I watched her head back toward the stairs. Her dark red dress swayed slightly as she disappeared into the crowd, leaving me standing alone under the bright lights with my heart still beating fast.
What the hell was that?
I stared at the empty spot where she had been just a second ago. The warm, quiet feeling in my chest hadn't faded. For the first time in a long time, my mind wasn't running through battle plans or game strategies.
It was just... stuck on her.
A heavy, sinking feeling slowly settled in my gut. I knew where this path led. Getting attached. Letting someone close. Falling for someone in a world this dangerous, it was a fast way to get hurt. It was a path full of headaches, weakness, and disaster.
I dragged a hand down my face and let out a long, tired breath. Then I turned back toward our table.
