CHAPTER ONE
The city lights of Seattle flickered outside my new apartment window, and for the first time in a long while, I felt free.
I leaned against the windowsill, breathing in the muffled hum of the city—honking cars, distant laughter, the pulse of a Friday night. The air smelled like rain and pavement. Grinning, I grabbed my phone and snapped a shot of the glowing skyline before turning to the tall mirror, where my reflection stood framed by cardboard boxes. I looked exhausted but happy. I took a picture anyway.
With no bed yet, I dropped onto the carpet and logged into my blog. Hug me, Seattle—I’ve arrived! I typed, hitting post. The tinkle of notifications buzzed in response, a welcome chorus.
Then—tik tik tik. A text.
I stretched my legs out, wiggling my toes against the soft carpet as I reached for my phone. Smiling, I skimmed through some of the new comments on my post before slipping into my DMs. My first thought was Sienna. She had moved to Seattle with her aunt right after we finished high school, and she was the reason I was here now—the endless photos, the stories, the way she made the city sound like something out of a dream.
And now it was mine.
My newly arise smile faltered as I opened the text.
Unknown Number: Big night ahead?
I frowned, my fingers hesitating over the keyboard.
Ellie: Who’s this?
The reply came instantly.
Unknown Number: A welcome committee ;)
A flicker of unease curled in my stomach, but I shook it off. Probably someone from my blog or an old classmate who saw my post. It wasn’t unusual for strangers to DM me when I uploaded something.
Ellie: Lol, okay. I hope Seattle knows how to show a girl a good time.
Unknown Number: Oh, it does. See U there.
A shiver prickled the back of my neck. I hadn’t mentioned anything about going out in my post, though I had been considering it. My fingers tightened around my phone as I reread the message.
Then, another text popped up—this time from Sienna.
Sienna: Hey babe, club at 10? Let’s make some bad decisions.
I exhaled, forcing a laugh at my own paranoia. It was nothing. Just some guy trying to be smooth.
Shaking it off, I sent her a thumbs-up and stood, excitement returning. Tonight was supposed to be my first real taste of freedom. A fresh start. New city, new home, and soon, a lot of new friends.
The club pulsed with deep bass, the music thrumming through my chest as I slipped inside. Flashing neon lights bathed the dance floor in waves of color, reflecting off the sea of moving bodies. I scanned the crowd, searching for Sienna.
Nothing.
Frowning, I pulled out my phone and shot her a quick text.
Ellie: Where are you? I’m at the bar.
No response.
I sighed, threading my way through the crowd until I reached the bar, where I slid onto an empty stool. The bartender barely glanced my way as he handed off a row of shots to a group of girls giggling beside me. My fingers drummed against the counter. I wasn’t usually the kind of person to sit alone in a club, but the night was young, and I wasn’t going to let a minor delay ruin my first real night out in Seattle.
“You get stood up too?”
The voice came from beside me—smooth, confident, laced with amusement.
I turned to find a guy leaning against the bar, watching me. Blond hair, sharp features, piercing eyes that looked almost silver under the shifting lights. He had that kind of effortless confidence that made it clear he was used to getting attention.
I raised a brow. “Excuse me?”
He smirked. “Your friend. I’m assuming she invited you here and then disappeared?”
I narrowed my eyes slightly. “How would you know that?”
“Because mine did the same thing.” He tilted his head. “Sienna, right?”
A flicker of surprise crossed my face before I could hide it. “You know Sienna?”
He grinned. “You could say that. She’s... a friend.”
Something about the way he said it made me tilt my head. I wasn’t sure if he was being vague on purpose or if I was overthinking.
“Kyler,” he said, offering a hand. “Mystery texter, at your service.”
I let out a small, surprised laugh as I shook my head. “That was you? Kind of creepy, don’t you think? Texting me out of nowhere?”
He shrugged, eyes gleaming with something unreadable. “I prefer to think of it as an unexpected introduction.”
I crossed my arms. “And how did you even know who I was?”
His smirk widened. “Your blog. I saw Sienna followed you and kind of got mesmerized by your photos. Then I saw you were in Seattle, and, well... I got a little excited.”
I hesitated for half a second before shaking my head, deciding to play along. “So, you’re a stalker.”
“A harmless admirer.” His grin didn’t waver, but there was something in his gaze—something I couldn’t quite place. “Mind if I buy you a drink?”
I took a quick glance at the club’s entrance. Men and women equally poured through. Their night was not being ruined, they danced and moved to the music’s rhythm; looked like they were having the time of their lives while I was here, dressed to impress but utterly alone. Alone with a handsome stranger who wanted to buy me a drink.
If Sienna got cold feet, I wasn’t going to let that stand between me and my new life in Seattle.
“Well, if I got stood up like you say, I’m up for a good drink and better company.”
His smile couldn’t be more perfect.
“Beer?” he asked, leaning into the bar, cash between his fingers. “Or something stronger?”
I should have been a little more cautious. But the music was loud, the drinks were flowing, and maybe, just maybe, I liked the attention a little too much.
“Surprise me.”
