Until You Found Me

Hazel's POV It was starting to get dark when we decided to stroll a bit to take a look at the city. Jack walked beside me, tall and quiet, one hand in his pocket. Our steps were in sync, elbows occasionally brushing, sending tiny shockwaves up my arm. He didn’t react, didn't seem to notice. Or maybe he did, and he was just better at hiding it. Introverts, I swear. We turned a corner and landed in front of this bar where music poured out into the street, lights blinked in the windows. There were people everywhere, drinking, laughing, talking, dancing even though they weren’t inside yet. “Ooh!” I stop, clutching Jack’s arm. “This place looks so fun.” Jack eyed the scene. “It looks chaotic.” “That’s what makes it fun,” I said, dragging him toward the door before he could say no. Inside, the space was warm and packed. People danced and laughed like they had nowhere else to be. I felt instantly alive. “One drink,” Jack warned, looking like he was already regretting his life choices. “Five,” I replied, grinning. I ordered tequila. Jack, of course, asked for something boring and brown, whiskey, neat. I raised my glass. “To a wonderful night.” The tequila burned in the best way. First shot down. Then another. And another. The room started to feel warmer, my limbs looser, and Jack’s face... even more handsome than usual. “You’re not pacing yourself,” Jack said, watching me with a look that was part concern, part amusement. “I don’t want to pace. I want to feel everything.” “You’ll regret that,” he muttered. I dragged him toward the dance floor anyway. He resisted. “I don’t dance.” “Neither do I.” I twirled. “But look at me go.” I started dancing, badly, and didn’t care one bit. The music buzzed through my skin. I lost track of time after that. The room was getting blurrier but brighter, if that makes any sense. Every time I glanced back, he was watching me, arms crossed, expression unreadable. I eventually made my way back to the bar. Another shot. Jack leaned close. “Hazel, that’s enough.” I rolled my eyes. “Oh, come on. You’re not the fun police.” He didn’t respond, just gently took the shot and set it down. I leaned in, hands sliding up his arm. I wrapped my arms around his neck, standing way too close. “You know,” I slurred, “you’re very, very pretty for a man who codes for a living.” He chuckled, low and warm. “You’re drunk.” “I’m not drunk,” I said. “I’m inspired.” “You need water.” “I need you.” That definitely got his attention. His eyes darkened for a split second, like maybe he was fighting something off. I leaned up on my toes, lips inches from his. “I want to kiss you.” “Hazel…” he said softly like a warning. The way he said my name gave me butterflies. “I bet you’re not always like this,” I said softly. I was already moving closer. I could feel the heat off his skin. But he wasn’t moving away. Just watching me with that same unreadable expression that made my heart race. I didn’t stop talking. “You’re so calm, it’s driving me crazy.” He exhaled slowly. “We should go.” “I’m not finished…” “You will be. Come on.” Everything after that is a series of chaotic snapshots. The two of us in the elevator, me babbling nonsense, him quiet but smiling softly. The way I pressed all the buttons just to make the ride longer. Leaning against him, my hands on his shoulders. His arm around my waist to keep me steady. Then the bed. Jack catching me as I fell back. Him hovering over me. His face inches from mine. My laugh echoing in the quiet room. And then, nothing. --- I woke up with the worst headache of my life. I groaned and rolled over. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar, so was the sleek, expensive room. Definitely not a place I’ve ever been, unless you count dreams. “Oh no.” Panic started crawling up my throat. I sat up too fast and immediately regretted it. My head spun, my stomach flipped, and I realized, with a sinking feeling, I was in my underwear. My clothes were neatly placed on the nearby couch, shoes on the floor beside it. Oh God. My brain scrambled for details. The memory fragments hit me like a broken slideshow. The bar. The dancing. Me clinging to him. The elevator. Us falling onto the bed. His body over mine. That look in his eyes. Panic hit me in waves. I was in Jack’s bed. Jack Alfred. Tech billionaire. Serious face. Killer jawline. Did we…? My entire body flushed hot with shame. I couldn’t remember anything after that. I had no idea how far it went. But it felt far enough to panic. The sound of running water filtered in from the bathroom. The shower. He was in there. I jumped out of bed like it was on fire. My pulse hammered in my ears. I didn’t know if he’d hear me, or if I even wanted to see him. I quickly got dressed, grabbed my shoes and bag and crept out the door before I could even think about what I’d say to him if he came out and saw me standing there. I wasn’t ready for whatever conversation might follow. The elevator ride down was the longest thirty seconds of my life. When I reached my own room, I locked the door behind me and leaned against it, heart still racing. What the hell had I done? I dropped my shoes and collapsed onto the bed. I buried my face in the pillow. My skin smelled like his cologne. Every breath reminded me of him. I couldn’t even remember if I’d wanted it to happen or if I’d just been too drunk to stop myself. Either way, it felt like I’d crossed a line I couldn’t uncross. Suddenly, my phone rang, startling me. I fished it out of my bag and stared at the screen in confusion. Why was she calling?