The bass thudded low and steady as Georgia stepped out of the car. The club lights were blinding for a second, colors flashing red, blue, purple. Music poured out the open doors like heat, loud and wild. May had disappeared into the crowd with Damien, leaving Georgia and Lucian behind. Together.

The inside of the club was packed. Bodies moved in every direction, lights bounced off bare skin and glittered dresses, and the air was thick with perfume, cologne, and something stronger, alcohol, maybe a bit of smoke. Georgia followed Lucian through the chaos, her heels clicking quietly beneath the music. He walked like he wasn’t even fazed, like he...