Nocturn Blue

Honeyed Neon Continued

This time, she didn’t stop at the bar first.

Nope.

Apparently, tonight she was making choices.

Thea walked straight to their table.

The blond one, looked up first, a grin already forming like he knew this was going to be good.

Dark hair followed a second later. Steady. Unhurried.

Exactly the same.

“Hey,” Thea said, stopping just at the edge of their table like she hadn’t absolutely planned this out for the last ten seconds. “Do you guys want a shot? Because they won’t leave me alone, until I talk with you longer.”

She nodded back toward her table.

Blond glanced over, then chuckled. “They look persistent.”

“That’s a nice way of putting it.”

Dark Hair’s gaze stayed on her. “Whatever you want to get us.”

Of course. Of course that was his answer.

Thea nodded once. “Great answer. You’re getting a buttery nipple.”

The blond laughed outright.

Dark Hair just watched her, that almost-smile back in place.

“Bold choice,” he said.

“I prefer memorable.” she shot back, already turning.

She went up to the bar and ordered her three shots. The bartender didn’t even question it. Three shots. Questionable. Suspiciously creamy.

Exactly what she deserved for this decision.

She set them down at the table.

Dark hair shifted slightly, moving just enough to make space beside him. She took it.

They each grabbed a shot glass.

“Cheers,” she said, like this was normal.

It wasn’t.

Blond picked his up immediately. “To… whatever this is.”

“To questionable decisions,” Thea corrected.

Dark Hair’s eyes flicked to hers as he lifted his glass. “Those are usually the best ones.”

They took the shots.

Thea didn’t think about it – just tossed it back quick. The shot was thick and sweet, like drinking alcoholic butterscotch. It was a terrible choice. Nope scratch that, it was a perfect choice.

“Okay,” she said, like she hadn’t just done that. “I’m Thea, by the way.”

“Kael.”

“Thoryn.”

Of course his name fit him.

Of course it did. It sounded like something old and heavy, like iron and smoke and danger.

Then Thoryn reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and slid it across the table toward her.

“Here,” he said. “I need your number.”

Not asked.

Not hesitant.

Just decided.

Thea looked at the phone.

Then at him.

Then back at the phone.

This is either very smart or very dumb.

Probably both.

She picked it up.

“Confident,” she murmured.

“Usually right,” he replied.

God, he was annoyingly confident.

She hated that. Or maybe she loved it. Probably both.

Thea added her contact, thumbs moving quickly.

She paused.

How did she want this to go?

He seemed interested. She was definitely interested.

Might as well make it interesting.

She was a photographer, after all. She could add a little spice to a contact in a phone that would probably be forgotten after tonight.

She glanced up at him.

He was watching her.

Of course he was.

“Hold on,” she said.

She tapped the camera app, shifting slightly closer, close enough to catch the faint warmth of his skin, the same subtle scent from earlier ...

and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.

Snap.

The photo captured it.

Her lips just there.

His expression caught mid-surprise—like even he hadn’t seen that one coming.

She could never let anyone know she took this photo.

It would absolutely ruin her image as an award-winning photographer.

Perfect.

Thea pulled back like nothing had happened, entirely too pleased with herself.

She added the photo to her contact.

Saved.

Set.

She slid the phone back to him.

“So you remember me tomorrow.”

Kael made a choking noise.

Thoryn just looked at her. – like he was trying to decide if he should let her walk away or pull her back right now.

Thea scooped up the empty shot glasses – a habit of not liking to leave a mess behind and slid out of her seat.

“Night, boys.”

And then she turned.

Walked away.

“Back” Thea said smoothly.

Margo narrowed her eyes. “Ok, we need details.”

Bri was already grinning. “Oh she did something.”

Thea took a sip of her drink, calm. Collected. Completely unbothered.

“I got the shot,” she said.

“For who?” Jess pressed, leaning in like she was hunting for gold

“For… everyone? It’s what you wanted, right,” Thea said vaguely, gesturing to the empty space she’d just left. She was thinking of the buttery n*****s. Bri was thinking of a wedding announcement.

Margo stared at her. “Yes and?”

Bri leaned forward. “Why are you smiling?”

“I’m not.”

“You absolutely are.”

Thea took a sip of her drink.

Calm. Collected. Or at least pretending to be, because her heart was currently hammering a rhythm that was faster and louder than the bass thrumming through the floorboards.

Her phone buzzed against the wood, the vibration rattling the empty glasses on the table. All four of them froze. In the neon-soaked chaos of the bar, that tiny sound felt like a gunshot.

All four of them froze.

Thea glanced down.

Unknown number.

Margo leaned over instantly. “Oh, he didn’t waste any time.”

Jess made a noise. “Open it.”

Thea unlocked her phone.

One message.

A photo.

Her breath caught for half a second.

