The pulsing bass of the nightclub reverberated through Sophia's chest as they approached the entrance. Neon lights flickered across her face, casting shadows that danced in time with her racing heartbeat. She walked beside Emily and Lucas, their presence a comforting buffer against the night's uncertainties.
Behind them, Freya's lilting laughter mingled with Dan's deep chuckle, while Evelyn and Mac's hushed whispers barely reached Sophia's ears. The air was electric with possibility, and despite herself, Sophia felt a spark of excitement ignite in her gut.
As they rounded the corner, Jake's tall figure came into view. He leaned against the wall, all easy grace and sun-kissed skin. His blue eyes lit up when he spotted them, and that crooked grin Sophia couldn't quite shake spread across his face.
"Hey, surfer boy!" E
The bass pounded in her chest as she navigated the crowd, her eyes fixed on the bar across from Jake's. She could feel his gaze on her, but she refused to look his way. Not now. Not when she felt this raw, this exposed.She slid onto a barstool, her fingers drumming an impatient rhythm on the sticky surface. The bartender, a lanky guy with a sleeve of tattoos, raised an eyebrow at her."Two shots of tequila," Sophia said, her voice carrying a sharp edge. "And make it the good stuff, yeah?"The bartender nodded, pouring the golden liquid into two small glasses. Sophia grabbed the first one, lifting it in a mock toast to no one in particular."Here's to feelings being overrated bullshit," she muttered, then knocked it back in one swift motion. The liquor burned its way dow
The crowd around them began to surge with excitement, and Sophia realised the DJ was starting the countdown to midnight. Jake's arms tightened around her waist as the chant began."Ten! Nine! Eight!"Sophia's heart raced, her eyes locked on Jake's. His usual easy-going grin had been replaced by something more intense, more hungry."Seven! Six! Five!""Jake," she whispered, barely audible over the noise. "What are we doing?""Four! Three!"He leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear. "Living in the moment, Soph.""Two! One!"The world exploded into a chaos of cheers and flying streamers. B
Jake's grip on her hand was firm as they burst out of the club into the cool night air. Sophia's laughter echoed off the buildings, her heart racing with anticipation."Eager much?" she teased, stumbling slightly in her heels as Jake set a brisk pace.He shot her a look that was pure heat. "You have no idea."The ten-minute walk to his flat flew by in a blur of stolen kisses and playful banter. Sophia's skin tingled everywhere Jake touched her, the promise of what was to come making her pulse quicken.As they reached his door, Jake fumbled with the keys, cursing under his breath. Sophia pressed herself against his back, her lips grazing his neck."Having trouble there, Surfer Boy?" she murmured.
Sophia's head spun as Oscar's tongue tangled with hers, tasting of whiskey and desire. His stubble rasped against her skin, a delicious contrast to the softness of his lips. She moaned into the kiss, her hands coming up to tangle in his dark hair."Fuck," Oscar growled against her mouth. "You taste even better than I imagined."Heat pooled low in Sophia's belly at his words. She nipped at his bottom lip, drawing a groan from him."Less talking, more action," she demanded breathlessly.Oscar chuckled, the sound sending vibrations through her body where they were pressed together. "So impatient," he murmured, trailing kisses along her jaw. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I plan to take my time with you."His lips found th
Sunlight stabbed through a gap in the curtains, piercing Sophia's eyelids like shards of glass. She groaned, trying to roll away from the offending brightness, only to find herself trapped in a tangle of limbs and sheets."Good morning, little one," Jake's voice rumbled from somewhere above her head, far too chipper for her pounding skull.Sophia cracked open one eye, immediately regretting it as the world swam into fuzzy focus. She was sprawled across Jake's chest, with Oscar's arm draped heavily over her waist. The events of last night came rushing back in a blur of heated skin and tangled bodies."How the fuck are you so cheerful?" she croaked, her throat raw. "I feel like I've been hit by a bus and my mouth tastes like the tequila died in it."Jake chuckled, th
