"There you are!" Jessica's voice sliced through the dark like a neon whip, drawing every stray beam of firelight. She stumbled toward them, glitter stuck to her cheeks and a red plastic cup sloshing dangerously in her hand. "I've been looking for you everywhere, Mr. Mystery!"
Angela sighed, but her smile held no surprise.
Aiden blinked. "Jessica, you good?"
"I'm great," she said, drawing out the word like it meant something more. "But you've been hiding out, and that's illegal at parties like this." She wobbled forward and plopped herself down beside him—too close, too fast.
Angela subtly scooted back, giving Jessica the floor.
"Come dance with me," Jessica said, poking his shoulder. "You promised."
"I don't think I did," Aiden said, brow raised.
Jessica blinked, trying to remember. "Well, you should have. C'mon. You're way too serious. It's not a funeral. It's a forest rave."
"I noticed," he said dryly, glancing around at the flashing lights strung between trees and the dozens of bodies writhing like silhouettes in a music video.
Angela bit back a laugh. "You might as well. Get it over with. She won't stop."
Jessica brightened. "See? Even Angela agrees. You owe me, Aiden. I brought vibes."
Aiden stood slowly, brushing off his jeans. "Fine. One song."
"Two!" Jessica demanded, linking her arm with his and dragging him toward the pulsing music. "I'm holding you hostage."
Angela gave him a small, amused wave as he glanced over his shoulder.
As Jessica pulled him into the crowd, her laughter rose like sparks in the smoke-filled dark. Aiden didn't resist. Not really. Something about the way the music swallowed them up made it easier to let go—for just a little while.
The music pulsed through the clearing like a heartbeat, every thrum of bass rattling the ground underfoot. Glow sticks looped around necks and wrists, flashing in neon arcs as bodies swayed together, lost in rhythm and noise.
Aiden didn't usually dance.
He hated the feeling of being surrounded—so many limbs, so much sweat, so many eyes. But Jessica had a way of not taking no for an answer, especially after her second drink. She'd pulled him in with both hands, smiling like this was the most natural thing in the world.
And somehow, he didn't pull away.
Her hands slid from his wrists to his shoulders, then down his chest as they moved. Not gracefully, not expertly—just with abandon. She was flushed from the alcohol, eyes a little glassy but locked on his like he was the only person here.
"Aiden," she breathed over the music, leaning close. "You're actually good at this."
"I'm not even trying," he muttered, trying to keep things light, trying not to focus on how close she was, how her fingers had curled into the fabric of his shirt.
"Exactly," she whispered, grinning.
Then she leaned in closer, lips brushing his ear. "Don't act like you don't want to be here."
He froze for a moment. Her breath was warm against his skin, the scent of cherry vodka thick in the air between them.
The song changed—something slower, something heavier.
And Jessica didn't step back.
Her arms slid around his neck, tugging him in. Her body pressed against his, fluid and bold, like this was what she'd wanted all along. Aiden's hands hovered uncertainly before settling at her waist. He told himself it was just dancing. Just keeping the peace. Just—
She was getting too close.
He turned his face slightly, breaking the moment. "Jess…"
She looked up at him with those wide, drunk eyes. "What?"
He didn't finish the sentence. Just gave her a small, crooked smile and shook his head.
Jessica didn't push. Not yet.
But she stayed close—too close—as the lights spun and the night kept going.