Nocturn Blue

You cut through the crowd like a warning sign Gold in the dark under flashing lights Don’t know your name, don’t need to yet Honeyed Neon – Constellate – Nocturn Blue – Thoryn The bar was busier than normal on this Thursday night, but we had still managed to snag our favorite high top. Jess was thinking it was because of the concert in town. The three of them were going, Thea was not. She didn’t see the value of going to a concert when she knew one song. And that song was against her will because it was on the radio and on her Spotify almost all the time. This had been the only night the girls could get together to celebrate Bri’s engagement last weekend to Charles. Aligning 4 women and their schedules probably needed divine intervention. They could have met up on Saturday, their normal night for coming here, to play darts and drink, but that meant boyfriends and guy drama and this was not about guys. Well, ok, maybe a little bit about guys, because one had put a ring on a finger, but anyway. “ – I’m just saying,” Bri was laughing, holding her left hand out like it needed it’s own spotlight, the diamond catching every flicker of amber light, “If he thinks I’m planning this whole thing by myself –“ “He absolutely does,” Margo cut in, lifting her drink. “Men are delusional.” Jess snorted. “Oh, he 100% thinks you’re just going to ‘vibe’ it out.” “He thinks you are just going to tell him a date and time and everything will magically appear.” Thea offered, finishing the last of her drink. Bri groaned. “I hate all of you.” Thea leaned against the high top, her forearms resting on the cool, slightly tacky wood. The table vibrated with the low thrum of the bass, a steady pulse that felt like the room’s own heartbeat. Around them, the bar was a roar of shouting voices and clattering ice, but here, it was just the familiar melody of Bri’s giggle and the rhythmic clink of Jess’s rings against her glass. Smiling at her friends, she felt the easy, golden warmth of the night. This was good. No pressure, no expectations, just a night that was normal and happy. “Hey,” Jess said suddenly, her voice dropping just enough to cut through the chaos. “Thea.” Thea hummed, still half listening to Bri complain about centerpieces. “Don’t be weird,” Jess added already sounding like she was about to make it weird. That got her attention, Thea glanced over. “You’ve never said that and meant something normal.” Jess leaned in, eyes gleaming. “Two guys. Corner. Dark-haired one has been checking you out for the last ten minutes.” Margo immediately twisted in her seat. “Where?” “Don’t turn. “ Jess hissed, too late. All three of them looked. Thea sighed, because of course they did. And of course she did. She looked. Corner table, Slightly removed from the worst of the noise but still very much part of the room. Two men. Drinks mostly untouched, enough to suggest they weren’t there to get drunk. The first one – broad, blond, laughing at something, relaxed in a way that made him seem approachable. The second - dark hair, sharp jaw. Leaned back just enough to look like he owned the chair, the table, hell maybe the entire bar. There was something controlled about him. Not stiff – no, not that. Just deliberate. Like every movement was chosen. And his eyes ... He was already looking at her. Not caught, not surprised, just there. Like he had been waiting for her to notice. Thea glances back at her friends. Ok, this was fine, she knew how to flirt with guys across the room right? She goes nope, only that silly t****k thing where you make faces came up. So that wouldn’t work. Jess made a small, victorious noise. “Oh he’s hot.” “Very,” Margo agreed immediately. Bri leaned across the table. “That is a dangerous man.” “And we avoid dangerous men.” Thea said. Jess points at her. “No, we get their number and take them for a ride.” Margo nods. “You are going to go and get the next round, walk by him and just happen to walk by their table.” Thea blinked. “I ... what?” Jess nodded. “You need to get laid and we are going to make sure that happens, with a hot stranger in a bar.” “I am not going over there.” Thea said, even as she got up and grabbed her wallet. “I’m just going to get drinks. That’s it.” Jess smiled. “Sure.” “Absolutely nothing else.” Margo giggled. “No flirting.” Bri added. “Obviously.” Thea said as she walked away from them. Thea shifted her weight at the bar, pretending to study the menu like she might suddenly become a whiskey person. She wasn’t. She was here for tequila soda. In, out, done. Easy. Except ... He stepped up next to her. And that was a problem. Because up close? Up close he was ridiculous. Not just good-looking — offensively so. Dark hair, sharp jaw, broad shoulders under a plain shirt that had no business fitting that well and he smelled good. Subtle. Warm. Not trying too hard. Thea blinked. I am not one of those girls who smells people. That’s weird. She looked at him anyway. “Hi.” He turned, eyes already steady on hers like he’d expected it. “Hi.” Okay. Normal. This was normal. She nodded once, then (because her brain had apparently clocked out) “Come