The late afternoon sun slanted through Sophia's bedroom window, casting long shadows across her rumpled sheets. She groaned and rolled over, her head pounding. The events of last night crashed over her in waves - Jake's hands on her hips, Oscar's lips on her neck, their bodies moving in tandem."Fuck," she muttered, rubbing her temples. What had seemed like a brilliant idea in the heat of the moment now left a sour taste in her mouth. Or maybe that was just the tequila.Sophia fumbled for her phone on the nightstand, squinting at the screen. Three missed calls from Jake. She tossed it aside with a huff."Way to go, Soph. Real classy," she grumbled to herself. Her stomach churned, a toxic mix of hangover and regret.She dragged herself out of bed and stumbled to the bathr
The words hit Sophia like a slap. She opened her mouth to argue, but nothing came out. Instead, she felt a surge of panic rising in her chest. "I can't," she whispered. "I can't risk it. What if I tell him and he laughs? Or worse, what if he pities me?"Amy squeezed her hand. "What if he feels the same way and you're both too chickenshit to admit it?"Sophia's heart raced at the possibility. Could Jake want more too? The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.Sophia shook her head vigorously, auburn curls bouncing. "No, no, I can't do this. I just can't." Her voice cracked, betraying the storm of emotions raging inside her.Emily sighed, exasperated. "Soph, what's the worst that could happen?""He could reject me, Em!" So
Jake's living room was a mess of empty beer bottles and takeout containers. He slumped on the couch, head in his hands, elbows digging into his knees. His usually tousled hair was a disaster, like he'd been running his fingers through it non-stop."She regrets it, I know she does," Jake muttered, his voice rough. "This has fucked it all up."Oscar leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed. His eyes, sharper than Jake's unfocused gaze, tracked his brother's nervous movements. "You don't know that, lil bro," he said, his tone measured. "You need to talk to her, tell her she means more to you than just a quick fuck."Jake's head snapped up, eyes blazing. "Of course she means more! Fuck, Oscar, I'm not you."Oscar's eyebrow quirked. "The hell's that supposed to mean?"
Freya pocketed her phone with a mix of relief and frustration. Dan would have to wait. She hurried to bay three, where an elderly man was complaining of chest pains. As she assessed him, her mind kept drifting back to Dan's text.'Focus, Freya,' she chided herself. 'Lives to save, remember?'But even as she ordered an ECG, a part of her was composing replies in her head. By the time she finished with the patient, she'd settled on a response. She pulled out her phone.Freya: I think you're fishing for compliments, Sergeant Foster. But don't worry, your ego is safe with me.She hit send, then immediately second-guessed herself. Too coy? Not flirty enough? Before she could overthink it further, another trauma came in. Freya pocketed her phone and rushed to
The harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor made Freya's eyes ache as she slumped onto a chair in the staff break room. She'd been on her feet for five hours straight, dealing with everything from a kid who'd shoved a Lego up his nose to a drunk who'd managed to dislocate his own shoulder while attempting to recreate a TikTok dance.Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Freya fished it out, expecting another text from Emily demanding more gossip. Instead, her heart did a little flip when she saw Dan's name on the screen.Dan: Enjoyed our lunch, Doctor Anderson. Counting down the days until Wednesday. Hope you're not stitching up too many idiots tonight.A grin spread across Freya's face as she typed her reply.Freya: The night is you
Freya hated that he was right. She was already looking forward to Wednesday, and it was only Sunday. Get a grip, Anderson, she chided herself. Out loud, she said, "We'll see about that, Sergeant Foster. I've still got time to come to my senses."Dan's smirk widened, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief. "Come on, Doc. We both know you're dying to see what I look like when I'm not bleeding all over your A&E."Freya rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched with amusement. "Maybe I just want to make sure you can go a whole evening without needing medical attention," she shot back.She took a sip of her drink, using the moment to gather her thoughts. Part of her wanted to play it cool, to not let Dan see how much she was looking forward to their date. But another part, a louder part, was tired of the games.
