The Line Between Us - Alejandro Balde Love Story

Chapter 18: A Night Out

The city lights of Barcelona twinkled like stars as Berta and I stepped out of her apartment, ready for a night out. The energy buzzed in the air, the anticipation of laughter, music, and a break from the tension that had been building between me and Alejandro. I needed this, an escape from my swirling thoughts about him, and Berta was the perfect distraction.

"Are you excited?" Berta asked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as we walked down the bustling street.

"Honestly? I think I just need to let loose," I replied, forcing a smile. "It's been too serious lately."

Berta grinned, looping her arm through mine. "That's the spirit! We're going to dance, drink, and just forget everything for a while. And who knows? Maybe we'll run into some cute guys."

As we arrived at the club, the bass thumped through the walls, vibrating in my chest. The atmosphere was electric, and I felt a rush of excitement coursing through me. We made our way to the bar, where we ordered drinks, the music pounding in our ears.

As we sipped our cocktails, I caught a glimpse of familiar faces on the dance floor. My heart raced for a moment as I spotted Alejandro among them, laughing with his friends. The sight of him sent a wave of conflicting emotions crashing over me. He looked effortlessly handsome, with his playful smile and the way he moved with confidence. But there was also frustration—a reminder of the tension between us that had been building since our late-night work session.

"Is that Alejandro?" Berta asked, nudging me playfully.

"Yeah," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "He looks like he's having fun."

"Why don't we go say hi?" Berta suggested, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "You know you want to."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," I replied, my heart racing at the thought. The last thing I needed was to face him while still grappling with my feelings.

But Berta wasn't having it. "Come on, it'll be fine! You're going to regret it if you don't at least talk to him."

Before I could protest, she pulled me toward the dance floor. As we wove through the crowd, the energy was intoxicating. I could feel the heat radiating from the bodies around us, the music wrapping us in its embrace. I glanced at Alejandro again, and our eyes locked for a brief moment. It was electrifying, a jolt of awareness that sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

"Hey, Alejandro!" Berta called out, waving her arm as we approached.

He turned, surprise lighting up his features before he broke into a grin. "Berta! Isa! What are you doing here?"

"Just trying to have some fun!" Berta replied, her voice filled with excitement. "What about you?"

"I could say the same," he said, glancing at me. The intensity of his gaze sent my heart racing. "Glad to see you two out."

We fell into an easy banter, the music pulsing around us. Berta was in her element, teasing Alejandro and making him laugh. I found myself caught in the moment, swept up in the lightheartedness of it all, but beneath the surface, the tension simmered.

As the night wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling that Alejandro was watching me more than he should be. There were moments when our eyes would meet, and the air would crackle with unspoken words. I felt drawn to him, yet the barriers we'd built still loomed large in my mind.

"Let's dance!" Berta suddenly exclaimed, grabbing my hand and pulling me onto the dance floor.

I laughed, letting her drag me into the fray. The music enveloped us, and for a moment, I lost myself in the rhythm. But in the back of my mind, I was acutely aware of Alejandro's presence, the way he was still watching, his eyes holding a mix of intrigue and something else—something deeper.

As the night deepened, I found myself glancing back toward Alejandro, only to catch him staring at me, his expression unreadable. A rush of warmth flooded my cheeks, and I quickly looked away, focusing instead on the music and Berta's infectious energy.

"Are you okay?" Berta asked, her voice cutting through the haze of the club. "You've been distracted."

"Just... thinking," I admitted, trying to push aside the emotions swirling within me.

"About Alejandro?" she pressed, an encouraging grin on her face.

"Maybe," I said, feeling a mix of frustration and longing. "It's just complicated, you know?"

"Complicated can be good," she replied, giving me a knowing look. "You can't deny there's something there."

Before I could respond, the song shifted to a slower beat, and the atmosphere in the club transformed. Couples began to sway closer, and I felt a flutter of anticipation in my stomach. I looked at Alejandro again, and to my surprise, he stepped forward, closing the distance between us.

"Care to dance?" he asked, his voice low, sending shivers down my spine.

I glanced at Berta, who gave me a little push toward him, and before I could think too much about it, I nodded and took his hand. As we moved together, the world around us faded. The warmth of his body was intoxicating, and I felt the tension from before shift into something charged and electric.

"Is this okay?" he asked softly, his breath brushing against my ear.

"Yeah," I replied, feeling my heart race. "It's nice."

We swayed together, the music wrapping around us like a cocoon. In that moment, I could forget everything—the rivalry, the confusion, and the doubts. All that mattered was the connection that pulsed between us.