The music was loud, spilling through the open doors of Tessie's family mansion.
Laughter, perfume, and the sound of glasses clinking filled the night air.
Jeff parked his car and turned to Jenn, who was staring out the window uncertainly.
"You sure about this?" she asked.
Jeff smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
"It's just a party, Jenn. You'll be fine. Besides, I won't leave your side."
She smiled faintly, though her stomach twisted.
She wasn't used to crowds — or fancy parties filled with people who looked like they'd stepped out of a magazine cover.
The moment they stepped in, heads turned.
Tessie's sharp voice cut through the music. "Jeff! You made it!"
She hugged him lightly, her perfume heavy with expensive sweetness. Then her eyes shifted to Jenn — assessing, curious, fake smile in place.
"Oh, you are with her?" Tessie said.
Jeff nodded proudly. "Yeah."
Tessie's gaze lingered a moment too long before she said, "Make yourself comfortable."
Jenn smiled politely. "Thanks."
"You're just in time — things are about to get wild, Jeff."
Jenn forced a polite smile.
Jeff leaned closer and whispered, "Ignore the tone. That's just Tessie being Tessie."
Meanwhile, by the bar, Alden was talking to a friend when his eyes caught sight of her — Jenn, walking beside Jeff, her hair catching the light.
His chest tightened instantly.
He looked different under the dim gold lights — darker shirt, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly messy. His jaw tightened when their eyes met.
He hadn't expected her. Not here. Not with Jeff.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the whole room went silent for him.
He moved closer, slowly, as if pulled by instinct.
"Jenn?"
She turned, startled. "Alden… hi."
He stared at her like he was seeing her for the first time again. "You look—different."
Jenn swallowed. "."
"You didn't say you'd be here," he said, voice low, almost accusing.
"I didn't know you'd be either."
Jenn swallowed. "Alden—"
Before she could finish, Jeff's hand slid gently to her waist. "There you are. I've been looking for you."
Jeff forced a grin." hey".
Alden nodded in return
But his eyes lingered on Jenn before he turned away sharply, heading toward the drinks table. His chest burned.
"You okay?" Jeff asked.
Jenn nodded. "Yeah."
But deep down, she wasn't.
From the corner, Tessie watched Alden's expression and smirked.
She'd waited weeks for this chance.
The night was perfect — loud, distracting, just enough chaos for feelings to get blurry.
She sauntered toward him, hips swaying, voice playful.
"You look like someone who needs another drink."
Alden turned, sighing. "You don't waste time, do you?"
"No point wasting what's already good," she teased, twirling her glass. "You've been on my mind for a while now. I don't understand why you have been ignoring me."
He gave a faint laugh. "Tessie…"
"Don't brush it off," she cut in. "I know what I feel. And I'm not scared to say it."
He looked down at her, expression unreadable.
"You shouldn't waste feelings on someone who's already somewhere else."
Her smile faltered. "You mean Jenn?"
He didn't answer — and that silence said everything.
Tessie's smirk returned, though her eyes darkened. "Then I guess I'll just have to make you forget her."
Later, the music shifted — louder, wild, as people gathered around the center.
Someone yelled, "Let's play something fun!"
Tessie clapped her hands. "Truth or Dare!"
The crowd roared in approval. Jeff, Jenn, Alden, Tessie, and a few others — Sam, Mira, Kyle— all joined the circle.
A bottle was placed in the middle and spun.
It landed on Mira first.
"Truth or dare?" Tessie grinned.
"Dare."
"Ok, i dare you to Kiss Kyle," Tessie said.
Everyone screamed as Mira laughed, pulling Kyle in for a quick peck. The room filled with teasing whistles.
The bottle spun again.
This time — Alden.
Tessie leaned forward, eyes glinting. "Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Who's the one person here you've wanted to kiss?"
Jenn's cheeks flushed, her heart pounding.
Everyone whooped. Alden smirked faintly. "Pass."
"No passing," Tessie insisted.
He sighed. "I will drink."
The room mumbled.
Jeff's head snapped toward him, but Alden only lifted his glass, calm and defiant.
"Interesting," Tessie murmured, not satisfied.
The bottle spun again — and this time, it stopped on Jenn.
"Truth or dare, sweetheart?" Tessie asked, voice dripping with mischief.
Jenn hesitated. "Dare."
"Perfect. I dare you to take three shots."
"Three?" Jenn blinked. "I don't even—"
"Come on," Jeff whispered. "You can skip it."
But Jenn shook her head. "No. I can handle it."
She took the first shot — winced.
The second — coughed, her throat burning.
The third — her head felt light, her laughter spilling easily now.
Soon, the world became a blur of lights and music.
Jeff watched her, both amused and worried, as she laughed too loud and swayed when she stood.
"You okay?" he asked.
"I'm perfect," she said, smiling up at him, eyes bright.
The game went on, but Jeff could tell — she'd had enough.
"Let's get you home," he murmured, helping her up.
They reached his place past midnight.
Jenn giggled as she tried to remove her shoes, nearly falling.
"You're drunk," he said, catching her just in time.
"No," she said, grinning. "Just… floating."
He laughed softly. "Come on, sit."
She sank onto the couch, her eyes glimmering under the dim light. When he knelt to take off her heels, she touched his cheek.
"You're always so gentle," she whispered.
"You deserve gentle."
For a moment, silence.
Just the sound of their breathing — close, heavy, wanting.
Jenn leaned in first.
Their lips met — soft at first, then deeper, hungry.
It was messy, clumsy, but real.
Jeff pulled her closer, his hands trembling slightly as they explored the edges of her dress.
She didn't stop him.
Not this time.
"Jenn," he murmured, voice husky. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
She nodded, her fingers tightening on his shirt. "Yes."
Jeff stared at her. " Then let me know if it hurts."
He kissed her again, deeper this time, until the world outside didn't exist.
They stumbled toward the bed, hearts racing, breaths mingling.
And just as they were about to cross that line—
KNOCK. KNOCK.
Both froze.
Jeff blinked. "Who the hell—"
The knock came again. Firm. Persistent.
Jenn's heart pounded as Jeff reluctantly got up, running a hand through his hair and opening the door.
A woman stood there — elegant, middle-aged, eyes sharp as glass.
"Jeff," she said softly.
Jeff blinked in disbelief. "Aunt Carol? What're you doing here?"
"Surprise," she said, stepping inside. "I came to check up on you. We need to talk."
Her gaze drifted to Jenn — disheveled, flushed, and breathless — then back to Jeff, her expression unreadable.
The room went silent.