Page 3 of Ghost Of You

“She’s hot,” Ethan says, making me chuckle.

“That’s the whole point of her job.Sex sells,” I reply.

Ethan’s eyes light up as he adds, “Shecan sell me whatever she wants. I’m buying.” He licks his lips, and I can’t help but shake my head at his eagerness.

As if she can hear him across the bar, the waitress turns and locks eyes with us, her gaze lingering on Ethan. With a confident strut, she makes her way over, stopping right in front of him. She smiles, taking him in with a deliberate, slow look. “Looking for me, handsome?” she asks, her voice dripping with seduction.

Ethan grins widely. “Well, I wouldn’t say no to you,” he replies, biting his lip and letting his eyes roam over her.

She closes the distance between them, now standing extremely close. She places a hand on his chin, gently lifting his face so he meets her eyes instead of focusing on her body. “My eyes are up here, handsome. Play your cards right, and you might get to seemore. I get off work in two hours. If you’re still around then, you can buy me a drink, and we can see where the night takes us,” she says, releasing his chin with a teasing smile.

Ethan smirks, his eyes still locked on her. “Oh, I’ll be here alright, beautiful.”

“I count on it,” she says, winking at him before turning to strut her way over to another group waiting to buy shots.

Ethan turns to me, his excitement evident as he grabs my shoulders. “Guess who’s getting laid tonight, Killian?” he grins, and I shake my head, chuckling slowly.

“Yo, what can I get you?” a voice shouts, pulling my attention to the bartender leaning over the bar to be heard over the blaring music.

Leaning in, I shout back, “Three beers, any.” He nods and moves down the bar, opening a fridge and pulling out three bottles.

Returning with the beers, he grabs a bottle opener and pops the tops off, setting them on the bar. “Twelve,” he shouts.

I hand him a twenty, and after a brief moment, he returns my change, which I slip back into my wallet before stuffing it into my back pocket.

Just as I reach for the beers, Ethan grabs both bottles and hands one to Jasper. I lift my beer to my lips, feeling the cold liquid slide down my throat. The bitterness of the beer makes me grimace at the bottle. “God, this stuff is shit,” I mutter.

“Isn’t it always?” Ethan chuckles, taking a swig and scanning the crowd, clearly in high spirits.

Turning my attention back to the club, I see the DJ perched on a small platform in the centre of the room. The surrounding dance floor is packed with people, their bodies moving in sync with the pounding music. Staff members are constantly weaving through the crowd, collecting discarded bottles and cups to prevent any hazards.

Across the dance floor, I spot a couple engaged in an enthusiastic make-out session. Their kiss is rough and clumsy, their tongues clashing as the guy's hand makes its way to her rear, giving it a hefty squeeze. A club photographer, ever on the lookout for candid shots, snaps a quick picture. The girl pulls away, flashing a bright smile at the camera, prompting the photographer to take another shot of them both posing. As soon as he moves on, they resume their passionate embrace.

Another nudge from Ethan draws my attention to the far corner of the club. Two men are trading punches, while a girl frantically tries to separate them. It’s a reminder of how alcohol can escalate situations—nights out often end in one of two ways: either you're stumbling drunk and vomiting, or you’re left with bruises and bloody noses. Tonight, it looks like it's going to be the latter for those involved.

As the bouncers escort the fighting men out, something—or rather, someone—catches my eye. In the corner of the room, a brunette is dancing with her friends.

As I watch her sway her hips to the rhythm of the music, my gaze takes in every detail from head to toe. She wears tight blue skinny jeans with intentional rips, a short black netted top that reveals a hint of the black bra underneath, and a pair of black heels that accentuate her every movement. Her long, chestnut-brown hair cascades in waves down to her hips, catching the strobe lights as she dances.

When she briefly turns in my direction, I don’t get a clear view of her face, but I can’t miss the intricate tattoos that cover her arms. Black and grey floral designs snake their way down to the tops of her hands, adding a layer of mystique to her already captivating presence.

Despite the throngs of women around her, some dressed in more revealing outfits, there’s something about her that pulls me in, commanding my full attention. It's not just her looks butthe way she moves, the way she seems to lose herself in the music, creating a magnetic aura that makes her stand out amidst the chaos of the club. She’s a true enchantress, and I can’t help but feel drawn to her.

As she dances, she spins, and that's when I finally catch a glimpse of her face. It feels like the world around me slows down, the vibrant chaos of the club fading into a blur as the light above cascades down, illuminating her with a celestial glow. In this moment, she seems almost otherworldly, as if stars have gathered in her eyes and angels themselves are highlighting her presence just for me.

Her smile blossoms, and as it does, so does mine. The way her lips curve, the warmth in her expression—it all amplifies the natural flush in her rosy cheeks, which contrasts beautifully against her sun-kissed skin. She’s more stunning than I ever remembered, more captivating than I could have imagined. In the midst of the crowded, noisy nightclub, she stands out like a beacon, her beauty shining through every beat of the music.

Laelia Jayne Marie Thorn.

My first love.

Chapter two

Feeling my heart skip a beat and the air in my lungs disappear, I choke on my drink, sputtering up beer. The sudden eruption causes me to look around, my face flushed with embarrassment. A firm thump on my back pulls me from my daze, and I glance over to see Ethan, his face barely concealed beneath the effort of stifling his laughter.

“You okay there, Killian?” he asks, his grin wide and infectious.

I nod, forcing a smile as I clear my throat. “Yeah, it just went down the wrong way,” I reply, trying to match his light-heartedness. Ethan chuckles, the sound a comforting reminder of our friendship.

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