Freya's apartment looked like a fashion bomb had detonated. Clothes were strewn across every surface, a chaotic testament to her indecision. She stood in front of her mirror, critically eyeing the yellow knee-length dress she'd finally settled on."Fuck," she muttered, running a hand through her short auburn hair. "When did I turn into such a goddamn teenager?"Her phone buzzed, Emily's name flashing on the screen.Freya: Can't talk. About to leave for lunch with Dan.Emily: Get it, girl! 🔥Freya: Christ, Em. It's just lunch.Emily: At the Rusty Anchor. "Just lunch" my ass.
As they waited for Emily to bring the car around, Freya found herself studying Dan's profile. The dim bar lighting cast shadows across his face, highlighting the strong line of his jaw. She mentally shook herself. Focus, Anderson."You know," Dan said, breaking into her thoughts, "this wasn't exactly how I planned on spending more time with you tonight."Freya raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what exactly did you have in mind?"Dan's grin was both charming and infuriating. "Well, it involved a lot less blood and a lot more dancing.""Smooth talker," Freya muttered, ignoring the warmth spreading through her chest. "Save it for someone who isn't about to be elbow-deep in your arm, yeah?"Freya hesitated for a moment, her
The car pulled up to the bar, its neon sign casting a blue glow across their faces. As they climbed out, the crisp night air hit Freya like a slap, chasing away the last dregs of her earlier exhaustion.Dan sidled up next to her, his voice low. "Grab a drink with me?"Freya's pulse quickened. She glanced at Emily, catching the knowing smirk on her friend's face. Fuck it, she thought. "Sure, why not?"They pushed through the crowded entrance, the bass thumping through Freya's chest. She couldn't help but notice how Dan's hand hovered near the small of her back, not quite touching but close enough to send tingles up her spine."What's your poison?" Dan asked, leaning in close to be heard over the music.Freya grinned, a wicked glint in her eye. "Surprise me. Just nothing that'll land me in my own A&E, yeah?"Dan laughed, a rich sound that cut through the noise. "No glass shards, got it. One non-lethal surprise, coming up."As he turned towards the bar, Freya caught Emily's gaze across t
Freya shook her head, chuckling despite herself. "You know, you were one of only two sober people I had come through last night." She paused, remembering the bizarre parade of drunken mishaps. "The other poor bastard fell down the stairs and broke his ankle. Stone-cold sober, just spectacularly clumsy."Dan raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "So what you're saying is, I was the most interesting patient you had all night?""Don't flatter yourself," Freya retorted, fighting back a grin. "I'd take clumsy stair guy over your macho bar fight nonsense any day."She could feel Emily's eyes on her in the rearview mirror, practically radiating smugness. Freya studiously avoided her friend's gaze, focusing instead on the passing streetlights of Seabridge. The familiar scent of salt and p
Freya's bedroom was dark and quiet, the blackout curtains doing their job to keep out the morning sun. She collapsed onto her bed, not even bothering to change out of her clothes. As she drifted off, her last coherent thought was of Dan's hand in hers as she'd examined his cuts.Seven hours later, Freya's eyes cracked open, her body protesting the meagre amount of sleep. She fumbled for her phone, squinting at the bright screen. 1:07 PM glared back at her, along with a string of notifications. One name jumped out: Emily.Freya swiped open the message, her heart rate picking up slightly.Emily: Heard through the grapevine (aka Lucas) that you played Florence Nightingale to our favorite ex-army medic last night. Spill the tea, darling! 🍵👀
Ten minutes later, Freya leaned back, surveying her handiwork. Dan's arm looked like a patchwork quilt of gauze and sutures, but the bleeding had stopped and the worst of the damage was dealt with."All done," she announced, peeling off her gloves with a satisfying snap. "Keep those dressings on for a couple days. The stitches will dissolve in about a week." She paused, a wry smile playing on her lips. "But I'm sure you know that already, Mr. Army Medic."Dan flexed his arm experimentally, wincing slightly. "It's been a while since I've been on this side of things," he admitted. "Forgot how much it sucks."Freya snorted, her eyes dancing with amusement. "What, getting sliced up by flying bottles isn't your idea of a good time? And here I thought you military types were all about the danger."