Bound to my Enemy Chapter 8 - EIGHT

We danced longer than I realized.

Ti blurred the way it always did when you are having fun. Ivy and I moved together easily, laughing, bumping shoulders, singing along to lyrics we barely knew. Sweat clung to my neck, my hair sticking to my skin, but I didn’t care.

For once, she looked light.

Not guarded. Not careful. Just happy.

Eventually, Ivy leaned close so I could hear her over the music. "I need to use the bathroom."

I nodded. "Go."

She started to turn toward the main hallway, then hesitated when she saw the line snaking out from the won’s restroom. Her face fell instantly.

"Absolutely not," I said, catching her wrist. "Use the VIP one."

She blinked. "The VIP section?"

"Yeah. Upstairs. It’s cleaner, and you won’t have to wait forever."

She laughed. "You say that like you go up there all the ti."

"I’ve been up once or twice," I shrugged. "Trust ."

She glanced toward the stairs, then back at . "You’re not coming?"

"I’ll grab us drinks," I said. "et back here."

"Okay," she said, already stepping away. "Dont go anywhere".

"I won’t," I promised.

I watched her weave through the crowd and head toward the stairs before turning toward the bar. It was packed, three bartenders working nonstop, glassware clinking, hands waving bills in the air.

I squeezed into an open spot and leaned against the counter, resting my elbows on the cool surface. The bartender noticed after a mont and raised an eyebrow.

"Vodka soda," I said. "Two."

He nodded and turned away.

While I waited for my drink, I let myself relax. The music was good, so I swayed slightly where I stood, sipping when the drinks were placed in front of , letting the bass hum through my bones.

That was when soone slid into the space beside .

"Long night?" a man’s voice said.

I glanced sideways.

He was tall. Well-grood. Wearing a fitted button-down with the top few buttons undone like it was part of a uniform. Clean. Attractive in a way that felt almost practiced.

"Sothing like that," I replied, noncommittal.

He smiled, easy and confident. "You here alone?"

I lifted my glass and took a sip before answering. "No."

"Boyfriend?"

"No."

He took that as encouragent, which didn’t surprise .

"I’m Ryan," he said, leaning his elbow against the bar, angling his body toward mine. "You look like you know how to have fun." Waggling his eyebrows

I let out a small laugh. "That’s a bold assumption."

He grinned. "Co on. You’ve been dancing since I walked in."

I shrugged. "Good music."

"Better company," he said, eyes flicking over in a way that made my skin tighten.

I shifted slightly, creating space. "I’m actually waiting for soone."

He waved that away. "Doesn’t an we can’t have fun."

I didn’t answer right away, hoping the hint would land.

It didn’t. Of course it didn’t

"So," he continued, "what’s your na?"

I hesitated, then gave him my first na. There was no reason not to. "Elaine."

"Pretty," he said. "Fits you."

"Thanks."

He ordered a drink for himself without asking, then leaned closer. "You co here often?"

"No."

"Figures," he said. "You don’t look like you belong in places like this."

I raised an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to be flattering?"

He laughed. "Yeah. I an, you seem... different."

There it was. The universal line.

I smiled politely but didn’t respond

He didn’t seem to notice.

"So what are you doing later?" he asked.

I glanced at my phone.

No texts from Ivy, she’s been gone for a while now.

"She’s probably just fixing her makeup," I told myself, even as unease stirred faintly in my chest.

"I’m heading ho," I said to Ryan. "Soon."

"Maybe not alone," he said, flashing a grin.

I turned fully toward him then, eting his gaze. "I’m not interested."

He blinked, clearly not used to that answer. "Hey, I’m just being friendly."

"I know," I said evenly. "And I’m saying no."

He chuckled, lifting his hands slightly. "Alright, alright. No need to get defensive."

I turned back toward the bar, signaling the conversation was over.

He stayed.

"You know," he said, lowering his voice, "most girls don’t shut dowm that fast."

I sighed, irritation creeping in. "I’m not most girls."