“You planned a reunion night,” I accuse.
“I planned you getting out of your head,” Silas corrects. “The reunion is a bonus.”
I grin. “God, you love me.”
“Yes,” he says easily. “Get dressed.”
Riot looks exactly the same.
Same sticky floors. Same neon lights. Same bass vibrating through my bones as if it remembers me.
The moment we walk in, I spot Todd by the bar, Logan leaning into his space like personal boundaries are optional. Eli’s already jokingly arguing with Max over something dumb. Micah and Colton are on the dance floor, moving as though they don’t have responsibilities.
I light up.
“My people!” I yell, breaking free from Silas to barrel into hugs like a human missile.
Todd catches me first. “Future doctor!”
“Third year, baby,” I announce. “I’m basically dead inside.”
Logan high-fives me. “You look good for someone who lives on caffeine.”
“I thrive on chaos.”
We fall into familiar rhythms fast—drinks, dancing, shouting over the music. Silas hangs back just enough to let me soak it all in, watching me with that soft expression that still makes my chest do stupid things. I swear the butterflies should pay rent at this point.
I dance with everyone. Todd spins me. Logan dips me dramatically. Max pretends not to enjoy it when I drag him into the circle.
I’m sweaty, buzzing, laughing too loud.
Happy.
At some point, I wander toward the bar for water because I’m allegedly an adult now. When I turn back toward the dance floor, I don’t see Silas.
Which is weird.
I scan the crowd, pushing past bodies, calling his name once. Nothing.
Then I feel it—that instinctive pull that’s been there since the beginning. I turn.
Silas is in the middle of the dance floor. On one knee. For half a second, my brain refuses to compute. Then I see the ring in his hand.
Simple. White gold band. Familiar in a way that hits straight to my lungs.
The music keeps pounding. People keep dancing aroundhim like this isn’t the most important moment of my life. My heart tries to escape my ribcage.
“Oh my God,” I whisper.
Someone shrieks nearby. Todd freezes mid-groove, gripping Logan’s arm to get his attention. Colton’s hands fly to his mouth, making Micah follow his gaze. Eli immediately starts filming, or maybe he was in on this and was already filming, because Max is standing at his back, his arms around his waist, watching it all unfold.
I walk toward Silas on legs that feel like jelly.
He looks up at me, eyes steady, mouth soft, as if the rest of the world has already narrowed down to just us.
“Luke,” he says, loud enough for me to hear over the music. “I don’t want to keep calling you only my boyfriend.”
My breath leaves me in a rush.
