: a couple of groups gathered around tables, some laughing louder than others, and a few solo drinkers l

teetering. People glanced over at me, but I didn't care. Tonight, I was here to

I wasn't great at darts, but I wasn't here to play it safe. I could feel the shift in th

down, then shrugged. "Sure, j

Losing isn't even

. It hit the board, barely scoring anything, but I didn't care. The laughter around the table was more than enough. We play

l "Good luck, boys," and made my way back to the bar, weaving through the crowd. I wasn

something with a little more kick this time. Maybe whiskey. The bartender raised

z of the crowd, the constant clinking of glasses, the deep, rhythmic thrum of the bass in the background music-

, probably drawn in by my energy. I didn't mind. I wasn't exactly a wallflowe

ly smile said, leaning in just a bit too close for comfort. But

charming grin. The night was still young, and who knew whe

lost in the noise, the laughter, and the feeling of just... existing without a care in the world. It w

ng about anything but the next drink, the next laugh, the next momen

rn slide down my throat. My eyes wandered over the crowd

in a little too close, said with a grin. "I'm Lily.

h a firm, easy grip. "Samuel," I replied, giving

muel, huh? You don't sound like so

esting." My eyes flicked to her for a moment, studying her carefully. She had the kind of smil

Sam. So, what brings you to this fine establishment tonight?" Her voice had that c

looking to have a good time. Don't care about much else." I gestur

ed. "Same. Just wanted a night to

you just need to disconnect, forget ever

something more, something that had the potential to lead somewhere. Whether it was just another night

air?" she asked, leaning in just a l

y, really. I'm just a guy enjoying the night. You know, nothing too complicated." I gave her a

ng a sip. "Oh, you know. Same as you, probably. Just nee

n. There was something about her that felt li

the noise of the bar had faded into the background for just a sec

ing mine with an unspoken

tween us. It wasn't just a casual flirtation anymore. It was somet

g the silence, "you u

dened. "You

ment, this connection, this night. Whatever happened next didn't matter. For

at was