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“Well, Ravenhill Drive is just that—quiet,” Hugo said.

The pulsating beats echoed off the walls.

“It’s fairly loud in here and not exactly the best place to introduce ourselves,” Sylvia said. The oppressive sounds grew louder and louder. “We would love to get together and get to know each other in a more intimate setting.”

“Yeah, that would be great,” Alice said.

“Perfect. We tend to work late, and we’re not exactly morning people. How about tomorrow night?” Sylvia asked. “We’d love to have you over for dinner.”

Hugo and Alice nodded at each other.

“That’d be wonderful,” Alice replied.

“Prefect. Let’s say . . . seven tomorrow. I look forward to our conversations,” Sylvia said with a smile. “Now, go enjoy yourselves. Tell the bartender Sylvia said your tab was covered.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Alice protested.

“Please. Consider it us being neighborly,” Sebastian replied.

“Thank you,” Hugo said. “We look forward to tomorrow.”

“As do we,” Sylvia said with a smile.

Alice stood up and took Hugo’s hand. “Come on. You owe me that dance.”

Chapter 5

Dinner and Unusual Drinks

“Should we bring a bottle?” Alice asked as she peeked into the bathroom. The thought of bringing a gift raced through her mind all day. Rarely was she invited as a guest to someone’s new home, and she didn’t want to seem like she was imposing. “I can grab one from downstairs.”

Hugo finished buttoning up his dark blue shirt. “I don’t know. Maybe?” He turned to the mirror. “What do you two think?”

Alice and Hugo’s reflections were in the heat of an intense, passionate kiss. They ignored the question.

Alice whistled. “You two. Knock it off for a moment.”

They stopped; their eyebrows arched in annoyance at their non-reflective selves.

“I don’t care,” Alice’s reflection said.

“Does it matter? They probably have a bunch of wine there, anyway. It’d be like giving air as a present,” Hugo’s reflection said. “Kind of useless.”

“He’s right,” Alice’s reflection said. “Useless.”

“Do you know what’s not useless?” Hugo’s reflection whispered to Alice’s reflection, staring her in the eyes.

Alice’s reflection locked eyes with Hugo’s reflection. She whispered back, “What?”

“Every waking moment with you,” he responded in a low growl. “My heart burns for you. I can’t stand it. Every moment we spend apart is torturous.”

“Wait. When are you two ever apart? You’re together all the time. All you do is make out,” Hugo said.

They glared daggers at Hugo.

“Hey! You’re ruining the mood,” Hugo’s reflection said.

“Out. Now,” Alice’s reflection commanded as she pointed to the door.