Shirley
The bar was louder than usual that night, the kind of restless energy that seeped into bones and made everything feel sharper. Glasses clinked, laughter rose in bursts, and the low hum of bikes outside carried like a warning. But none of that distracted me from the way Talon kept sneaking glances at Cassandra.
It was almost comical—almost—if Cassandra didn’t look so determined to avoid noticing. Her hands were steady as she carried trays, but every now and then I saw her eyes flicker, just briefly, in Talon’s direction. Then she’d clamp her jaw and focus harder on whatever customer was in front of her.
I leaned against the counter, watching the dance between them like I was privy to a secret no one else dared to say out loud.
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Cass,” I cal
