The next day, the warmth of the sun streaming through Sophia’s window pulled her out of the lingering haze of the night before. Her body still hummed with the memory of Ethan’s touch, but the buzzing alarm next to her bed was a harsh reminder that life didn’t pause for passion.
With a groan, she rolled out of bed and padded to the bathroom. Her reflection in the mirror looked different today—brighter, more alive. The events of the past few days had shaken her to the core, but they had also awakened something inside her, something she wasn’t ready to face just yet.
After a quick shower and dressing in her usual work attire, Sophia grabbed her bag and hurried out the door. She couldn’t afford to be late again, not after the mess yesterday. Luke would have my neck she thought, quickening her pace.
Arriving at the bar, the familiar scent of alcohol, stale cigarettes, and the low hum of conversation greeted her like an old friend. But this time, it felt different—everything felt different now. She couldn’t shake the sense that her life was shifting, evolving into something she wasn’t entirely in control of.
Pushing through the back door, she clocked in and made her way to the front. Luke was standing behind the bar, wiping down glasses with an intensity that screamed frustration. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and the second he spotted her, his eyes narrowed.
“You’re here,” he said dryly, not bothering to hide his irritation.
Sophia winced, bracing herself. “Yeah, sorry about yesterday. It won’t happen again.”
Luke’s jaw tightened as he set down the glass he was cleaning. “It better not. You’re lucky I didn’t dock your pay for showing up late—and bringing him here.”
She blinked. “Him?”
“Don’t play dumb, Sophia. Ethan.” His name hung in the air like a challenge, and for a moment, she felt the weight of it pressing down on her. “I don’t know what the hell is going on between the two of you, but this is a bar. Not a damn soap opera.”
Sophia felt her stomach twist in knots. She didn’t owe Luke an explanation, but the tension between him and Ethan yesterday had left her rattled. “It’s nothing, okay?” she said, trying to sound casual. “Ethan was just dropping me off.”
Luke snorted, clearly unconvinced. “Right. Just dropping you off.” He leaned against the counter, his eyes locking onto hers with a seriousness she rarely saw from him. “Listen, I don’t care what you get up to outside of work, but don’t let whatever’s going on spill into this place. I need you focused.”
“I am focused,” she insisted, but even as the words left her mouth, she could feel how hollow they sounded. Her mind was anything but focused.
Luke studied her for a moment longer before shaking his head. “Just… keep it together, alright?”
Sophia nodded, biting her lip. “Yeah, I will.”
With that, she slipped behind the bar and grabbed a tray, eager to lose herself in the rhythm of work. It was easier than thinking about everything else—about Ethan, the mate bond, and the confusing swirl of emotions she couldn’t seem to untangle.
As she moved around the tables, taking orders and clearing empty glasses, the bar began to fill with its usual crowd. The familiar faces and routine should have been comforting, but instead, it only made her feel more out of place. The world around her hadn’t changed, but she had. And no matter how hard she tried to ignore it, the connection she felt with Ethan tugged at the edges of her thoughts.
It wasn’t long before the door swung open, and in walked a group of college students, laughing and jostling each other as they made their way to the bar. One of the girls, a tall blonde with strawberry-colored hair and a perfect smile, caught Sophia’s eye.
“Hey, Sophia!” Jacie called out, waving as she slid onto a barstool. “You working tonight?”
Sophia offered a small smile as she approached. “Yeah, just trying to make up for yesterday.”
Jacie grinned, clearly in a good mood. “Well, I’m here to keep you company. Vodka raspberry, right?”
“Coming right up,” Sophia said, already reaching for the bottle.
As she mixed Jacie’s drink, her mind drifted back to Ethan. She couldn’t help but wonder where he was, what he was doing. Was he thinking about her too? Did he feel the same magnetic pull that seemed to take over her every thought?
“Sooo…” Jacie’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Anything interesting happen after I left yesterday?”
Sophia’s heart skipped a beat, and she forced a casual smile. “Not really, just the usual.”
Jacie raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Uh-huh. Sure. Because it looked like something intense was going on with Luke and Ethan.”
Sophia sighed, setting the drink down in front of Jacie. “It’s complicated.”
“I’ll bet,” Jacie said with a knowing smirk. “But complicated can be fun. And if you ask me, both of those guys are worth a little drama.”
Sophia laughed, though the sound came out more strained than she intended. “Trust me, I’m not looking for drama.”
Jacie’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she took a sip of her drink. “Well, whether you’re looking for it or not, it sure seems like it’s found you.”
Sophia didn’t respond, but deep down, she knew Jacie was right. No matter how much she tried to deny it, there was no escaping the pull that Ethan had on her. The mate bond was real, and it was only getting stronger.
And as the night wore on, Sophia realized that no matter how hard she tried to keep her life normal, she was already in too deep.