Mikayla POV
By the time the car pulled up outside the bar, my body was already humming. Izzy and Tripp were lost in their own bubble, but my world narrowed to one thing—Rafe. Neon light spilled across the window. The bass from inside the bar was just a muffled thump through the car doors—until Rafe swung mine open and the night air rushed in, cool and sharp, the sound suddenly louder and closer. And just like that, I wasn’t sure if the rush in my chest came from the music or from the way his hand reached for mine. The faint curve of his lips, the intensity in his eyes—made my heart race. As I stepped out, I caught Tripp’s gaze. His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing just enough to make my stomach dip. Was that suspicion—or just my imagination?
“Thank you,” I smiled as I slipped my hand fr
