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“Olivia—” I hesitate, searching for an escape route from this discussion.

“I hear it’s got an awesome vibe,” she continues, not taking my reluctance as an answer. “Have you ever been? It’s supposed to be one of the best dance spots downtown. The lights, the people, the music—just think about it!”

A flood of memories wash over me—the kind that don’t belong to someone who works cases involving violence andabuse. I hate nightclubs. The throbbing beats echoing through clubs remind me too much of chaos.

“I’m not really into that scene,” I mumble under my breath. The truth is, I haven’t been to a nightclub since the early days when Ryan and I first started dating. He loved to go dancing, get lost in the sea of people.

“Oh come on!” She nudges me playfully. “You’ve been cooped up long enough! You don’t have parental duties tonight. You said Leo was staying the night with a friend, so you can’t use him as an excuse. Just think of it as a distraction from all … well, you know.”

“Distraction?” I raise an eyebrow at her choice of words. My life is a series of distractions—work always pulling me back in. How else am I to cope with suddenly being a single mom to my nephew after his parents died and my marriage failed because I couldn’t have kids? The irony in my current situation is maddening.

“I promise you’ll have fun! Besides,” she adds with a teasing grin, “you might meet someone interesting.”

My heart sinks at the thought. I can’t afford distractions—especially not ones that involve men. They only complicate things more than they already are.

“No way,” I assert.

Olivia smirks and crosses her arms defiantly. “I need a better reason as to why you don’t want to go.”

I shake my head again, my heart racing at the thought of stepping into a nightclub. The pulsing lights, the throngs of people moving like waves, it all feels like a drowning experience waiting to happen.

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea,” I say, forcing a tight smile. “I’ve got a lot on my plate.”

Lydia spins around, her hazel eyes glinting with determination. “What’s on your plate that can’t wait one night? You work hard, Eve! You deserve this.”

“Yeah,” Olivia chimes in. “We all do. We’re not going to let you hide away forever.” She jabs her finger toward me playfully. “Plus, you never know who you might meet. Someone who gets it.”

I feel the heat rise to my cheeks. “You mean someone who’ll want kids?” The words slip out before I can stop them, and the moment hangs heavy between us.

Lydia softens her expression. “That’s not fair—”

“Look, I’m just saying,” I cut in, frustration creeping into my tone. “It’s not about hiding away. I’m just … cautious.”

Olivia raises an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing at her lips. “Cautious? Since when did you become cautious? You’re a cop for crying out loud.”

“That’s reason enough to be extra cautious,” I say sharply, memories crashing over me like waves.

“Evelyn,” Lydia says softly, stepping closer as if trying to close the gap between our worlds. “We’re here for you. Tonight is about enjoying life again.”

A sigh escapes me. Their insistence wears down my walls like water eroding stone.

“Okay,” I finally relent, unsure how much of it is resignation or curiosity bubbling beneath the surface.

“Yes!” Olivia cheers, throwing her arms up in victory.

“But if I don’t have fun,” I warn, pointing a finger at both of them as we walk toward our cars.

“We’ll make sure you do!” Lydia grins back at me.

With every step toward my car, unease churns in my stomach like an angry storm brewing. What am I getting myself into?

The thumping bassvibrates through my chest as we approach Club Velvet Petal, a pulsing heart in Columbus’s nightlife. Lydia is practically bouncing beside me, her excitement palpable and infectious, while Olivia grins like she just won the lottery, her enthusiasm radiating like the neon lights illuminating the entrance.

The air hums with energy, and I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and wariness knowing that stepping inside could lead to anything from a wild night out to unexpected chaos.

Both are feeding my anxiety.

“Come on, Eve! Just look at those lights!” Lydia’s voice bubbles with excitement as she gestures dramatically toward the swirling neon colors flashing above the entrance. The vibrant hues dance against the night sky, a dazzling spectacle that pulls me in despite my nagging reservations.