Marco didn't take her far.
Just a few streets down, past glowing signs and laughing crowds, until they stopped in front of a place lit with warm golden lights.
Talia looked up at it.
"This is… a restaurant?"
Marco chuckled softly.
"Talia," he said, shaking his head. "Just follow me."
She raised a brow but went along anyway.
Inside, it looked like any other upscale restaurant — polished tables, low lighting, soft chatter.
But Marco didn't stop.
He guided her past the dining area, through a narrow hallway—And then—
The space opened.
The music hit her first.
Not loud.
Not overwhelming.
Just… smooth.
Deep beats mixed with soft melodies, filling the air like a heartbeat.
People were dancing.
Close.
Free.
Like nothing else mattered.
Talia's eyes widened slightly.
"Wow…"
She turned to Marco.
"This place is…"
"Yeah," he smiled. "I know."
The lights shifted softly over the crowd, colors blending — blue, purple, gold.
No chaos.
No pressure.
Just rhythm.
"Come on," Marco said, holding out his hand. "Let's dance."
Talia hesitated for half a second.
Then placed her hand in his.
His grip was warm.
Steady.
He pulled her gently into the crowd, not rushing, just guiding.
At first, she was stiff.
Unsure.
But Marco didn't push.
He moved with the music, slow, controlled, giving her space to follow.
"Relax," he murmured, leaning slightly closer. "You think too much."
She let out a small breath.
Then—She let go.
Her body started to move with the rhythm, slowly at first, then easier.
The music wrapped around her, pulling her in, drowning out everything else.
For a moment—She forgot.
Marco smiled, watching her.
"See?" he said softly. "Not so bad."
Talia laughed.
"Okay… maybe not."
As they danced, his hand shifted lightly to her waist — not forceful, just there.
Grounding.
She didn't pull away.
The crowd moved around them, lost in their own worlds.
But then—
Talia's eyes drifted.
And she saw him.
A familiar face.
Across the room.
Half-hidden in the shifting lights.
Her breath caught.
Her movement slowed.
Jace?
But when she looked again—The face turned.
Different.
Not him.
Just someone who looked like him.
Her chest tightened anyway.
"Hey…" Marco's voice brought her back. "You okay?"
Talia blinked.
"Yeah. Just… thought I saw someone."
He studied her for a second.
Then nodded.
"Stay here," he said softly. "With me."
She did.
But something had shifted.
The music still played.
The lights still glowed.
Marco was still there—Close.
Present.
Real.
But part of her…
Was somewhere else.
Later, outside, the night air felt cooler.
Quieter.
They stood near her dorm building.
Neither speaking for a moment.
Marco stepped a little closer.
"Tonight was good," he said.
Talia nodded.
"Yeah… it was."
He looked at her, searching her face.
Then gently—He leaned in.
Their lips met.
Soft.
Careful.
Not rushed.
It wasn't awkward.
It wasn't bad.
But—It wasn't anything.
No spark.
No pull.
No fire.
Just… a moment.
When they pulled apart, Marco smiled slightly.
"Goodnight, Talia."
"Goodnight, Marco."
She watched him walk away.
Then turned toward her dorm.
As she walked, her fingers brushed her lips lightly.
Trying to feel something.
Anything.
But there was nothing there.
And that's when it hit her.
The last time she felt something real—
Something intense—Something she couldn't ignore—Was with him.
Jace.
Talia stopped walking.
Just for a second.
Then shook her head slightly and kept going.
Because whatever that was—
She wasn't ready to face it again.