The bar was already alive when Eva Meadows stepped inside.
Warm lights spilled across polished counters, laughter filled the corners, and the sound of glass clinking with the beat of an upbeat song. The air smelled like citrus, gin, and people who wanted to forget their week.
Eva adjusted the strap of her purse and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She was still in her nurse's uniform, her white cardigan draped over it. Her long legs and graceful posture drew attention whether she liked it or not and tonight, apparently, everyone noticed.
"Hey, beautiful," a man called from a nearby booth, lifting his drink. "You lost or just looking for company?"
Eva didn't even break stride.
Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she passed, her face calm and unreadable.
"Damn," another one whispered to his friend. "That's the look of a woman who knows she's out of your league."
She heard them. She always did. But she didn't care.
Across the counter, Audrey, her best friend, was in her element.
She was laughing with a customer, sliding him his drink and flashing the kind of smile that made tips rain down. Her black tank top shimmered under the bar lights exposing her oil cleavage. her hair wild, golden, and free. It was like the men came to see Audrey rather than drinking.
When she spotted Eva, her eyes lit up.
"Look who finally decided to crawl out of the hospital!" she shouted over the music.
Eva smiled faintly and leaned against the counter. "You know I hate this place when it's loud."
Audrey rolled her eyes. "Oh please, you love watching me work. Admit it."
"I came for the keys," Eva said, holding out her hand. "You left them again this morning."
"Oh, right!!" Audrey reached into her apron pocket, fishing them out. "I swear I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached."
She dropped the keys into Eva's palm. "You could've just texted, you know."
"I wanted to see you," Eva said, sliding the keys into her bag. "Besides, I needed to talk to you."
Audrey arched a brow. "About what?"
Eva hesitated for a moment, glancing at the crowd before leaning a bit closer. "I took a new contract."
"A contract?" Audrey asked, drying a glass, her tone immediately curious. "What kind of contract?"
"Private nurse." Eva's voice was calm, but her fingers fidgeted with her bracelet. "The patient's… Nathan Ward."
The glass slipped slightly in Audrey's hand. "Wait whatttt, Nathan Ward? As in, the Nathan Ward? The one all over the billboards?"
Eva nodded.
Audrey stared for a moment, mouth open. Then she let out a loud whistle.
"Girl" she paused for a while letting her smile out "you've officially made it. You're gonna be taking care of him? Oh my God, he's like every woman's fantasy. Women die to have a selfie with him and now you're his private nurse? Aaahhh"
Eva groaned. "Audrey."
"No, don't 'Audrey' me," she said, leaning forward. "You mean to tell me you'll be around that man every day, and you're just saying it like you got assigned to some random patient?"
Eva looked down at the counter, her tone flat. "It's just work. And it pays well. I didn't have much of a choice."
Audrey frowned slightly. "You sound like you hate the idea."
"I don't hate it," Eva said quietly. "I just… don't care. He's a patient. That's it."
Audrey crossed her arms, studying her. "Hmm. You don't care, yet you came all the way here to talk about it?"
Eva sighed. "You're impossible."
"And you're hiding something." Audrey grinned mischievously. "Come on, tell me the truth. He's handsome, isn't he?"
Eva looked up at her, unimpressed. "You've seen his face everywhere. What do you think?"
"Think?" Audrey said dramatically. "I know. The man looks like sin in human form."
Eva tried not to laugh, but a small chuckle escaped her. "You're hopeless."
"Hopelessly right," Audrey shot back, eyes twinkling. Then her voice softened. "So what's really bothering you?"
Eva hesitated. "It's not that. It's just.. he's not exactly a good person. Arrogant. Flirty. The kind of man who thinks the world spins for him."
Audrey smirked. "Sounds like every man you've ever rejected."
"Exactly my point."
For a moment, the two friends just smiled at each other.
Eva's calm eyes met Audrey's wild ones, and in that contrast, their friendship made sense—fire and water, chaos and calm.
Audrey leaned closer. "Still, I'm happy for you. You deserve something big, even if it's just a paycheck for now. You've been breaking your back at that hospital for months."
Eva nodded slowly. "I just want to pay off my bills. That's all."
Audrey sighed, her tone turning soft. "You're too good for that boyfriend of yours, you know."
"Not this again," Eva murmured.
"I'm serious," Audrey said. "Henry's sweet, but he doesn't see you. You're stuck. You deserve someone who challenges you—someone who makes your blood race a little."
Eva smirked faintly. "Like you and your parade of bar flirts?"
"Exactly," Audrey said proudly. "At least they make me feel alive."
Eva rolled her eyes but smiled.
Before she could respond, a man at the bar leaned over, grinning at her.
"Hey, nurse," he said, eyeing her from head to toe. "You got a name, or should I just call you gorgeous?"
Audrey glared. "She's taken. Move along, Romeo."
The man raised his hands in surrender and backed off with a laugh.
Eva sighed. "You didn't have to do that."
"Oh yes, I did," Audrey said, smirking. "You've got that aura—you walk in, and men forget they have girlfriends."
"That's not my fault."
"I know," Audrey said, chuckling. "It's a gift."
Eva shook her head, amused. "You're ridiculous."
"Wait, is Henry aware of the contract?" Audrey chipped in
" Hell no" she said "cause if he does, there's no way he's gonna let me sign it. He's one jealous kind and who's gonna pay my bills?" She added.
"Now ,That's my girl"
They shared a laugh before the music softened for a new track. The chatter dimmed just a little. The moment felt calm, almost comfortable.
Then Eva's phone buzzed.
She glanced down at the screen and froze.
Henry.
Her chest tightened slightly. She picked it up, pressing it to her ear. "Hey, Henry."
His voice was low, serious. "Eva, Where are you?"
"At the bar. Why?"
There was a pause. She heard him exhale on the other end. "We need to talk."
Eva frowned. "About what?"
"Just… come home soon, okay? Please."
The line clicked off before she could say anything else.
She stared at the phone for a second, the weight of his tone sinking into her. It wasn't angry, but it wasn't normal, either.
Audrey watched her. "What's up? He finally decided to propose or something?"
Eva forced a small laugh. "Doubt it. He just sounded… strange."
"Strange how?"
"I don't know," Eva said quietly, slipping the phone into her bag. "Like something's wrong."
Audrey reached over and touched her arm gently. "Hey. Whatever it is, you'll handle it. You always do."
Eva smiled softly, but her eyes didn't match the smile.
"I hope so."
The noise of the bar returned around them—music, laughter, people—but for Eva, everything felt a little distant, muted, like the world had turned down its volume.
She said her goodbyes and started toward the door, Audrey's voice calling after her.
"Text me when you get home, okay?"
"I will," Eva said, pulling her cardigan closer.
Outside, the night air was cool, sharp. Her footsteps echoed down the street as she replayed Henry's voice in her head.
"We need to talk."