"God, you look stunning," Nick blurted out, the words slipping past his lips before he could restrain them.
Rachel's smile, radiant and unrestrained, bloomed in response, a genuine smile from her the first of the entire night.
"You don't look so bad yourself," Rachel replied, her own smile lingering, a subtle playfulness infusing her words. Secretly, she thought Nick looked more than just 'not bad'—he looked positively captivating, and her racing pulse betrayed the whirlwind of emotions he stirred within her.
A soft chuckle escaped Nick's lips, the genuine mirth in his eyes echoing the unspoken delight between them, an unanticipated connection that seemed to grow with every passing moment.
"Mmm... do you want a drink?" Nick offered, a hint of warmth coloring his voice.
Rachel nodded in agreement. "Yeah, sure," she replied, her gaze locked on his, the shared moment igniting a subtle spark of anticipation within her.
