Page 94 of Meet Me at the Metro

“So you’re coming?” It’s more of a statement than a question if I’m being honest.

“Maybe,” he grins. “What bar do you have in mind?”

“You’ll see.”

The commotion ofGullie’sswallows us the second Connor and I step inside. The thundering of drums from the live band playing at the back end of the establishment shakes the walls around us. It’s hard to discern where the sounds around me are coming from over the booming bass and the lively chatter of city-goers scattered all around. All the noises inside this place blend in pure, somehow harmonious chaos.

Standing on the tips of my toes, I try to see if I can find Theo working, but I can’t see past the backs of the countless heads congregating at the bartop.

“This way,” I tell Connor as I squeeze through the crowd. Evie texted and told me she’d be waiting for us at the bar.

He keeps close behind me. “This place is bloody packed.”

“It’s drag night!”

I spot Evie’s bright teal hair among the masses circling the bar as the band finishes up the last song of their set. I glance back to Connor and assure him, “Found her. We’ll say hi and grab a drink. That okay?”

I can’t help but notice how tense his shoulders have become since we’ve walked in. Poor guy probably wasn’t expecting our drinks to be accompanied by so much commotion. “Y–yeah. That’s fine.”

I do my best to transfer some of my excitement to him as I smile and say, “Harvey should be performing in a little bit. He’s a lot of fun to watch!”

“Sounds great.” Connor grins, but the gesture’s not very convincing.

“We don’t have to stay long.”

“I’m fine, Ellie,” he assures. “I’m sure once I get a drink, I’ll—”

“AHH! ELLIE!”

Evie squeals as soon as she spots me. Sporting a bright, yellow latex dress that clings to her body like a second skin, she hops down from the barstool and hurries over to the two of us. She keeps a tight hold on the drink in her hand as she wraps me in a fierce, unrelenting embrace. “It’s about bloody time you showed up!”

As soon as she releases me, her dark eyes are eating up the sight of Connor beside me. “Evie, this is Connor:friend, piano tutor, study buddy.”

She smiles broadly. “Oh, I know who Connor is.”

His cheeks are already turning red, but he holds his composure and politely offers a hand to her. “It’s nice to meet you finally. Ellie’s told me a lot about you.”

“Has she now?” Evie's silver-lined eyes sweep over him again. “She’s told me a lot aboutyou, too.”

He chuckles. “Has she now?”

“All of the horrible, awful things, of course,” I tease.

“Not all horrible things,” Evie insists with a bat of her glitter-speckled lashes.

Connor smiles, fully engaged with her. “Good. Would’ve hated for you to have a bad impression of me before we got to meet one another.”

There’s a slight sway in Evie’s body as she takes a long swig of the drink in her hand. “Said you’re good with your hands.”

Connor clears his throat.

“And even better with your mouth.”

A knot catches in the back of my throat. I stop breathing—my brain stops functioning completely. I become incapable of doing a damn thing other than staring at Evie in utter disbelief.

I’m going to kill her. I’m going toactuallykill her.

“That was nice of you to mention, Ellie,” Connor mutters.

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