It was the picture.

The one she had taken her lips just brushing his cheek, his expression caught mid-surprise. The lighting hit just right, all warm gold and shadow, like it belonged in something far more intentional than a bar on a Thursday night.

Under it:

Thought you might like the photo.

Thea felt something stupid and warm settle low in her chest.

Annoying.

She typed back quickly.

Thank you.

Thea locked her phone, her thumb slightly unsteady against the screen. She looked calm, she looked collected, but the warmth in her chest was spreading, competing with the tequila and the heat of the crowd.

Jess grabbed her arm. “What is it.”

Thea held the phone up just enough for them to see.

All three of them leaned in.

There was a collective pause.

“Oh my god,” Bri breathed.

Margo looked personally offended. “You kissed him?”

Jess turned slowly. “You kissed him.”

Thea shrugged, entirely too casual. “It felt right.”

“It felt right,” Jess repeated, like she was trying to process it.

Margo pointed at her. “You are insane.”

“Correct,” Thea said.

Bri was still staring at the photo. “That is… aggressively attractive.”

“That’s not helpful,” Thea muttered.

Jess looked between her and the phone. “Okay, so you got his number.”

Margo nodded. “Impressive.”

Bri grinned. “Truly.”

A beat.

Jess leaned in. “So what are you going to do with it?”

Thea blinked. “Nothing.”

Margo scoffed. “Nothing?”

“You’re just going to… have his number?” Bri added.

“Yes,” Thea said, like that was obvious.

Jess tilted her head. “So you’re not going to text him?”

“No.”

“Invite him back to your place?” Margo added.

Thea choked on her drink. “I ...no?!”

Bri shrugged. “It’s an option.”

“It is not an option.”

Jess waved a hand. “Okay, fine. Not your place. His place.”

“That’s worse.”

“Is it?” Margo asked.

“Yes,” Thea said firmly.

A pause.

Jess leaned closer. “So what are you going to text him?”

Thea stared at her.

“I’m not ...”

Margo cut in. “You have to text him.”

Bri nodded. “Immediately.”

Thea looked between them. “You guys are insufferable.”

“Correct,” Jess said.

Thea sighed, dragging a hand through her hair. “Fine. What do I even say?”

All three of them lit up.

“Oh my god,” Jess said. “We’re writing this.”

Margo leaned in. “Absolutely not, she’s going to scare him off.”

“I will not ...”

Bri grabbed her arm. “Okay wait ...something casual.”

Jess shook her head. “No, something memorable.”

Margo pointed at the phone. “You already kissed him, you can’t go casual now.”

Thea groaned. “I hate all of you.”

“Love you too,” Jess said. “Now open the messages.”

Jess grabbed Thea’s phone. “Okay, we need something that says interested, but not desperate.”

Margo leaned in. “Confident, but not too confident.”

Bri nodded. “Memorable.”

Thea stared at all of them. “You guys are making this worse.”

“I am not ...” Jess started.

Her phone buzzed.

All four of them froze.

Slowly, Thea reached for it.

New message.

From him.

Jess whispered, “Oh my god, he’s texting first.”

Thea opened it.

So we hanging out after the bar tonight, or are you going to disappear?

Thea blinked.

Margo made a noise. “Oh, I like him.”

Jess looked offended. “We didn’t even get to craft the message.”

Bri grinned. “He said, ‘I’ll do it myself.’”

Thea stared at the screen.

Confident. Direct. No hesitation.

Of course.

Jess leaned in. “Okay, don’t answer right away.”

Margo shook her head. “No, answer right away. Match his energy.”

Bri pointed. “But not too eager.”

“Not too slow either ... ”

“You don’t want to seem—”

Thea held up a hand. “Stop.”

They did not stop.

“Something casual ... ”

“No, something bold—”

“Flirty but mysterious ...”

Thea tuned them out.

Looked at the message again.

Smiled.

Then typed.

We can hang out. You can walk me home.

She hit send before she could overthink it.

Jess gasped. “You sent it?!”

Margo blinked. “That was fast.”

Bri grinned. “Oh that was good.”

Thea set her phone down, picking up her drink like nothing had just happened.

“I handled it.”

Jess stared at her. “You didn’t even consult us.”

“I didn’t need to.”

Her phone buzzed again.

Immediate.

Margo leaned in. “Oh, he’s quick.”

Thea picked it up.

Perfect. Let me know when you’re ready to leave, Beautiful.

Thea felt that stupid, warm thing settle in her chest again.

Annoying. Entirely too effective. Exactly what she wanted.

Jess dropped her head onto the table. “I hate him.”

Margo shook her head. “No, you don’t.”

Bri smiled. “No, we don’t.”

Thea took a slow sip of her drink, the liquid catching the neon blue light as she tried – and failed – to hide the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.