Chapter 5
Anna
The bar was louder than I expected; music thudding through the floor, voices overlapping, laughter bouncing off the walls. My plastic crown was tied to my head, and I had long given up protesting the sash that read Bride-to-Be.
“Reservation for five?” the bartender asked, scanning the crowd.
“Yes, right this way,” Chloe said, practically dragging us to a corner table that somehow felt both private and part of the madness around us.
I laughed, leaning against the table. Everything felt surreal in the best way, like I was standing inside a moment I’d replay years from now, telling myself this was the night everything still made sense.
As I turned, my eyes wandered across the crowded room without really trying.
That’s when I saw a man, gorgeous, impossibly composed, standing with two other guys.
His posture was perfect, shoulders broad, dark hair falling just so naturally, and there was a kind of calm control about him, like the space around him seemed to bend just to fit him.
He wasn’t smiling. He wasn’t sipping a drink.
He wasn’t looking at anyone in particular.
Except, briefly me.
Our eyes met. Just a flicker of awareness, like accidentally walking into someone else’s thoughts.
I frowned, unsettled by the intensity of it. The moment stretched long enough for me to wonder if I’d imagined it, if my tired mind was playing tricks.
Then he looked away.
I shook my head, forcing the thought down. I’m about to get married.
And the guilt hit harder than any lingering awareness of just how ridiculously attractive he was.
“Hey bride,” Tatum said, nudging me. “You good?”
“Yeah,” I said, shaking my head. “I thought someone was staring.”
Chloe leaned forward, scanning the room. “Where?”
I gestured vaguely. “Over there. Never mind. Probably nothing.”
“Please,” she scoffed. “Everyone’s staring. You’re wearing a crown.”
Tatum laughed. While Chloe groaned dramatically about marriage ending their fun. I smiled, letting the noise pull me back in.
Still, my eyes flicked once more in his direction.
He was already turned away, shoulders angled toward the exit, engaged in conversation, as if I’d never existed.
Weird.
“Hey,” Chloe said suddenly, lowering her voice. “You see that guy? The one with the black shirt? That’s Dr. Collins.”
I blinked. “You know him?”
“Not personally. He’s my dad’s neurosurgeon. Absolute genius. Total ice block. Nurses are obsessed with him, apparently.”
I glanced again, curiosity more than interest. He looked exactly like she’d described. Controlled. Distant. Untouchable.
“Well,” I said lightly, lifting my glass, “he looks very… professional.”
Chloe snorted. “That’s one word for it.”
“Too bad,” Tatum added, grinning. “His friend is definitely checking you out.”
I followed her gaze and caught one of the men smiling openly in my direction.
“Relax,” I said. “I’m off the market.”
They cheered. Chloe pulled me into a group photo. Shots were raised. Music surged.
“Oh my word, they’re coming over!” Chloe squealed.
“Well, only the two,” Tatum corrected, rolling her eyes slightly.
Veronica, as usual, stayed silent, her arms crossed over her chest. I glanced at her, curious, I understood why my sister was quiet. But Veronica?
The two men approached, smiling. “Hey, ladies,” they said in perfect unison. “Do you mind if we join you?”
“Yes, sure!” Chloe chirped, leaning forward eagerly. She glanced toward the neurosurgeon. “Your other friend not coming?”
Tim shrugged casually. “Ah, he’s… self-absorbed. Doesn’t mingle much, except with close friends.”
Veronica arched a brow. “Is he… off the market?”
“No, but he’s not exactly on the market either,” Tim replied smoothly.
Veronica’s lips pressed into a thin line, disappointment flickering in her eyes.
Tim extended his hand toward me, palm open. “I’m Tim,” he said, holding it just long enough to make it clear he noticed the significance. “You must be the bride.”
“Obviously,” I said, tapping my sash that read Bride-to-Be with a laugh, “ I’m Anna.”
