The pulsing bass of the nightclub reverberated through Sophia’s chest as they approached the entrance. Neon lights flickered across her face, casting shadows that danced in time with her racing heartbeat. She walked beside Emily and Lucas, their presence a comforting buffer against the night’s uncertainties.
Behind them, Freya’s lilting laughter mingled with Dan’s deep chuckle, while Evelyn and Mac’s hushed whispers barely reached Sophia’s ears. The air was electric with possibility, and despite herself, Sophia felt a spark of excitement ignite in her gut.
As they rounded the corner, Jake’s tall figure came into view. He leaned against the wall, all easy grace and sun-kissed skin. His blue eyes lit up when he spotted them, and that crooked grin Sophia couldn’t quite shake spread across his face.
“Hey, surfer boy!” Emily, Evelyn, and Freya chorused, their voices a mix of teasing and warmth.
Sophia couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped her lips as she approached. Jake’s gaze locked onto hers, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them.
As Sophia drew closer, Jake’s hand found its way to the small of her back, his touch sending a jolt of electricity up her spine. The warmth of his palm seeped through the thin fabric of her dress, a stark contrast to the cool night air.
“Hey there, beautiful,” Jake murmured, his voice low and honeyed. “Glad you made it.”
Sophia’s breath hitched, but she managed a casual shrug. “Wouldn’t miss it, Surfer Boy.”
Jake’s fingers traced lazy circles on her back as he leaned in, his breath tickling her ear. “I’ve got a couple hours of work left, but I’ll be done by eleven.”
His lips brushed against her earlobe as he whispered, “And I haven’t forgotten that dance you promised me.”
Sophia’s heart hammered in her chest, a mix of anticipation and anxiety swirling in her gut. She wanted to lean into his touch, to let herself get lost in the moment, but that nagging voice of caution held her back.
“We’ll see about that dance,” she replied, aiming for nonchalance but hearing the slight tremor in her voice. “I might be too busy showing Emily how it’s done on the dance floor.”
Jake’s laugh rumbled through her, deep and genuine. “I’ll take my chances. Save a spot for me, yeah?”
As he pulled away, Sophia found herself missing his warmth. She watched him disappear into the crowd, her thoughts a jumbled mess of desire and doubt.
“Earth to Sophia,” Emily’s voice cut through her reverie. “Are you coming in, or are you just gonna stand there daydreaming about Surfer Boy all night?”
Sophia rolled her eyes, but couldn’t quite hide her smile. “Shut up, Em. Let’s go show these amateurs how it’s done.”
Sophia grabbed Emily’s hand, her fingers interlacing with her best friend’s as she pulled her towards the pulsing heart of the dance floor. Freya and Evelyn followed close behind, their laughter barely audible over the throbbing bass.
“Time to forget about everything and just feel the music,” Sophia shouted, her body already starting to move to the beat. She closed her eyes, letting the rhythm wash over her, pushing away thoughts of Jake, her ex, and all the emotional baggage she’d been lugging around.
As they reached the center of the crowd, Sophia’s eyes flicked open, scanning the room. Almost involuntarily, her gaze landed on Jake behind one of the bars. He was mixing drinks with practiced ease, but his eyes kept darting in her direction.
“Looks like someone can’t keep his eyes off you,” Emily teased, nudging Sophia with her elbow.
Sophia snorted, trying to play it cool. “He’s probably just making sure we don’t start a riot or something.”
But even as the words left her mouth, she felt a thrill run through her. Jake’s attention was flattering, exciting, and terrifying all at once.
“Yeah, right,” Freya chimed in, her hips swaying to the music. “Because three tipsy girls and a pregnant Emily are such a threat to public safety.”
Sophia laughed, grateful for the distraction. “Hey, you haven’t seen Emily after her third cosmopolitan. She’s a menace to society.”
“I resent that!” Emily protested, but her giggles betrayed her. “Now less talking, more dancing. We’ve got to give Surfer Boy a show he won’t forget.”
As they lost themselves in the music, Sophia couldn’t help but steal glances at Jake. Each time their eyes met, she felt a jolt of electricity. Part of her wanted to run, to protect herself from the possibility of getting hurt again. But another part, a part that was growing stronger with each beat of the music, wanted to throw caution to the wind and see where this could lead.
The pulsing rhythm of the music seemed to fade into the background as Sophia’s eyes locked onto an unexpected sight. Lucas, usually so composed and reserved, was leading Emily in a surprisingly graceful dance. His hand rested lightly on her waist, and there was an unmistakable spark in his eyes as he gazed down at her.
“Well, fuck me sideways,” Sophia muttered under her breath, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
She blinked hard, as if trying to clear her vision. But when she looked again, the scene remained unchanged. Emily was laughing, her head thrown back, as Lucas twirled her effortlessly.
Sophia’s gaze darted to the side, where Freya was now pressed close to Dan, their bodies moving in sync. Even Evelyn, sweet and unassuming Evelyn, was swaying in Mac’s arms, a soft smile playing on her lips.
“Christ, when did this turn into a bloody rom-com?” Sophia thought, a knot forming in her stomach. She shook her head, trying to dislodge the sudden surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
Closing her eyes, Sophia took a deep breath. “It doesn’t bother you,” she told herself firmly. “You’re happy for them. This is fine.”
But even as she repeated the mantra in her head, she couldn’t quite shake the feeling of being left out, of watching everyone else find their happy ending while she stood alone on the sidelines.
Sophia’s eyes snapped open, her jaw clenching. “Fuck this,” she muttered, pushing her way through the writhing bodies on the dance floor.