Welcome to the Single Club （Kind Of）
The bass thumped through the speakers, the bar buzzing with weekend energy. Celeste felt alive. It had been ages since she let loose like this, and she was determined to enjoy every second.
"Another shot?" Mia grinned, already signaling the bartender.
Celeste smirked. "Obviously."
She downed the tequila in one go, the warmth spreading through her chest. The world felt lighter. Brighter. Like she had finally broken free from the invisible chains holding her down.
Mia draped an arm around her shoulder. "Alright, babe, tell me—how did Mr. Ice King take the news?"
Celeste rolled her eyes. "He thinks I'm joking."
Mia snorted. "Of course, he does. The man probably thinks you'll die loving him."
Celeste clicked her tongue. "Ugh, exactly. So, I'm making sure he knows I'm serious."
With a wicked grin, she stood on her barstool and raised her glass.
"Attention, everyone!"
Heads turned.
Mia gasped. "Oh my god, yes. Drama."
Celeste grinned. "As of today, I am single again! Drinks are on me!"
The entire bar erupted into cheers. Strangers clinked their glasses, bartenders rushed to fill more orders, and Mia hollered like a proud mother.
"To new beginnings!" Celeste toasted, downing another shot.
And then—
A shiver ran down her spine.
That unmistakable feeling of being watched.
She turned her head.
And there, leaning against the bar's VIP section, was him.
Adrian Sinclair.
Her husband.
Or rather, the man she was trying to divorce.
The neon lights flickered across his sharp features—jaw clenched, gray eyes locked on hers with an intensity that made her stomach flip.
He looked effortlessly polished, even in this setting.
Dark dress shirt rolled up at the sleeves, top button undone, exuding that annoyingly sexy arrogance he always carried.
Celeste nearly choked on her drink. "Oh... crap."
Mia followed her gaze and gasped. "No way. No way. Did he follow you here?!"
Celeste swallowed hard. "I hope not. That would be creepy, right?"
But Adrian wasn't alone. His best friend, Ethan, stood beside him, arms crossed, shaking his head in amusement.
Ethan turned to Adrian. "Damn, bro. Your wife just announced she's single. In a bar. With free drinks. That's rough."
Adrian's grip on his glass tightened. "She's still my wife."
Ethan smirked. "Not according to her."
Adrian shot him a glare before making his way toward Celeste.
Her heart hammered.
Mia, ever the agent of chaos, whispered, "You better act unbothered right now."
Celeste inhaled sharply, straightened her back, and took another sip of her drink.
Adrian stopped right in front of her, his expression unreadable. "Celeste."
She blinked up at him, feigning innocence. "Adrian! Fancy seeing you here. Should I order you a drink? Oh wait—you're not single."
His jaw twitched. "Neither are you."
She grinned. "Are you sure? Because I just told this entire bar otherwise."
A muscle in his jaw tightened. "Celeste—"
Mia nudged her. "Flirt with someone. Right now."
Celeste, running purely on tequila and adrenaline, turned to the bartender. "Hey, what's your name?"
The bartender blinked. "Uh... Josh?"
She beamed. "Josh! You're cute. Want to take a shot with me?"
Josh laughed, but before he could answer, Adrian grabbed her wrist.
Her breath hitched.
His touch was warm, firm. And when she looked up at him, his eyes weren't just angry anymore—there was something else. Something dangerous.
Jealousy.
Butterflies erupted in her stomach.
Adrian leaned down, his voice dangerously low. "Careful, Celeste. You're playing a game you won't win."
She smirked. "Watch me."