I should have pulled my hand away first.
But I didn't.
Ethan's fingers lingered around mine for a second longer than necessary—not enough to be inappropriate, just enough to feel intentional.
Like everything he did had meaning behind it.
"Do you always look this nervous when you meet someone new?" he asked, his voice calm, almost teasing.
"I'm not nervous," I said quickly.
He tilted his head slightly, studying me.
"You're holding your breath."
I blinked.
And then exhaled without even realizing it.
That small smile returned to his lips.
"Relax, Nia," he said softly. "I don't bite."
"Good," I replied, finding my voice again. "Because I don't like being bitten."
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"Noted."
The music pulsed around us, but suddenly it felt distant—like we were in our own space, separate from everyone else.
"Let me guess," he continued, "your friend dragged you here."
"How did you know?"
"You keep looking over your shoulder like you're planning your escape."
I laughed despite myself. "Wow. You're very observant."
"I pay attention to things that interest me."
There it was again.
That word.
Interest.
And the way he said it…
It didn't feel casual.
"So," I crossed my arms slightly, trying to regain control of the conversation, "do you always walk up to random girls and analyze them like this?"
"Only the ones who pretend not to notice me," he replied smoothly.
I froze for half a second.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
"I wasn't pretending," I said.
"Hmm," he hummed, clearly unconvinced.
"You're very confident, you know that?"
"I've been told," he said.
"And you believe it?"
"I don't need to believe it," he replied calmly. "I just am."
I should have rolled my eyes.
I should have found him annoying.
But instead…
I smiled.
"Dance with me," he said suddenly.
It wasn't really a question.
I hesitated.
Just for a moment.
Because something in my chest tightened again—that same quiet warning I felt earlier.
Too fast.
Too easy.
Too… perfect.
"I don't really dance," I said.
"That's fine," he stepped a little closer. "I'll lead."
And somehow…
That made it worse.
Before I could change my mind, his hand found mine again, gently pulling me toward the dance floor.
The crowd moved around us, the music louder now, heavier.
This time, I was aware of everything.
His hand resting lightly on my waist.
The way he kept just enough distance… but not enough to ignore.
The way his eyes never left mine.
"You're overthinking," he said.
I frowned. "Am I that easy to read?"
"With me?" he said quietly. "Yes."
I swallowed.
"Why?"
"Because you're trying to figure me out," he replied. "And you don't like that you can't."
He was right.
And I hated that he was right.
"Maybe I just don't trust easily," I said.
"Good," he said immediately.
That caught me off guard.
"Good?"
"Trust should be earned," he added. "Not given freely."
For a split second…
Something in his expression changed.
It was subtle.
Quick.
But I saw it.
A shadow.
"What about you?" I asked slowly. "Do you trust easily?"
He didn't answer immediately.
His grip on my waist tightened—just slightly.
"I trust when it's necessary," he finally said.
"That sounds… selective."
"It is."
The music slowed slightly, the energy shifting.
But my mind was no longer on the dance.
It was on him.
On that answer.
On the feeling that there was more behind his words than he was letting me see.
"You're mysterious," I said before I could stop myself.
"I could say the same about you."
I shook my head. "No. I'm actually very simple."
"I doubt that," he replied.
Silence fell between us for a moment.
Not awkward.
Just… heavy.
"Tell me something real about you," I said suddenly.
It was a challenge.
And I knew it.
Ethan looked at me for a long second.
Too long.
Like he was deciding something.
Then he smiled.
That same calm, perfect smile.
"I just did," he said.
Something in my chest dropped.
Because I knew—
That wasn't the truth.
And yet…
I didn't walk away.
"Your friend is staring," he added, glancing past me.
I turned slightly to see Amaka watching us with a look that clearly said I told you so.
I sighed.
"I should probably go back to her."
"You probably should," he agreed.
But he didn't move.
Neither did I.
"Will I see you again?" he asked.
Simple question.
But the way he said it…
It didn't feel simple.
"I don't know," I replied honestly.
He nodded slowly, like he expected that answer.
Then—
He reached for my phone.
"Hey—
"Relax," he said, already typing.
A few seconds later, he handed it back to me.
A new contact.
Ethan.
"I'll make sure you do," he said quietly.
And just like that…
He stepped back.
Turned.
And disappeared into the crowd.
I stood there, staring at my phone.
At his name.
At the number I didn't ask for.
My heart was still racing.
My thoughts, louder than ever.
That feeling again…
Something wasn't right.
Something about him didn't add up.
But even with that—
I knew one thing for sure.
If he called…
I would answer.