Curtis stood in front of the mirror, buttoning the sleek black pique shirt Allie had picked out for him. It fit perfectly — crisp collar, fabric hugging his frame just enough to hint at his toned shoulders. For once, he didn't look like the quiet, distant guy from accounting. He looked… confident. Effortless.
The mirror reflected someone new — someone ready to step out of his routine.
His phone buzzed.
Jonah: About to go? Have fun. Get the girl.
Curtis smiled faintly, thumbs moving fast.
Curtis: You sure you don't want to come?
Jonah: Nope. It's your time to shine. You don't need me stealing all the ladies' attention.
Curtis chuckled.
Curtis: True. TTYL.
Jonah: And hey—if you need advice about the ladies, text me. 😂
Shaking his head, Curtis slid the phone into his pocket, gave himself one last look, and exhaled. "You got this," he muttered. Then he grabbed his jacket and headed out.
Across town…
Music thundered from a Bluetooth speaker as Clarisse and Allie danced around the living room in their face masks and pajamas. Laughter filled the apartment — loud, unrestrained, pure.
"Omg, Allie!" Clarisse gasped between laughs. "We should do this more often. The last time we had a sleepover was high school."
"Yup," Allie said, fixing Clarisse's face mask with exaggerated seriousness. "Adulting is exhausting. We deserve this."
Clarisse flopped onto the couch, humming off-key. Allie sat beside her, absently reading the label on a serum bottle — but her eyes had gone distant.
"Earth to Allie!" Clarisse yelled, waving a hand in front of her.
Allie blinked, startled. "Huh? What?"
"Oh, I know that look," Clarisse teased, eyes narrowing. "You're thinking about someone."
Allie tried to deny it, shaking her head — but Clarisse just arched a brow.
"Fine," Allie admitted, pouting. "I'm just… wondering how he's doing. Nothing else."
Clarisse burst out laughing. "Girl, you're the most devoted life coach I've ever seen. You deserve a bonus."
Allie rolled her eyes, trying not to smile.
Clarisse suddenly sat up, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Okay, hear me out. We've already done the pampering — now we put it to use. Let's go out! It's Friday, and I refuse to waste this glow-up."
Allie hesitated for a moment, then grinned. "You know what? Let's do it."
Clarisse raised her glass of wine in triumph. "That's my girl."
Later that night — TRYST Bar & Lounge.
The bass thrummed through the polished floorboards. Neon lights pulsed faintly along the marble bar, and the scent of whiskey and perfume lingered in the air.
At one of the VIP tables, Nadine sat with a few coworkers, her laughter easy but her eyes constantly darting toward the entrance.
She looked stunning tonight — a soft brown chiffon midi dress that caught the light when she moved, long sashes draping behind her shoulders, and her dark hair down in loose waves that brushed her collarbones.
When Curtis finally appeared, the air around the table shifted.
He looked effortless — the black shirt, dark jeans, and a quiet confidence that drew attention without him trying.
Nadine's face brightened instantly. "You made it!"
Curtis smiled and greeted everyone with polite warmth before taking the seat beside her.
"Whiskey, please," he told the waiter.
Nadine offered to pour his drink herself. "You clean up so well, Curtis," she said with a laugh that almost hid her nerves.
He thanked her, trying not to blush. For the first time, she was the one filling the silence while he listened — relaxed, smiling, actually enjoying himself.
For Nadine, that felt like victory. Across the bar, two new figures entered — and all heads turned.
Allie and Clarisse.
Clarisse shimmered in emerald, her backless dress catching the light. But Allie — Allie was sultry. Her black lace bustier mini dress paired with slouchy knee-high boots made her stand out in the crowd without even trying. Her hair was tousled perfectly, her skin warm under the glow of the lights.
They slid onto bar stools, pretending not to notice the group across the room.
"Okay, act natural," Clarisse whispered. "He has to be here somewhere."
Allie tried to play it cool, ordering two dirty martinis. "We're just here to relax, remember?"
Clarisse grinned. "Sure, sure. Totally not checking if your client is having fun."
Allie sipped her drink, eyes drifting to the corner where Curtis sat — and froze. He was there. Laughing. Talking. And sitting next to him, elegant and glowing, was Nadine.
Her stomach twisted unexpectedly.
At the KAIA table, one of the guys — Mark — had started drinking too fast. He leaned back in his chair, smirking toward Curtis.
"So, Harper," he drawled. "Didn't think you'd show. Guess you do have a life after all."
Curtis chuckled politely. "Guess so."
Mark's smirk sharpened. "Never figured you for a ladies' man either. I mean, no offense, man — you've got that quiet, math-club charm, you know?"
The table laughed. Nadine shot him a warning look, but Mark wasn't done.
"What was it people used to say?" he continued. "That you were probably—"
He didn't finish, because a sharp female voice cut in.
"Curtis Harper?"
Curtis turned — and time slowed.
Allie was standing there, martini glass in hand, looking like every man's distraction and every woman's warning. Clarisse hovered behind her, trying not to laugh.
"Curtis Harper," she repeated dramatically, pretending to scowl. "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, you walk into mine."
Curtis blinked, utterly thrown. "Allie—what—?"
She leaned closer, eyes twinkling with mischief. "You ghosted me. Stood me up. And here I thought I'd never see you again."
"I—what?"
She put a hand over his mouth. "Shh. You don't get to explain." Then she winked. "Lucky for you, I'm giving you a second chance."
The entire table had gone silent, staring. Nadine's expression faltered, confusion flickering across her face.
Clarisse stepped in, grabbing Allie's arm. "Alright, heartbreak queen, let's go. So many men, so little time."
Allie gave Curtis a playful smirk.
"Anyway, you have my number, Harper. Call me — if you're brave enough."
She turned, hair swishing as she walked away. Halfway to the door, she spun on her heel and blew him a kiss.
The table erupted — some in laughter, others in surprise.
Mark gawked. "Holy—dude! I take it back. You're a legend."
Curtis's jaw clenched as Mark clapped him on the back. "Didn't know you had it in you, man!"
"Don't," Curtis muttered, brushing past him.
Nadine quickly followed, placing a hand on his arm. "Are you okay?"
He exhaled, forcing a small smile. "Yeah. Just… forget it. She was joking."
But Nadine wasn't convinced.
Across the bar, Allie risked one last glance. Curtis was surrounded by laughter and chatter again, Nadine still close beside him. He looked fine. Perfect, even. So why did her chest hurt?
Later that night, back at her house, Allie showered away the noise of the evening. Steam fogged the mirror as she toweled her hair dry.
Her phone buzzed — a new email.
Subject: Job Offer – Rouge Tokyo HospitalityMessage: Congratulations! We're pleased to inform you that you've been selected as the Assistant Manager for our Executive Lounge in Japan.
She stared at it, numb.
A mix of disbelief, excitement — and a deep ache she couldn't explain.
Her phone rang again. Curtis.
"Allie," his voice came through, gentle and warm. "Just checking if you and Clarisse got home safe."
She swallowed. "Yeah. We're good. You?"
"Home now," he said. "And… thanks. For earlier. You saved me again."
Allie smiled faintly, her heart heavy. "Anytime, Kit."
They lingered in the silence before finally saying goodnight.
As the call ended, she set her phone down and sat at the edge of her bed. The city outside her window glowed softly.
She ran her thumb over the edge of the job offer email — Tokyo, a new start.
Maybe this was her sign.
Her story with Curtis… whatever it was, maybe it had run its course.
But her heart didn't seem to agree.