Echoes of Three Souls

Chapter 10: Dancing with Doubt

Maeve POV

I had spent what felt like an eternity standing in front of the mirror, nitpicking every little thing about my appearance. The clock was creeping closer to 8 o'clock, and my nerves were a tangled mess. Bars were never my scene—big shocker there. The suffocating smell of sweat and alcohol, the deafening music, the crowds of people who always seemed too loud, too unpredictable—it was all so unsettling. That kind of place made me feel like I was drowning, like I didn't belong. And tonight, I would be surrounded by people who only made things worse. Briana, Scarlett, and Reese—just thinking about it made my stomach twist.

I could feel the anxiety bubbling under my skin, the panic simmering just below the surface. I wanted to take one of the pills my psychiatrist had prescribed, but I couldn't, not when there'd probably be drinks involved. I didn't want to take the risk of mixing them and... well, making everything worse. Instead, I'd have to rely on breathing techniques and hope they'd be enough to keep me from falling apart. I just wanted to get through the night without embarrassing myself in front of Devin—or Scarlett and Reese. Maybe, if I was lucky, I'd manage to have a decent time, even though the idea seemed far-fetched. I just didn't want to make a fool of myself.

I glanced down at the dress I'd bought last week, still uncertain if it was the right choice. It was a sweet little thing from an online boutique, a floral mini dress with a baby-blue satin bow tied in the front. It wasn't too revealing, which made me feel safer, like I could disappear into it if I needed to. And the blue cowboy boots I paired it with—they added a bit of personality, a nod to the fact that we'd be going to a country bar. Growing up in Virginia, I had to own at least one pair, right?
DING. My phone lit up.

Devy 💕: We're here! Parked out back.

Maeve: Be down in a minute!

I fluffed my hair one last time, smoothing it down nervously, before giving myself a final look in the mirror. I guess this would have to do. Swiping on another layer of my favorite lip gloss, I tried to calm my racing heart. Archie had jumped onto the entryway table, his soft, gray fur brushing against my hand. I leaned down and pressed a kiss to his head.

"Bye-bye, sweet boy. I'll see you later," I whispered, feeling a twinge of guilt for leaving him. He looked up at me with those big, trusting eyes, and it almost made me want to stay. But Devin was waiting.

With one last deep breath, I grabbed my bag and headed outside to Dev and J's car, hoping I could just keep it together for the night. Hopping into the back seat of Devin and J's minivan, I was immediately comforted by the familiar smell of Devin—clean and fresh, like crisp linens right out of the dryer. It eased the tight knot of anxiety in my chest, just a little. Being around people who felt like home had a way of calming the storm inside me, if only for a while.

"Hey, girlfriend! You look gorgeous!" Devin's voice was filled with her usual energy, and her compliment made my face heat up.

"Thanks, Devy... You look beautiful too," I whispered, my words barely audible as my face flushed. Compliments always made me squirm. I wasn't used to them, especially not from someone as effortlessly stunning as Devin. "Thanks for the ride, guys. I really appreciate it."

"No problem, Maeve! Honestly, I feel better with you driving with us anyway," J chimed in from the driver's seat. His voice was deep, steady, reassuring. "The world's a scary place, and I like keeping my eye on you two." He said it so casually, but I knew him well enough to catch the protective undertone. At 29, James—J, as we all called him—was a military veteran and now an FBI agent. He didn't talk much about his work, but it was clear how much he valued security, especially when it came to Devin and, apparently, me.