Ah Ryan, you’re handsome sure, from the collarbones up. But all a woman needs to do is-“ Ryan snatched up a fistful of fries , tossing one into his mouth and assailing another at Liam’s unkempt hair. “You just drink the alcohol I shouted you, alright.” Liam’s smirk enlivened his features with electricity as the grease laden fry embedded itself in his gritty strands.

“Oh, I’ll enjoy every drop, but seriously, three o’clock …has her eyes all over you. You’re already naked at this point , I’d say.“ As Ryan’s head turned with wry curiosity, Liam emptied his glass, swilling the final mouthful as amusement danced across his unshaven face. Ryan cursed under his breath, winking into the sea of bodies and forgetting Liam’s existence as he rose from his stool. “Finish my Hennessy Li’…” he trailed off as he disappeared under the dim filter of light, abandoning the counter with distraction.

“Yeah, you won’t be back,“ Liam muttered, tracing the rim of his glass in a dwindling circle as Ryan’s voice faded under the din of chatter and a Red Hot Chilli Pepper song , not recognising the lyrics. As traces of cigarette smoke filtered through the air, perspiration and the fatigue of two am weighed on his posture as he countered , “And I’ll just be finishing this…” Then as his hand gravitated towards the abandoned Hennessy, the tepid feel of the glass caused him to reconsider. As he found himself staring at the basket of remaining bar fries, his stomach churned with revulsion.

“Somebody’s all on his lonesome over here, talking to himself?” As the female voice wove through his moment of bored introspection, her eyes caught him off guard. “I was not talking to myself,“ he replied with a weary grin. “It seems I was talking to you too-“

Her pale green irises held his blue gaze with a hint of unmatched humour as she slid onto Ryan’s vacant stool. “And he thinks he’s funny, huh?“ Liam’s broad grin, lopsided and drunken, propped up a dimple on his right cheek as he asked “Well he made you laugh I suppose that’s something goin in my favour?“

She was already reaching out and rearranging his grime-infused hair as her laughter interspersed the closing space between them. “Maybe he did, but can he talk me out of leaving here with my friends…he has twenty seconds by the way.“ Leaning into her touch as her fingers moved to the tender spot between his earlobe and hairline, he rasped into the smokescreen. “Oh twenty seconds is more than enough I’d say. Gimme ten . My friend abandoned his drink and now, wouldn’t it be irresponsible to leave it for me to finish? “ As her fingers travelled across his hairline she said casually . “You look like you haven’t slept in a week, and I know the feeling to be honest. “ Sliding down onto the stool beside him , she finished her interweaving of his limp strands, and he caught her wrist. “You sure scrub up well for not sleeping in a week- and hell maybe I haven’t either“ he admitted, his fingers tracing circles on the counter between them. She offered a smile laced with jest , the fatigue in her own eyes betraying her tease of his time running away . “Well , you had more than twenty seconds , but the question is , will I stay?. As her wrist slipped from his grasp and her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders as she turned away, Liam muttered , only half joking. “Oh, I failed huh? There may just be a dark corner over there , where you could tell me your name…” Her eyes, flickering with a challenge , confronted him , as she smoothed her palm over the collar of his Henley. “If I drag you over there , how long could you stay awake , soldier?” She gestured towards his fatigues , the dust imbued in the fibres, as he managed a grin. “We could always fall asleep together…” She broke in a smile, her laughter intoxicating as she twisted around to face him . “So you are in the force? You’re deployed?” His eyes held on hers as he shook his head, reaching for a dilapidated fry . “No, but I did spend a hell of a time in the middle of nowhere-but what I want to know is , why haven’t you slept huh?” Her softened gaze almost answered for her as she leaned in on one elbow. “I was - in fact you know what- let’s just start with the basics. I’m Emma.” As he absorbed her striking features, his own name , already off his tongue sank through the air. “Liam … and no , tonight I don’t have a surname.” Her smile revealed her gleaming white teeth as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear , hovering above the buttons above his throat with her free hand. “Well , tonight let’s call you soldier. I’d say a stint in the middle of nowhere has earned you that. “ He averted his gaze , caught off guard by her raw charm and nonchalance . “So, you’re still here huh? And I still don’t know a thing about you…” He leaned in closer , her scent, a mixture of metallic warmth and overtones he couldn’t place, drowning his wit