NOT ROYALE ENOUGH [18+]

37

SARAH

I needed this. Heavens knew I did.

I wanted to get lost—lost in the music, lost in the lights, lost in the chaos—anything to drown out the mess of emotions swirling inside me. With everything going on in my life, I deserved this freedom. I deserved to close my eyes and let each thumping beat of the club consume my mind.

I didn’t even care if I looked like I was on something. Let them think whatever they wanted. I needed this. I needed to sway my hips for myself and no one else.

But, of course, the men in here thought otherwise.

Every so often, some guy assumed my dancing was an open invitation, pressing up behind me like I owed him something.

Thank God I knew how to angle my knee just right, even in the dim lighting.

Sam and I danced together for a while, moving freely between the shifting bodies, until I nudged her toward the bar. Adam had been there all night, watching her like a hawk. She kept pretending not to notice, but we both knew she did.

It reminded me of the way he used to look at me.

I swallowed hard.

I shouldn't be thinking about him. The whole reason I came here was to forget he even existed. I needed to stick to that.

Former Sarah would be proud of my method.

After a few more songs, Sam finally caved. “I’ll be back,” she called over the music, leaning in to whisper, “Sharing my location with you now, just in case.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re acting like Adam’s a serial killer.”

She smirked. “You never know.”

With that, she made her way to the bar, and I smirked to myself, already knowing exactly what she planned to do to him.

I let out a breath, shaking off the thoughts creeping into my mind. I wasn’t here to overthink—I was here to feel. To let the bass drown everything else out.

The music shifted into something slower but still deep, vibrating through the floor and into my chest. My body moved with it, hips swaying, arms lifting just enough to let myself sink into the rhythm.

No stress. No regrets. Just me and the music.

But then, a prickling sensation ran down my spine.

A feeling.

The kind that made the tiny hairs on my arms stand up.

Someone was watching me.

I cracked my eyes open, half-lidded, trying not to make it obvious as I glanced around. Nothing but strangers, bodies moving in chaotic harmony, no one paying attention—