ickered above her, casting soft blues and reds across her face as she made her way to the co

ld the bartender, her voice

slightly, her head heavy but not numb. She jus

etheart?" a voice

even look.

closer. "Wanna dance? Get your mind off whate

I'm not i

ing. "You think you're too goo

oward him, eyes red b

coffed and shoved her,just en

a gasp. Her arms reached out, desperate to catch s

ide Jason, unaware of the chaos happening r

em both off balance. Nathaniel instinctively grabbed her, but she

went

th a heavy thud and she l

llided and thei

the awkward, breathless crash of two pe

ond, every

le turned. Even Jason's

lized what had just happened. S

didn't mean to...." she stammered, che

, then sat up slowly, lips still par

a little too loud. "Did sh

ne an

ne was

the floor to sw

in, breathless, her voice shak

show annoyance or even surprise-just calm, like nothing truly rattled him.

y. No hesitation. He walked straigh

the man by the collar. The guy tried to protest, but Jason already h

to Maya, his voice low

talking to her really talking to her.

back of her hand. "Yeah. Yes. I'm okay. Thank you...

d gently, a tiny smile tugging at the

rgot where she was. His eyes were soft, steady, and nothin

hank you," s

ve a small no

r was trying to pretend nothing had just happened. But

some quiet, str

--

than stayed with her a lit

she was fine. Her fingers were wrapped loosely around her glass, but she wasn't

re you'r

I'm fine. Just... surprised,

"No need to apologize. You

e how it felt like he genuinely meant what he said but for the first

d. "If you feel dizzy or anything, don't try t

ed again.

d made his way to the VIP section. Jason was already th

ing into the plush lea

ed a brow.

drink from his hand. "Yeah. Just

not exactly the kind of

under his breath.

his phone buzzed. He answered wit

nd like you're in a war zone?" t

ck, half-laughing

e voice pause

und briefly. "V

here i

before he could

, the entrance lit up again

ed to turn heads. The music didn't stop this time, but you could

tle. "Well... there's our

ed. He just watched

table. He stood up slowly, then hugged her with the same calm he

caught the hug out of

nothing to do with her, for some

g to ignore the weird twist in

as he

voice was quiet, wor

hand through her hair.

safe, sweetie. We

. Don't

slow, heavy. One last glance toward Nathan, still smiling with the other