Page 19 of Switch

“Excuse me?” Brooke says, giving him a look.

“You’re not scared, are you?” Blade taunts, smirking.

“Scared?” Brooke scoffs, standing up and grabbing her drink. “Let’s see if you can keep up, big guy.”

They head off, leaving me alone at the table with Bella. She’s still smiling from all the banter, her cheeks flushed and her armsresting lightly on the table. For a moment, I just watch her, taking in the way she looks so at ease here, like she belongs, even though this place is nothing like where I imagine she usually spends her time.

“See?” I say, leaning back in my chair. “Told you it wasn’t that bad.”

She gives me a pointed look, her smile softening but still there. “Don’t think I didn’t see the topless girl giving the lap dances. Or the other one…” She pauses, raising an eyebrow. “Giving that guy a blowjob in the corner.”

I can’t help but smirk, leaning forward a little. “I guess I hoped you didn’t see that.”

Her smile widens slightly, teasing but not judgmental. “Does it bother you?”

I shrug, resting my forearms on the table. “Does it bother you?”

She tilts her head, her expression thoughtful. “I feel like it’s supposed to…”

I lean in closer, lowering my voice just enough to make the moment feel more intimate. “But? It doesn’t, does it?”

Her eyes meet mine, something quiet and curious in them. “It must be something to be that free,” she says softly, almost to herself.

I study her for a second, the noise and movement around us fading into the background. There’s something in the way she says it—not envy, exactly, but wonder. Like she’s trying to picture herself in their shoes and doesn’t quite know how it would feel.

“It’s not always what it looks like,” I say, my tone even. “Freedom’s not just about what you can do. It’s about whether you’re okay with it after.”

She nods slowly, like she’s mulling that over. “Makes sense.”

“Does it?” I ask, tilting my head. “Or are you just saying that to humor me?”

Her smile turns into a small laugh, shaking her head. “No, it does. I just… don’t think I’m wired that way. Not completely.”

I lean back, giving her a grin. “Nothing wrong with that. Not everyone’s meant to throw their shirts off and dance on a table.”

“Thank God,” she quips, her smile lighting up her whole face.

The sound of Brooke laughing loudly draws her attention for a second, and we both glance toward the dance floor, where she and Blade are now locked in what looks like a heated competition to outdo each other.

“Your sister’s holding her own,” I say, chuckling.

“She always does,” Bella replies, shaking her head fondly. “She’s relentless.”

The music shifts again, and the noise in the bar seems to pick up, but at this table, with her, it’s like the world’s slowed down just enough to make me forget everything else.

Maybe that’s why I don’t want this moment to end.

The music slows down, the wild energy of the bar easing into something softer. I glance over at Bella, watching as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes following her sisters on the dance floor. She looks like she’s debating whether to stay or melt into the shadows again, content to watch.

I hold out my hand, palm up, catching her attention. “Let’s start small.”

She looks at me, her brow furrowing slightly. “What?”

“Dance with me,” I say, my voice low and steady.

She hesitates, her gaze flicking to my hand before meeting my eyes again. For a moment, I think she might say no. Then, slowly, she places her hand in mine, her fingers fitting against mine like they were made for it.

“Okay,” she says softly, her voice barely audible over the hum of the room.

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