Chapter 27: The Club Night

The club was alive with flashing neon lights, vibrating bass, and a crowd that pulsed with energy. The air smelled of expensive perfume, alcohol, and that distinct scent of a wild night out. It wasn't Iris's usual scene, but tonight, she had let Luke drag her here.

"Come on, sunshine," he had coaxed, his deep voice laced with excitement. "We always do the same things. Let's shake things up."

She had rolled her eyes at the nickname but ultimately agreed. And now, she was standing at the bar, nursing a drink while Luke had disappeared into the crowd, heading toward the bathroom.

She took a deep breath, soaking in the scene around her. People moved together on the dance floor, bodies swaying, laughter echoing over the loud music. For once, she let herself just exist in the moment.

Then, a girl with short, vibrant pink hair slid up beside her, a confident smirk on her face. "Hey, you look like you could use some company."

Iris turned toward her, intrigued. "And you're offering?"

The girl laughed, a bright, infectious sound. "Of course. I'm Yaz."

Iris smiled. "Iris."

"You here alone?" Yaz asked, leaning against the bar.

Iris shook her head, gesturing toward where Luke had disappeared. "No, my friend went to the bathroom."

Yaz's smirk widened. "Friend, huh? He's just a friend?"

Iris chuckled. "Yes, just a friend."

Yaz eyed her for a moment before shrugging. "Alright, if you say so. But he's not here now, so come dance with me while you wait."

Iris hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Why not?"

Yaz grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor. The music was intoxicating, wrapping around them like a spell. They laughed, moving in sync, spinning and twirling under the flashing lights.

And then a guy appeared, smoothly inserting himself between them. He was tall, dark-haired, and confident. His hands brushed against Iris's waist as he started dancing with her.

Iris didn't mind. It was harmless fun. Just dancing.

But the moment Luke returned, everything shifted.

He froze in place, his sharp eyes locking onto Iris. His entire body tensed. The sight of some random guy's hands on her waist sent a surge of irritation through him.

Who the hell was this guy?

His jaw clenched, and he exhaled through his nose, his fingers tightening into a fist at his side.

Iris, completely unaware of the burning gaze directed at her, continued dancing, laughing when Yaz twirled beside her.

Luke narrowed his eyes. Two could play this game.

He strode forward, slipping right into the space beside Yaz.

"Mind if I join?" he asked, voice smooth but sharp.

Yaz, oblivious to his true intentions, grinned. "Sure, handsome. Let's see if you can keep up."

And just like that, Luke started dancing with her.

Iris had just twirled away from the guy she was dancing with when she caught sight of Luke—his tall, muscular frame moving effortlessly with Yaz, his hands gripping her waist as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Something in Iris's chest twisted.

She told herself it was nothing.

But then Luke leaned in, his lips brushing against Yaz's ear as he whispered something. Yaz laughed, throwing her head back, her fingers grazing his biceps.

Iris felt her stomach tighten, a foreign irritation creeping into her veins.

It didn't make sense.

She had been dancing with a guy first, so why did it bother her so much to see Luke with another girl?

She tried to ignore it, forcing herself to focus back on her own dance partner, but her movements were suddenly off, her rhythm disrupted. The guy she had been dancing with frowned.

"You okay?" he asked.

Iris nodded quickly. "Yeah, I just need a break."

She excused herself, weaving through the crowd until she reached the bar. She grabbed her drink, taking a long sip, trying to calm whatever weird feeling was clawing at her chest.

Moments later, she felt a familiar presence beside her.

Luke.

He was too close, his body warm despite the coolness of the club's air conditioning.

"Got tired?" he asked casually, leaning against the bar with a knowing smirk.

Iris exhaled, gripping her glass tighter. "Just needed a breather."

Luke hummed, eyes flickering over her face. Then, as if testing her, he added, "Didn't seem to mind dancing with that guy back there."

Iris scoffed, rolling her eyes. "And you didn't seem to mind dancing with Yaz."

Luke tilted his head slightly, that smirk still playing on his lips. "Did that bother you, sunshine?"

She forced a laugh. "Why would it?"

Luke let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "No reason."

But the way his eyes held hers told a different story.

For the rest of the night, neither of them said anything more about it. But the tension between them?

It lingered.