Sophia Lane had always prided herself on being the type of woman who kept her head down and focused on work. At twenty-seven, she was still trying to get her footing in the demanding world of architecture, and the last thing she needed was distractions. But tonight, her best friend Jamie had insisted—no, begged—that she come to this party.
"It's just a get-together. You need to get out there, Soph. It's been over a year since your breakup. You can't keep hiding behind those damn blueprints," Jamie had argued, her voice shrill over the phone.
So here she was, standing awkwardly near the punch bowl in a crowded apartment filled with people who had far more confidence than she ever could muster. The space was modern, sleek, with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the city lights. The music was loud enough to make conversation a game of guessing, and laughter filled the air like an almost tangible thing.
Sophia took a sip of her drink, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. That's when she saw him.
He was standing by the door, holding a beer in one hand, his eyes scanning the room with an unreadable expression. There was something about him that made him stand out—a magnetic pull that drew her gaze, despite her best efforts to avoid it. Tall, with dark, tousled hair and a sharp jawline that could cut glass. He wasn't just handsome; he looked dangerous, like someone who didn't need to say much because his presence alone commanded attention.
She quickly turned her head, hoping he hadn't noticed. But the feeling didn't go away. Her heart was racing, her palms clammy. Great. Just what she needed—more complications.
"Stop staring at him."
Sophia froze at the sound of Jamie's voice beside her. She hadn't even noticed her approach.
"Shut up," she muttered, taking another sip, but her eyes lingered on the man across the room. She could feel the pull again, like gravity, stronger this time.
"His name's Ethan Carter," Jamie continued, leaning in like she was sharing a secret. "He's an entrepreneur. Came back to the city after being overseas for a while. I heard he's a bit of a mystery—super private."
Sophia didn't respond, but she could feel the tug of curiosity in her chest. He was the last kind of guy she needed to be interested in. The kind who probably had a life as complicated as his jawline was sharp.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out quickly, relieved for the distraction. A text from her mom: "How's the party? Any cute guys?"
Sophia huffed and quickly typed back: "No, just work stuff. You know how it is."
But her gaze drifted back to Ethan, and she couldn't help it. He had already turned toward her, and for a split second, their eyes met. There was something in his gaze—calm but intense, like he was assessing her without saying a word.
Then, without warning, he smiled. A smile that was too knowing, too confident.
Sophia's heart stuttered. She quickly looked away, hoping no one had seen the flush creeping up her neck.
Jamie, of course, had noticed. "I knew you were looking at him."
"Shut up," Sophia muttered again, but this time with a playful edge. It felt ridiculous—foolish even—to feel this off-kilter by a man she didn't even know. Yet, her pulse wouldn't calm down, her breathing slightly erratic.
"I dare you to go talk to him," Jamie teased.
Sophia choked on her drink. "You're insane. I barely know anyone here."
"Oh, please. You're a grown woman. Go have a conversation with a guy for once. Maybe get out of your head." Jamie was already walking off, likely already plotting her next move.
Sophia stood there for a moment longer, her fingers gripping the glass tight, before shaking her head. "Yeah, right. Not tonight."
But the longer she stood there, the more Ethan's presence seemed to fill the space around her. As if he were silently daring her to make the first move.
Maybe she should leave. Go home, crawl into bed, and pretend tonight didn't happen.
But then, as if on cue, the crowd shifted, and Ethan was standing directly in front of her.
"Hi," he said, his voice low and smooth. A soft smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Sophia, right?"
She blinked, her heart skipping a beat. "How—how do you know my name?"
He chuckled, the sound deep and a little amused. "Jamie mentioned you."
Her pulse was racing now. Great, so he already knew who she was. "Well, I didn't know we were on a first-name basis," she replied, trying to keep her tone light, though her nerves were anything but calm.
"We are now," he said, his eyes lingering a moment longer than necessary. "Mind if I join you for a drink?"
Sophia wasn't sure what possessed her to nod, but she did. And before she knew it, he was standing beside her, the conversation flowing with a surprising ease. Despite herself, she felt a strange pull, a connection that had no clear explanation.
As they talked, time seemed to slip away, and she realized something. This would be the last time they crossed paths.