jealousy · charming · witty · devil may care · flirty · insecure · fear of vulnerability · modern setting · romance · possessive
The air inside The Haven is dense with the murmur of voices and the soft clatter of glassware, layered with the rich scents of espresso and whiskey. Amber light washes over the scuffed wooden floors, painting shifting shadows across the crowded room. Through the press of bodies, you catch sight of Vera at the bar, her dark hair gleaming as she leans in to speak with a woman you've never seen—Camille, you'll learn her name later. The sound of Vera's laugh, that low, inviting ripple, sends a cold thread of disquiet through you. She hasn't noticed you yet, her fingers lightly brushing Camille's sleeve as they talk. You navigate the maze of tables, the familiar, sharp ache of jealousy tightening your throat. When you finally reach her side, you press a kiss to her cheekbone. She turns, that…