Desire

VIII.

Isabel

The bar Gio took me to was loud, dark, and buzzing with life. A local band was performing on a small stage, their sound filling the space but not overwhelming the hum of conversation. The place wasn't packed, but it had enough people to give it energy—exactly the kind of distraction I needed tonight.

"You'll like it here," Gio said, sliding into the booth across from me. "Music's solid, drinks are decent."

I shrugged, already feeling the familiar tension building behind my eyes. "We'll see."

Gio ordered our drinks, and I scanned the room. My thoughts drifted to Lea, which annoyed me more than it should. She had been quiet, a little too quiet. But whatever. It wasn't my problem.

Ugh.

When Gio came back, he slid a shot toward me. "To surviving the week," he said, raising his glass.

"To surviving the week," I echoed, clinking my glass against his before downing it in one go. The alcohol burned down my throat, but it was a welcome distraction.

For a while, it was fine. The band was better than expected, and Gio kept the conversation light, pulling me out of my head. It was almost working, too. I could forget about Lea, the project, the stress. Until I saw her.

Casey.

She walked into the bar like she owned the place, that same cocky smile on her face, her short dark hair styled like she hadn't bothered but somehow still perfect. I cursed under my breath, turning away quickly. But it was too late—Gio had already spotted her too.

"Shit," he muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Is that Casey?"

"Yeah," I said through gritted teeth. "Let's hope she doesn't see me."

Gio shifted in his seat, his posture suddenly tense. "Want me to do something if she comes over?"

I shook my head. "No. Just ignore her."

Casey had always had this way of pulling people in, making them think she was charming and sweet, but I knew better. I knew what she could be like when no one was watching. We hadn't been together for a while, but seeing her still made my skin crawl.

And of course, she spotted me. Her eyes lit up with recognition, and that smug smile widened as she sauntered over, weaving through the crowd like she was on a runway.

"Isabel," Casey's voice was honeyed, but there was an edge to it as she stopped in front of our table. "Wow, haven't seen you in a while."

I glanced up, giving her a blank stare. "Didn't expect to see you either."

Bitch.

Gio's entire body tensed beside me. I could feel him wanting to intervene, but I shot him look—don't. Casey wasn't worth it.

She leaned against the edge of the table, crossing her arms and flashing me a seductive look. That look used to bring me to my knees, but not anymore. "Come on, Iz. No need to act like a stranger." Her eyes flickered to Gio for a second before settling back on me. "Hi Gio," she winked at him.

I didn't answer her question, sighing loudly. "What do you want, Casey?"

"Wow, straight to the point," she laughed, that irritating laugh that used to get under my skin. "Still got that sharp edge, huh? Thought maybe you'd softened up by now." She placed her hand on my shoulder, her nails painted crimson the way they always were.

Gio moved to stand, but I pressed a hand on his arm to stop him. The last thing I needed was a scene.

"I'm the same as I've always been," I said coldly. "Not that it's any of your business."