The night had been going wonderfully, and Anna found herself enjoying the party more than she had expected. The laughter, the dancing, and the camaraderie among the cast and crew created an atmosphere that was both lively and comforting. It felt like they were all in this together, not just making a movie, but sharing an experience that would bond them long after the cameras stopped rolling.
As the evening wore on, Anna found herself drifting from conversation to conversation, each one accompanied by another sip of wine or a playful toast with a cocktail. It wasn't often that she let herself unwind like this, and tonight, she felt free to just enjoy the moment.
Chloe, ever the life of the party, had challenged Anna to a dance-off, and the two of them had spent the better part of an hour twirling and laughing on the dance floor. Anna had lost track of how many drinks she'd had, but she was feeling giddy and light, the alcohol sending a warm, pleasant buzz through her body.
At some point, Rogan had joined them, laughing along as they danced and joked around. He was relaxed, his usual reserved demeanor softened by the easygoing vibe of the party. Anna had never seen him like this—so open, so unguarded—and it only made her feel closer to him.
By the time the group decided to take a break from dancing, Anna was feeling decidedly tipsy. She giggled as Chloe made a dramatic bow, declaring herself the winner of their dance-off. "You're too good, Chloe," Anna laughed, her words slightly slurred. "I surrender!"
Chloe grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You put up a good fight, Anna. I'll give you that."
Rogan, who had been watching with an amused smile, stepped closer to Anna as Chloe flitted off to find more partygoers to entertain. "You alright?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Anna nodded, though she swayed slightly as she did. "I'm good. Just… a little dizzy." She giggled again, not entirely sure why.
Rogan chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I think you might have had one too many drinks."
"Maybe," Anna admitted, leaning against the railing for support. "But it's been fun."
"It has," Rogan agreed, his gaze soft as he watched her. There was something endearing about the way she was acting, so different from her usual composed self. He found it… cute.
Anna tilted her head, looking up at him with wide, slightly unfocused eyes. "You're really nice, Rogan. You know that?"
He smiled, his heart warming at her words. "Thanks, Anna. You're pretty nice yourself."
She laughed again, the sound light and bubbly. "I don't think I've ever seen you like this before. You're always so serious on set."
Rogan shrugged, still smiling. "Guess I'm letting my guard down a bit. It's nice to relax."
Anna nodded, then suddenly reached out, resting a hand on his arm to steady herself. "Whoa, the world's spinning a little."
"Alright, I think we need to get you some water," Rogan said, his voice laced with amusement. He gently took her by the elbow, guiding her away from the dance floor and toward a quieter corner of the rooftop.
Anna let him lead her, feeling strangely safe and comfortable with him by her side. "You're like a knight in shining armor," she teased, her words playful.
Rogan chuckled, shaking his head. "Not quite, but I'll take that as a compliment."
They reached a small seating area where a few bottles of water were set out. Rogan handed one to Anna, who took it gratefully and began to sip. "Thanks," she murmured, feeling a little more grounded as the cool water trickled down her throat.
Rogan sat down next to her, keeping an eye on her as she drank. "You should probably slow down on the drinks for the rest of the night."
Anna nodded, feeling a bit sheepish. "Yeah, you're probably right. I'm not usually like this, you know."
"I know," Rogan said softly. "But it's okay. You're allowed to have fun."
She looked at him, her gaze lingering on his face. There was something about the way he was looking at her—gentle, caring, with a hint of amusement—that made her heart flutter. "You're really sweet, Rogan. I'm glad we're working together."
"I'm glad too," he replied, his voice sincere.
Anna smiled, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the alcohol. She leaned her head on his shoulder, surprising both of them with the sudden gesture. "You don't mind, do you?" she asked, her voice small.
Rogan felt his heart skip a beat. "Not at all," he said, his voice soft.
They sat like that for a while, the noise of the party fading into the background as they shared this quiet moment. Anna could feel the steady rise and fall of Rogan's chest as he breathed, the warmth of his presence grounding her in a way that felt unexpectedly comforting.
"You know," Anna murmured, her words slightly muffled against his shoulder, "I didn't think we'd get along this well."
Rogan tilted his head slightly to look at her, though she kept her eyes closed. "What do you mean?"
"I mean… we're so different," she explained, her thoughts a little hazy. "But now, I feel like we're… I don't know, like we're really connecting."
Rogan smiled, his heart swelling with a feeling he couldn't quite name. "Yeah, I think we are."
Anna lifted her head, looking up at him with a slightly dazed but happy expression. "I'm glad. I like you, Rogan."
He chuckled, finding her honesty endearing. "I like you too, Anna."
She grinned, then hiccuped, which only made her giggle more. "Oops," she said, covering her mouth with her hand. "Guess that's a sign I should call it a night."
"Probably," Rogan agreed, though he was in no hurry to end their time together. "Come on, let's get you back to your hotel."
Anna nodded, letting Rogan help her to her feet. He was careful to keep a steady hold on her as they made their way through the remnants of the party. A few of their colleagues waved goodbye, some with knowing smiles, but Rogan paid them no mind. His focus was entirely on making sure Anna got back safely.
As they reached the street, Rogan called for a car, and they stood together in the cool night air while they waited. Anna leaned against him, feeling a deep sense of contentment despite her slightly woozy state.
"You're really good at this, you know," she said, her voice soft.
"At what?" Rogan asked, amused.
"At taking care of people," Anna replied, her words slow and thoughtful. "It's nice."
Rogan felt a warmth in his chest at her words. "I'm glad you think so."
When the car arrived, Rogan helped Anna inside, then climbed in after her. The ride back to the hotel was quiet, Anna resting her head on his shoulder once again. By the time they arrived, she was half-asleep, her breathing slow and steady.
Rogan gently woke her, guiding her out of the car and into the hotel lobby. The night staff greeted them with polite nods, and Rogan led Anna to the elevator, keeping a careful hold on her as they rode up to her floor.
When they reached her room, Anna fumbled for her key card, but Rogan took it from her, unlocking the door with ease. He helped her inside, making sure she was steady on her feet before letting go.
"Thanks, Rogan," Anna murmured, her voice heavy with exhaustion.
"You're welcome," he replied, smiling down at her. "Get some rest, okay?"
She nodded, her eyes already drooping. "Goodnight, Rogan."
"Goodnight, Anna," he said softly.
As he turned to leave, Anna called out to him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Rogan?"
He paused, looking back at her. "Yeah?"
"Thanks for being here," she said, her eyes half-closed. "I really appreciate it."
Rogan's heart swelled with affection. "Anytime, Anna. Sleep well."
With that, he quietly left her room, closing the door behind him. As he made his way back to his own room, Rogan couldn't help but smile. The night had taken an unexpected turn, but he didn't mind at all. In fact, he found himself looking forward to whatever the next day might bring.