The night began better than either of them had expected.
The Afterglow pulsed with life—intoxicating music, neon lights washing over bodies packed tight together. Sweat, perfume, alcohol, and desire hung heavy in the air.
They laughed easily. Sera loosened first—her shoulders relaxing, her laughter coming freer, louder. She danced without overthinking, hips moving to the rhythm, hair swaying. Every so often, she'd glance back at Eric.
Eric stayed close without hovering, letting her have her space while never letting anyone else forget she was with him. A hand at her lower back. A brush of fingers along her wrist. Subtle. Possessive. Enough to send sparks racing through her veins.
She grew tipsy quickly—cheeks flushed, laughter spilling out of her, movements looser, bolder. She leaned into him when she talked, shouted nonsense into his ear over the music.
Eric, for his part, was just… happy. Genuinely, unexpectedly so. He drank, let himself exist.
But then everything shifted.
