the gallery had finally cleared out, and i could still feel the buzz of excitement from the night. my art had been received better than i ever could've hoped for, and even louis had shown up like he promised. the night felt like a dream. but just when i thought i could slip away and head home, phoebe, daisie, and addy appeared by my side with mischievous smiles plastered on their faces.

"you're not leaving, are you?" phoebe asked, narrowing her eyes at me like she could read my mind.

"um, i was thinking about it," i said, glancing toward the door. "it's been a long day, and i'm wiped."

"no chance," daisy said, grabbing my arm. "we're having an after-party. you can't ditch your own celebration."

addy grinned and nodded in agreement. "yeah, you've been working so hard, imogen. you deserve to have fun tonight."

before i could protest, louis walked up, hands in his pockets, his eyes flicking between me and the group. "what's this? trying to sneak out?"

"i wasn't sneaking," i said with a laugh, trying to brush it off. but i could already feel my cheeks flushing. "just thought i'd head home, get some rest."

"nah," louis said, shaking his head. "come on, it's your night. you deserve to let loose a bit."

there was something about the way he said it, like it wasn't really a question. i couldn't help but smile, even though part of me wanted to argue. instead, i gave in and shrugged. "okay, fine. but just for a little while."

"that's the spirit," phoebe said, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "let's get some drinks!"

we headed to a nearby bar, one of those cozy, dimly lit places with loud music and an even louder crowd. it wasn't long before the drinks were flowing, and everyone was loosening up. i was in the middle of sipping my cocktail when i realized louis was standing next to me, leaning against the bar.

"you did good tonight," he said, his voice low enough that only i could hear over the noise.

"thanks," i replied, feeling my heart race a little. "i still can't believe it went so well. i was so nervous."

he smirked, and there was that teasing glint in his eyes again. "didn't look like it. you were all smiles. almost too sweet, actually. i think i've got a toothache."

i laughed, shaking my head. "oh, shut up."

"seriously, though," he added, a bit more sincere now. "it was impressive. you've got real talent."

i didn't know what to say, so i just smiled, feeling the warmth in my chest grow. "thanks, louis. that means a lot."

before i knew it, another round of drinks appeared on the table, and the conversation around us grew louder. phoebe and daisy were already laughing about something ridiculous, and addy was right in the middle of it. the more we drank, the more the energy in the room shifted. everything felt lighter, easier.

at some point, i ended up on the dance floor, twirling around with phoebe, daisie, and addy. louis stayed near the bar, his eyes following us as we laughed and danced to the music. i caught his eye more than once, and every time, he flashed me that same sarcastic smile.

i couldn't stop grinning, the alcohol loosening me up more than i expected. i danced without a care, my head light and my heart full. but eventually, i wandered back toward the bar, and sure enough, louis was still standing there, watching with a half-smirk on his face.

"enjoying yourself?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"you bet i am," i said, sliding onto the stool next to him. "and you? you don't seem like the dancing type."

he scoffed. "nah. not really my scene. but i'm enjoying watching you all get plastered."

"oh, shut up," i said again, giving him a playful shove. but my hand lingered on his arm a moment too long, and i felt the electricity between us spark. neither of us moved.

"you're a terrible influence," i added, my voice a little quieter now.

"me?" he raised his eyebrows, clearly amused. "you're the one dragging me to after-parties and feeding me drinks."

i giggled, feeling a little too giddy to care about how ridiculous this conversation was. "you could've said no, you know."

he shrugged. "where's the fun in that?"

the night kept rolling, the drinks kept coming, and before i knew it, i was back on the dance floor with phoebe and daisy, laughing and spinning around like we didn't have a care in the world. louis stayed at the bar for a while longer, but at some point, he joined us—reluctantly, but he did.

and that's when it happened.

one moment we were dancing, and the next, i felt his hand on my waist as we swayed to the music. i looked up at him, surprised by the sudden closeness. he didn't move, though. neither did i. we just kept swaying, the music fading into the background as the room seemed to blur around us.

"you're really something else, you know that?" he murmured, his voice low, almost like he didn't mean for me to hear it.

i didn't know how to respond, so i just smiled, my heart pounding in my chest. we were close—closer than we'd ever been. and i didn't want to move.

then, before i could even process what was happening, he leaned down, and our lips met in the softest, most unexpected kiss. it wasn't planned, it wasn't forced. it just... happened. and it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

when we finally pulled away, i could hardly breathe. he smirked, that signature louis smirk, and said, "took you long enough."

i laughed, my head spinning—not just from the alcohol, but from everything. from him.

and just like that, the night blurred into something even more unforgettable.