Page 143 of After All This Time

His grip is firm and possessive in a way that saysshe's mine, and I can't help but smile as we approach the line outside the club. The bouncer nods at Tobias, recognizing him instantly, and we're waved through like royalty.

"You know him?" I have to lean in close to be heard over the bass already vibrating through the sidewalk.

"Tattooed his entire chest a while back. Spent hours with the guy."

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "Yeah? What did he get?"

"Eagle wings," Tobias says, his grin growing. "Massive piece. Covered his whole chest and stretched up onto his shoulders. It took forever, but the guy sat like a rock."

The club is a swirl of shadow and neon, with bodies packed tight, moving to the beat of the music. Mirrors catch every flash of purple and blue light, and whoever decorated this place scattered flowers everywhere like they were trying to make chaos look pretty.

"You set a meeting place?" Tobias murmurs as he pauses mid-step, leaning into my ear.

"The bar," I shout back, and he drops a soft kiss on the top of my head before we keep moving through the sea of people.

I spot Harper and Logan, looking like they're living in their own little world.

"You're looking cozy there," I whisper in Harper's ear, causing her to spin around. Her face lights up for a split second before her eyes zero in on where Tobias's hand is linked with mine. Her gaze darts between us, and her lips quirk with that joyful little smile.

"Hey," she says, eyes dropping to our joined hands once again like she can't quite believe what she's seeing.

Logan, ever the gentleman, extends a hand to Tobias. "Good to see you again, man."

Tobias steps up, shaking his hand with that easy confidence he carries like a second skin.

"Drinks?" Harper chirps as she turns toward the bar.

Tobias's hands find my waist, steadying me as he presses his chest to my back. I drop one hand to cover his, threading ourfingers together, and his grip tightens just enough to say,I've got you.

With our drinks in our hands, we find a booth tucked toward the back of the club. It's quieter here, the music still loud but less overwhelming, and the four of us settle into the curved seat.

Harper lifts her drink with all the dramatic flair of a theater kid, her smile pure mischief. "To our girl," she announces, jabbing her finger at me, "who walked into that auditorium and burned the whole fucking place down."

Glasses clink in celebration, and I take a sip of my wine, hyperaware of Tobias's muscular thigh pressed against mine. My hand finds its way there without conscious thought, and the heat of him seeps through his dark jeans, anchoring me to this perfect moment.

"It still feels like a dream," I breathe out, my head spinning with more than just alcohol.

Tobias's large hand covers mine, his thumb tracing patterns that send sparks of electricity up my arm. "I knew you'd do it, baby," he murmurs, and when I meet his gaze, everything else—the music, the crowd, the whole world—just… disappears.

"Okay, time out," Harper interrupts, setting her drink down and waving her hands between us. "Can we just address this?" She gestures dramatically, pointing between Tobias and me. "Because Logan looks like his brain's about to leak out his ears."

Tobias's laugh rumbles through his chest as his arm wraps around my shoulders.

"I didn't realize you two were…" Logan starts, scratching the back of his neck like he's unsure how to finish that sentence. "I mean, Tate said something, and Harper tried to explain, but I thought they were confused."

"We know people are going to have questions, but it just happened," Tobias says, as easy as breathing, his hand still warmagainst my shoulder, "and she's the best thing that's ever walked into my life."

I nod, watching as understanding gradually settles across Logan’s face. Meanwhile, Harper's practically bouncing in her seat, shooting me a thumbs-up that screamsGet it, girl.

"That's awesome," Logan says finally, genuine as always.

Harper beams at me, her fingers threading through Logan's as she gives him a look that could melt steel. "Nothing better than falling for your best friend, right?" The way Logan goes soft when he looks at her makes something in my chest ache. Next to me, Tobias's fingers dance across my shoulder, a silentYeah, I get it now, that hits me right in the feels.

Sometimes, the most dangerous thing isn't falling for the wrong person—it's falling for the right one at the right time and realizing you never stood a chance against it.

I've been watching Harper and Logan, and jealousy lodges itself in my chest. They'll have each other when we're gone. Soft touches, stolen kisses, and the luxury of just… existing together. While I'm out here about to spend months living with this ache that feels like an open wound.

We've been at the club long enough that time's gone all weird and blurry. Tobias and Logan are deep in some conversation that looks like they're solving the world's most complicated puzzle. That's the thing about Tobias—he doesn't just talk; he listens. And I mean really listens. The way his eyes change, soft then sharp, tracking every word Logan says like it's the most fascinating shit he's ever heard. It's one of the things I love mostabout him, the way he makes you feel like you're the only person in the room.

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