*WEAR HEADPHONES*
The music was loud and there were people packing practically every corner of the party. Despite only being an hour into the party, everyone was stumbling around like they’d been here for hours. Award show after parties were always like this though and you weren’t even phased.
Your drink was almost empty and you had been ready for your second two sips into your first. Presenting awards always made your nerves spike for hours after because you were too keenly aware of just how mean the public could be. You were making a beeline for the bar when you bumped into a suit-covered shoulder. Your drink sloshed in your glass, but thankfully didn’t spill all over whomever you bumped into.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” you squeaked as you steadied yourself using his arm.
“Don’t worry about it,” he laughed as he put his hand on your waist to help steady you more. “Oh, hey there.”
You smiled when you realized who you’d bumped into. Shawn. You breathed a sigh of relief because you knew he really didn’t mind. His smile was wide across his face, making his soft eyes crinkle at the corner.
“Hey there yourself,” you laughed. His hand was still on your waist, his fingers spanning wide across your dress. “Congrats again by the way.”
“Oh thanks,” he ducked his head a little, a faint blush crossing over his cheeks.
“Want to go walk with me to the bar?”
His head snapped up, eyes meeting yours. His chocolate curls bounced with his fast movements. You’d spoken for a little earlier in the night when you’d presented the award he won. He was just as kind and gorgeous as the first time you met him years ago. He was definitely getting more gorgeous every year, something you and all of your mutual friends that had been trying to push you together were definitely all too aware of.
“Yeah, totally,” Shawn said.
You smiled up at him while taking his hand off your waist and holding it gently in yours so you didn’t lose him in the crowd as you threaded your way through the crowd toward the bar. Somewhere between one of your friends that stopped you to ask who made your dress and the five people that stopped Shawn to congratulate him, his fingers had slid in between yours, pulling your palms together.
You finally made it to the bar, dropping Shawn’s hand to rest yours on the edge of the bar. He moved slightly to your left behind you, his right hand reaching out to rest on the small of your back, which was exposed due to the backless dress you’d chosen to wear. Your heart rate sped up in your chest and you were so distracted you almost missed the bartender asking you what you wanted. A refill was the only thing you could think to say as Shawn’s lips lowered to your ear.
“You look stunning tonight,” he whispered.
His lips grazing your ear was making you pull closer into him, drowning out the rest of the world. You had been in a series of almosts with Shawn for the better part of a year. Almost kissing at a friend’s party. Almost hooking up at a New Year’s Eve party. Almost taking him home with you after dinner with friends. Almost.
You wondered if tonight would be another almost or something better.
“Thanks,” you swallowed hard before continuing, “you look pretty good yourself.”
“Mm, thanks,” he chuckled a little, his hot breath dancing across your skin, which sent another shudder down your spine.
The bartender had to call your name to pull you out of your moment to give you your drink. You took a large gulp, the alcohol burning down your throat trying to bring you back to earth.