“Pleased to meet you Anna.” Tim chuckled, then gestured to his friend. “And this is Marlon.”
“These are my friends,” I said, gesturing around. “Chloe, Veronica, Tatum and my sister, Nancy.”
Marlon’s gaze landed on Nancy immediately. He stepped closer, reaching for her hand with a confident grin. “You have a beautiful smile,” he said, voice warm, flirtatious.
Nancy tilted her head slightly, her fingers moving in a swift, fluid rhythm, signing something with practiced ease.
Marlon’s smile faltered, hesitation flickering across his face as he realized she wasn’t just shy, she wasn’t speaking at all.
Her expression remained calm, almost amused, a gentle challenge in her eyes.
I watched the exchange with a small, impressed smile. Nancy didn’t need words to command attention, and even Marlon, confident as he was, had to adjust his approach.
I watched, curious. He squinted, trying to follow her movements. Then he glanced at me, awkwardly shrugging. “Uh… your sister is…?”
I smiled gently. “She’s amazing. And she communicates this way,” I said, nodding toward her hands.
“Oh,” he said, a little flustered, “I… see. Right. That’s… cool.”
Nancy just gave a polite smile, eyes crinkling at the corners. No words. No fuss. Just presence.
Tim leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, teasing tone. “How about the two of us slip out of here? Enjoy your last night of freedom before you’re… locked in.”
Heat crept up my neck and cheeks. Why was he looking at me like that? "Seriously? You'd pass up my three beautiful friends and my sister for the one who's already taken?”
“They’re not as gorgeous as you,” he whispered, his tone soft, seductive, the kind that made your stomach tighten without permission.
Veronica tilted her head, smirking. “I think you should go with him.”
I spun to glare at her. “I can’t believe you’re agreeing with him.”
“It’s your bachelorette party,” Veronica shrugged. “He’s right, you might as well enjoy the last bit of freedom. How harmful could it be? You’re not married yet.”
I blinked, flustered, my hands tightening around my drink. “I… I’m sorry, but this is disrespectful.”
Tim chuckled, reaching out to nudge my chin lightly with his thumb. “You’re cute. I respect faithful women… so tell me, what kind of man scored a gorgeous girl like you?”
“Her fiancé is a divorce lawyer,” Chloe cut in, rolling her eyes.
Tim’s eyes glinted, amusement in his voice. “Mm… splitting up couples for a living? You should let him know, Karma is real. And when it visits his doorstep… maybe a doctor will scoop up his bride first.”
Chloe and Tatum laughed, clearly entertained, but Veronica’s jaw tightened slightly. She didn’t look pleased with all the attention I was getting.
“Isn’t that exactly what you’re trying?” I pressed. “Splitting up a couple about to get married? Let’s see if Karma hits you first.”
He arched a brow at me, trying to keep his composure. “Feisty, I see.”
“So,” I said, glancing between Tim and Marlon, “I’m guessing you’re both in medicine?”
Tim nodded. “Yeah. Marlon’s an Orthopaedic spine surgeon. And I’m a trauma surgeon.”
“And he is a neuro….” subtly pointing toward the man seated alone a short distance away.
Tim frowned. “Yes. Wait, how did you know that?”
I hesitated. “Um…Chloe mentioned he’s her dad’s neurosurgeon.”
Tim’s brows lifted. “Ah. So you were checking him out.”
“No,” Chloe shot back quickly. “I just recognized him.”
Tim smirked but let it go. “So, what do you do?” he asked, turning back to me.
“I’m a kindergarten teacher.”
“Your friends too?” he asked, sweeping his gaze over the table.
“Oh no,” Veronica cut in smoothly, lifting her chin. “I’m a numbers person. A job that actually requires brainpower.”
I caught Chloe rolling her eyes so hard I thought they might stick.
Tim raised a brow. “And that would be…?”
“Well, what else could it be?” Veronica said with a confident smile. “I’m an accountant.”
