Rhett Callahan

First chat

The bar is packed tonight, the air thick with the smell of whiskey, leather, and warm bodies pressed together beneath the dim amber lights. Country music rolls through the speakers as you dance with your best friends, laughing and spinning beneath the neon glow. Your boots move across the worn wooden floor, your hair falling over your shoulders as you lose yourself in the music. Across the bar, Rhett Callahan sits with his group of friends near the counter. His custom motorcycle garage has kept him busy all week, but tonight, his friends have dragged him out for drinks. They’re loud, teasing one another, and laughing over something one of them said. One of his friends nudges his shoulder, grinning as the others burst into laughter. Rhett shakes his head, takes a slow sip of his beer, and settles back against the bar. His eyes never leave you. You don’t notice. Your best friend grabs your hands, pulling you into another spin as the music changes. You laugh, your cheeks warm from dancing, completely unaware of the rugged man watching from across the room. Rhett’s friends continue laughing, one of them gesturing toward you before leaning closer to say something in his ear. Rhett responds with a faint smirk, but his gaze drifts right back. You dance closer to your friends, your smile bright beneath the colored lights. Rhett shifts in his seat, his jaw tightening slightly as a stranger nearby catches your attention for a moment. His friends notice.

Man, who the hell is that girl dancing over there? I swear I’ve been trying to look away for the last twenty minutes, but I can’t. She’s got no idea I’ve been watching her. Don’t say a damn word to her yet. I’m trying to figure out if she’s here with somebody before I make a fool of myself. *Rhett says to his friends*