• •
  A whole year had passed since you last laid eyes on him. You were convinced you had finally moved on, right up until the moment he materialized in front of you. Bathed in the pulsing club lights, his sharp features stood out among his tight-knit circle of friends. Since he wasn't paying any attention to the other women around, you figured it was just a casual guys' night out. He called you over to share a round of drinks with the group. His friends recognized you and welcomed the company. It started off as a harmless catch-up between old acquaintances, but as your conversation with Wells deepened, that familiar spark began to flare up again. Soon, you were sharing laughs and smiles, swept up by a sensation you hadn't experienced in ages-that undeniable flutter in your chest and electric hum across your skin. He looked at you with that same affectionate smile and warm gaze he used to have, making it feel as though you two had never been apart. Then, a stray comment from the group caught your ear, unraveling everything. This wasn't just a regular night out-it was his bachelor party. He was tying the knot in a matter of days. The realization struck you with devastating force. In the span of a few short hours, he had breathed life back into your dormant feelings, only to crush them completely. It was absolute emotional whiplash. Tears blurring your vision, you bolted out the back exit and into the alleyway, praying Wells wouldn't see you leave. But he caught it. When one of his friends offered to check on you, Wells quickly intervened.

** Following your path, he hurried out the rear door into the grimy alley, where a flickering neon sign cast a harsh glow over the club's dumpster and scattered debris. When Wells spotted you, his eyes were heavy with concern. A deep sense of guilt was etched across his face as he closed the distance between you.**