“So,” Theo says, his voice low and his tone teasing. “Did I hear my girl, Taylor Swift on your playlist?”

I grin. “I added a few tracks just for you. I know what a big fan you are.”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Yeah, I’m a huge fan. I might even have all her albums on vinyl.”

“Don’t lie,” I tease, tilting my head. “You strike me as more of a man in his 1989 era.”

He suddenly spins me, catching me off guard, and making me laugh as I stumble slightly before he pulls me back in. “If I were a fan,” he muses, his hand firm against my waist, “I’d obviously be more into her folklore era. Very moody and introspective. Like me.”

“Moody and introspective, huh?” Snorting, I tilt my head, pretending to consider it, tapping my chin. “I guess I can see that.”

He smirks, his grip tightening just slightly, drawing me a fraction closer. “You guess?”

The space between us suddenly feels very small. And the way he’s looking at me—like I’m the only thing in the room that matters—makes my pulse skip.

I swallow, my voice coming out softer than I intend. “I suppose I’ll have to pay closer attention.”

His thumb brushes lightly over my waist, and my breath catches.

Somewhere in the distance, Valkyrie clatters her stolen whisk against the floor. But neither of us moves.

And for once, I don’t want to break the moment.

We sway in silence for a moment, the soft rhythm of the music filling the space between us. His hand tightens slightly on my waist, pulling me a fraction closer.

“You know,” he murmurs, his voice dipping lower, “this might be my favorite part of the night.”

I glance up at him, my breath catching at the way his gaze lingers on me. “The dancing?”

He nods, his lips curving into a small smile. “The dancing. The wine. More importantly, you.”

Before I can reply, he dips his head slightly, his forehead brushing mine. My heart pounds as I feel his breath on my skin, warm and inviting.

“You’re not terrible at this, you know,” I whisper, my voice shaky but light.

“High praise,” he murmurs back, lips quirking. “Coming from the girl who added Taylor Swift to her playlist for me. That’s a big step.”

I laugh softly, and at that moment, his lips find mine. The kiss is gentle at first, tentative like we’re testing the waters. But the moment stretches and deepens. His hand slides to the small of my back, pulling me against him, and I melt, my fingers curling into his shirt as heat pools low in my stomach.