Tim tilted his head, smiling faintly. “Ah, impressive. Even basic numbers can be tricky sometimes. Respect.”
Veronica’s smile faltered slightly.
Then he turned to Chloe. “And you?”
“I’m an actuary,” Chloe said.
Tim’s eyes lit up, a genuine spark in his expression. “Now that’s what I call real numbers. Probability, risk modelling…not something you just pick up. Impressive.”
Chloe’s smile widened, clearly pleased.
Tim turned to Tatum next, opening his mouth to ask, but she beat him to it. “Marketing.”
“And my sister,” I added, nodding toward Nancy, “is a wedding planner, and a part-time fashion designer.”
Marlon glanced at Nancy, his smile softening. “She’s beautiful.”
“Just like her sister,” Tim added, his tone warm.
Heat crept into my cheeks as I smiled politely, aware of Veronica’s silence beside me, and the way her eyes rolled.
I glanced at my watch, trying to steer the conversation back to reality. “It’s getting late. My fiancé is probably worried at home. I should get going.”
My gaze flicked to the corner, where Tim’s friend sat a little apart, eyes on the room. Our eyes met for a second, then he looked away quickly. I nudged Tim lightly. “Think your friend is waiting for you… and Marlon.”
Tim smirked, leaning back but still giving me a look that promised he wasn’t done teasing. “Maybe… but I had to see if you’d crack first.”
I shook my head, exhaling. “I’m not that easy.”
Tim lifted his glass in a mock toast, a crooked smile tugging at his mouth. Then he reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a business card, and slid it across the table toward Chloe.
“Since your friend here is spoken for,” he said lightly, “you can have my number. We can talk numbers.”
Chloe glanced at the card for half a second, then calmly slid it back toward him. “I want that doctor over there,” she said, nodding across the bar.
We all turned to look.
“Collins?” Tim let out a low whistle. “Well… guess I won’t be getting lucky tonight.”
“Maybe if you hadn’t tried hitting on my friend first, things could’ve been different,” Chloe said, grinning. “I hate being second choice.”
Tim laughed, pressing a hand to his chest in exaggerated defeat. “My mistake.”
That was when I noticed him rising from his chair. He was heading straight toward us.
I leaned in and nudged Tim lightly. “I think your friend wants to head out, he’s coming this way.”
By the time he reached our table, Tim was already turning toward us. “Ladies,” he said, gesturing beside him, “this is my friend, Ian Collins.” He went on to introduce the rest of us.
“Hey,” Ian said with a brief wave. His voice was calm, measured. Then his gaze settled on me. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” I replied, offering a small smile. There was a brief pause. Just enough to make me feel it. I tilted my head slightly, searching for something to say.
“Neurosurgery must be… intense,” I said lightly. “I can’t imagine what your days look like.”
His gaze held mine for a second longer, then he gave a small nod.
“It is.”
That was it. No elaboration. No softening. Just a single, precise answer. For some reason, it made my stomach twist.
“Oh,” I said, letting out a small breath of laughter. “Well… that sounds like a lot.”
Another nod, like I wasn’t saying anything worth his time.
I became suddenly aware of everything, the music, the voices around us, the way Chloe shifted beside me, the way Tim looked like he was holding back a grin.
Then our eyes met again. Ian’s attention flicked away first, like he’d caught himself lingering too long. He turned slightly toward Tim.
“Ready?”
Tim didn’t hesitate. “Yeah.”
Chairs scraped softly against the floor as he stood, Marlon rising beside him.
“Anyway, ladies,” Tim added, flashing an easy smile, “it was a pleasure meeting you.”
“Goodbye, Dr. Collins,” Chloe called after them, clearly amused.
Ian paused just long enough to glance back over his shoulder. A faint smile touched his lips, brief but real this time.
“Good luck with the wedding.”
And then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd as effortlessly as he had arrived.
I let out a slow breath, my fingers still curled loosely around my glass.