here often?” Oh no. Thea pressed her lips together immediately, fighting a smile. That was so bad. He paused. Then his mouth curved, slow and easy. “Nope,” he said. “First time.” Of course. She nodded like that confirmed something important. “Yeah. I didn’t think you were a regular.” His brow lifted slightly. “No?” “No.” She gestured vaguely around the room. “You don’t have the vibe.” “That so?” “Mhm.” “What’s the vibe?” She considered for a second. “You look like you know where the exits are.” That pulled a quiet laugh from him. “Just visiting,” he said. Of course he was. Thea nodded again. “Makes sense.” A beat settled between them, not awkward. Just… there. He shifted slightly, angling toward her. “What are you all celebrating?” She glanced back at the table. Jess was fully staring. Margo had given up pretending not to. Bri was glowing, her ring catching the light every time she moved. “The redhead,” Thea said, tilting her chin toward Bri. “She just got engaged.” “Congratulations to her.” “I’ll pass it along.” The bartender slid over then. “What can I get you?” “Four tequila sodas,” Thea said. “A rum and coke,” the man beside her added. Of course. Simple. Controlled. The bartender nodded and moved off. Thea glanced at him. “Reliable choice.” “Usually is.” “Safe.” His eyes flicked to hers. “You play it safe?” She huffed softly. “I just used the worst pickup line in existence, so I feel like that answers itself.” “It does.” She narrowed her eyes. “And?” “And I’m still talking to you.” That landed. Annoying. Thea leaned an elbow on the bar. “So are you always this confident, or is that just a ‘visiting’ thing?” “Depends.” “On?” “You.” She blinked. Okay. Okay. The drinks arrived then, four glasses lined up neatly in front of her. Thea grabbed two easily, then the other two, balancing them like she’d done this a hundred times before. Because she had. She didn’t look at him again. Didn’t give herself the chance to linger. “Bye, stranger,” she said, already turning away. There was the slightest pause behind her. “Bye, beautiful.” It wasn’t loud. Didn’t need to be. It still hit like it was. Thea kept walking. Absolutely did not react. Did not smile. Did not feel that stupid little flutter in her chest. Nope. Not at all. Jess leaned across the table the second she got back. “What did he say?” “Nothing,” Thea said smoothly, setting the drinks down. Margo narrowed her eyes. “You’re lying.” Bri grinned. “Oh she’s lying.” Thea took a sip of her drink like she hadn’t just been called beautiful by a man who looked like that. “I got the drinks,” she said. “That was the mission.” Jess leaned back, unconvinced. “Mmhm.” Thea ignored her. Ignored all of them. Ignored the very real urge to turn around and see if he was still looking. She didn’t. She wasn’t going to. She absolutely did—and it was a mistake. Because he was back at the table with his friend. Smiling. Looking right at her. Fuck. Those eyes were going to get her in trouble. Thea made it exactly three sips into her drink before Jess leaned in. “You are the worst at flirting.” Thea didn’t even look at her. “Please,” she said, offended. “I am amazing, and you know it.” Margo snorted. “What did you open with—‘Aside from being sexy, what do you do for a living?’” “No,” Thea said, taking a sip. “I said, ‘Come here often.’” The table went silent for half a second. Then— The girls cackled. Bri slapped the table. “You did not—that’s terrible!” “It was ironic.” “It was painful,” Margo corrected. “He didn’t seem to mind.” Thea countered. Bri laughed, holding up her hand again like she needed to remind everyone she was engaged. “We need a shot.” “Oh absolutely,” Jess agreed immediately. “For the bride.” Thea pointed at them. “You guys are already tipsy.” “And we’re about to be more tipsy,” Margo said. “Go get a shot.” Thea narrowed her eyes. “You can go get a shot.” Jess shook her head. “No, no. You are going to go back over there and order one.” Thea blinked. “I—what? No.” “Yes,” Bri said sweetly. “Because you’re going to go talk to him.” “I already talked to him.” Jess tilted her head. “You said four words.” “It was a full conversation.” “It was a drive-by,” Margo corrected. Thea crossed her arms. “It was fine.” Jess leaned in. “It was unfinished.” Bri smiled. “And we hate unfinished things.” Thea looked between them. “You’re all ridiculous.” “Correct,” Jess said. “Now go.” Thea didn’t move. Jess leaned in, lowering her voice. “Listen carefully. You’re getting one shot. You go over there. You talk to him.” “And then I come back.” “Or,” Margo cut in, “you come back with his number.” Thea scoffed. “That’s not happening.” Bri took a sip of her drink. “Great. Then we’ll just keep sending you back.” Thea paused. “…What?” Jess smiled, slow and evil. “One shot at a time.” Margo nodded. “We are very patient.” Bri lifted her glass. “And very committed.” Thea looked between them. Horrified. “You wouldn’t.” Jess didn’t even blink. “Try us.” A beat. Thea grabbed her wallet, sliding off the stool. “Shots,” she muttered. “I’m getting one shot.” “Mhmm,” Margo said. “Totally normal,” Bri added. Jess just grinned. Traitors.