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An Unforgettable Evening

Finn stepped out of the penthouse, the rush of cold air hitting him like a slap. The door clicked shut behind him, sharp and final. He felt like he’d just left behind a world that wasn’t his, something surreal. His pulse quickened as he looked at the city ahead—sprawling and indifferent, with its gleaming towers and busy streets.

He needed to get out of here, fast. His shoes hit the pavement hard, his steps hurried, like he was running from something. “Get out, just get out,” he muttered under his breath, his heart racing as his eyes scanned the street. Sleek cars lined the curb, but that wasn’t an option. “No cabs today,” he reminded himself bitterly. He couldn’t afford that—couldn’t afford anything from her world.

He kept walking, the brisk air doing little to clear his head. “Why did I let this happen?” The memory of Eva, her lips, her touch, played on repeat in his mind. It felt too unreal, too fast. “I’m such a fool,” he thought, picking up his pace, like moving faster would erase the night.

The bus stop wasn’t far, but every step felt like he was crossing a divide. He had to leave this behind.

Finn’s mind raced as fast as his feet. “Keep moving, Finn. Keep moving. Quick, quick, get out of here.” The words echoed in his head, pushing him forward, faster, like he could outrun everything that had happened. Every step was a desperate attempt to distance himself from the penthouse, from her, from last night.

No matter how hard Finn tried, his mind kept snapping back to the night before. Every step took him further down memory lane, dragging him back to the gala.

He’d bartended at plenty of high-end charity galas and elite parties, but last night had been different. There was something off in the air—a vibe that set it apart from anything he’d ever experienced.

The room had come alive quickly, buzzing with energy as the night unfolded. Laughter echoed, champagne flowed like water, and the constant clinking of glasses filled the space. The rich and famous floated through the room, dripping in designer clothes worth more than Finn’s annual income. He was used to feeling like he didn’t belong, blending into the background, just another guy serving drinks.

But then, just as he was handing a cocktail to a guest, he heard it—her voice. Tori. His ex.

In the middle of the crowd, she stood, dazzling in a sparkling dress that caught the light just right. Her arm was draped around her new boyfriend—the kind of guy Finn couldn’t compete with. Polished, and rich, every inch of him screamed privilege.

When Tori saw Finn, her expression shifted, going from disinterest to something colder, sharper. A smug smile crept across her face. She always knew how to twist the knife.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Finn. Still pouring drinks, huh?” Tori’s voice dripped with condescension, each word sharper than the last. “Guess not much has changed for you. Some of us move up in life, while others just keep crawling.”

Her words stung, hitting him harder than he expected. It wasn’t just that she’d moved on; it was the reminder that, to her, he had never been enough. Not wealthy enough, not successful enough, not ambitious enough for the life she wanted. And now, standing next to her new, polished, rich boyfriend, she was more than happy to rub it in his face.

Finn had wanted to disappear. The shame tightened in his chest, making it hard to breathe. He turned, desperate to get away from Tori and her cutting remarks, but then—

“Looks like you need saving,” a soft voice whispered in his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.

He turned, and there she was. Eva Sinclair. CEO of NovaMed Pharmaceuticals.

Even in a room full of the city’s elite, Eva stood out like a flame in the dark. Her eyes locked onto his, dark and piercing, with a glint of danger just beneath the surface. Finn had heard of her and read about her in headlines, but none of that prepared him for her presence in person.

Before he could even process what was happening, she cupped his face with a confidence that stole his breath. And then—she kissed him.

“Whoa…” Finn’s mind went blank, drowning in the rush of sensations, the heat of her lips against his.

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