I escaped the bar just after midnight.
Not because I wanted to leave. Because I needed air. And space. And distance from the way Cassian's smile lingered on my skin.
Jude followed me outside.
Of course he did.
"You always leave before things get complicated," he said.
I turned slowly. "You always think you get to comment on my exits."
He stopped a few feet away. Not close. Not far. The distance we used to keep when touching meant something.
"You didn't come back for this," he said.
"For what?"
"For him."
I smiled faintly. "Jealousy doesn't suit you."
His eyes flicked to my mouth. Just for a second. He caught himself too late.
"You like provoking," he said.
"I like honesty."
"Then be honest," he said quietly. "Why now?"
The question landed harder than I expected.
I crossed my arms. "I needed to see if this place still had power over me."
"And?"
I hesitated.
"Yes," I admitted. "But not the way it used to."
His shoulders relaxed slightly. "Good."
"Don't get comfortable."
A laugh escaped him. Real. Soft. Dangerous. "You haven't changed."
"Liar," I said. "I used to care what you thought."
He stepped closer.
"Still do," he murmured.
My breath caught. Just a little. Enough for him to notice.
"Careful," I said. "You don't get to say things like that anymore."
"Why not?"
"Because you don't get to want me only when I'm standing in front of you."
The words hung between us. Heavy. Unfinished.
From behind us, a familiar voice cut in.
"There you are."
Cassian leaned against the doorframe, casual as sin.
"Am I interrupting?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
Jude's expression hardened. Cassian's smile sharpened.
I exhaled slowly.
"No," I said. "You're both exactly where you're supposed to be."
And for the first time, I didn't feel like the one being cornered.
I felt like the one holding the match.