Temporary Fix

Chapter 1: Chance Encounter

The club was a sensory overload. Neon lights pulsed to the rhythm of the bass-heavy music, washing over the crowd in waves of reds, blues, and greens. Trixie stood near the edge of the dance floor, sipping her drink as she took it all in. She was new to the city, still adjusting to its fast pace, and tonight was meant to be a celebration—of her big move, her new job, and, most of all, her newfound freedom.

But as she watched groups of friends laughing and couples dancing, she felt a pang of loneliness. She'd come out to forget, to get lost in the crowd, and to shake off the weight of expectations that had followed her from her hometown. She wasn't sure what she'd hoped to find here, but it definitely wasn't the flash of dark eyes that suddenly locked onto hers from across the room.

He was leaning against the bar with an effortless kind of confidence, his posture relaxed but his gaze intense. Trixie felt a thrill, her heart beating a little faster. The stranger's eyes held hers, not in a challenging way, but with a quiet curiosity that sent a spark up her spine. On an impulse she couldn't explain, she moved through the crowd toward him.

As she got closer, she could see him more clearly: tousled hair, a faint smirk that hinted he was as intrigued as she was. He was dressed casually—black jeans, a dark T-shirt—but his presence made it look like he belonged here, like he owned the room.

"Trixie," she said, holding out her hand.

He glanced down at her hand, his smile widening before he took it. "Louis."

The music was loud, but they managed to exchange a few details between beats—her recent move to the city, his lifelong love for it. Their conversation was a dance of its own, one moment witty and teasing, the next veering into something a little more personal. He asked her what she did for work, and she found herself admitting that she'd left a comfortable but stifling job back home to pursue a career in the city.

Louis listened intently, his gaze focused, as if he found her every word fascinating. "Takes guts to start fresh like that," he said. "Not everyone has the courage to walk away from stability."

Trixie shrugged, feeling self-conscious. "Sometimes I wonder if it was brave or just reckless."

He chuckled. "A little recklessness keeps life interesting."

As they talked, she found herself relaxing, feeling seen in a way she hadn't expected. They were two strangers, yet she felt an odd connection, like they understood each other's restlessness. She didn't know if it was the dim lights or the shared laughter, but something about Louis felt real in a way she couldn't explain.

After a while, he glanced toward the dance floor. "Feel like dancing?"

Trixie hesitated, then nodded. "Why not? I didn't come here to be a wallflower."

Louis held out his hand, and she took it, letting him guide her onto the dance floor. The music was loud, the beat thrumming through her body, and as they moved to the rhythm, she found herself getting lost in the moment. Louis had a way of moving that was both relaxed and magnetic, and she couldn't help but feel drawn to him.

They didn't say much as they danced, but their eyes met frequently, each look lingering a little longer than the last. She felt a thrill with every glance, every brush of his hand against hers. The energy between them was electric, and she could tell he felt it too.

Eventually, they moved off the dance floor, laughing and catching their breath. Outside, the cool night air was a welcome relief from the club's heat and noise. They stood on the sidewalk, leaning against the wall as they talked, the city lights casting a soft glow around them.

"So, Trixie," Louis said, looking at her with that familiar smirk, "What made you decide to come out tonight?"

She shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Figured I'd get a feel for the city nightlife. Maybe meet someone interesting."

He raised an eyebrow. "Am I interesting?"

Trixie laughed, feeling her cheeks warm. "You'll have to keep talking if you want me to find out."

Louis chuckled, his gaze lingering on her. "Challenge accepted."

They fell into an easy conversation, sharing stories and jokes that felt natural, as though they'd known each other far longer than a couple of hours. Trixie was surprised by how comfortable she felt with him; it wasn't like her to open up so quickly, especially to a stranger.

But there was something about Louis that made her feel like she didn't need to hold back, like she could let her guard down, if only for tonight.

After a lull in the conversation, he looked at her, his expression softening. "So, what's your verdict?"

Trixie tilted her head, confused. "On what?"

"On me," he said, his tone teasing but his eyes serious. "Am I interesting enough for another night, or was this just a one-time thing?"

She felt a thrill at the question, and before she could second-guess herself, she answered, "I think you're just interesting enough to keep me guessing."

Louis smiled, looking almost relieved. He pulled out his phone and handed it to her. "Then, in the spirit of keeping things interesting, you should give me your number."

She punched in her number, then handed his phone back. "Don't go using it too often. We both know this is just... temporary."

"Sure," he said, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze. "Temporary."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their unspoken connection hanging between them. Finally, he broke the quiet. "Well, Trixie, it was... interesting meeting you."

"Likewise, Louis," she replied, feeling an odd mix of excitement and melancholy.

As she turned to walk away, her phone buzzed. She looked down to see a text from him: For a one-night thing, you're awfully hard to walk away from.

She bit back a smile and replied: Guess you'll have to work harder next time.

With a final glance back, she slipped into the night, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. And though she told herself it was a one-time encounter, she couldn't shake the feeling that she hadn't seen the last of Louis.