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Start smaller.

Scanning the room, his gaze continued searching for anyone else who might have dared to venture out alone. A group of men in suits? No. A couple cozied up near the fireplace? Maybe for someone else, but that's a no as well.

Ethan paused as something pulled his gaze toward the back windows.

That's when he saw her.

A woman sat alone near the large bay windows, staring out at the water. Neon light glowed from the Ferris wheel's lights, bathing her in a medley of blue, purple, and gold.

In the sea of beautiful people, there was something about her that stood out from everyone else. It wasn't just because of her looks—which, by any measure, were breathtaking—but because of what she wasn't doing.

Ever since he'd set foot inside, Ethan had been surrounded by noise and motion. The people around him were loud and electric—laughter, bodies blurring everywhere, drinks flowing like there was a drought.

But she wasn't engaging with any of that.

She just sat there. Quiet. Observing.

Just as he was.

The crowd fell away from Ethan as his gaze remained locked onto her. As if they were two frozen figures, watching as the world around them blurred past, time slowing to practically nothing.

There was a stillness about her, like when you're holding your breath during the quiet moments after submerging underwater. His chest tightened, and he quickly averted his gaze, realizing he'd been staring.

Bringing the whiskey to his lips, he drank it down, letting the warmth wash over him.

Liquid courage, he thought.

Should he go over there? She was the only one besides him who appeared alone. But that couldn't be right. Surely there was someone here with her—a boyfriend, lover, maybe her husband in the bathroom?

Yeah, definitely no point in hoping.

He looked down at his glass, swirling the sphere of ice, which was beginning to melt and pool at the bottom. Without even realizing it, his gaze floated back toward her.

Still alone.

This time, Ethan didn't dare look away. As he watched the lights dancing around her, an irrational feeling flooded over him that if he looked away, he might never see her again. The thought was insane, but also strangely unbearable.

What was he thinking? He didn't even know her, but still…there was just something about her.

Ethan had to know who she was.

What the hell is in this drink?

The music of the bar and the people around him fell away, and before Ethan knew it, he was halfway across the floor, walking towards the woman. His heart pounded in his ears with each step, half-expecting her boyfriend or husband to appear at any moment.

More steps toward her, closer now.

The room was silent. Was the music shut off? All he heard was his own breathing, and then the distant "Hello" from his own lips, surprising even himself.

The woman faced away from Ethan, staring out the window, the glow of the firelight next to her illuminating her long, dark hair. Ethan could see her watching the slow cycle of the Ferris wheel in the window’s reflection. He was pretty sure she smiled before turning around to face him.

Icy blue eyes gleamed back at him with an ethereal glow. The firelight danced in them, sending flecks of gold shimmering in their depths, only adding to their beauty.

Ethan’s breath caught, and his body stiffened.

Unbelievably beautiful, he thought.

The woman’s smile faded, replaced with a look of confusion and curiosity, and it made Ethan wonder if he'd actually spoken at all, or if he'd just imagined it.