Suddenly, I Am Rich

"You're not letting this night end, huh?" Gray raised an eyebrow at Mara's question, but the corner of his mouth twitched into a grin.

"Come on," Mara nudged him playfully with her elbow. "Just one drink. We've earned it."

Gray pretended to think about it for a second, then sighed dramatically.

"Fine. But if you pass out, I'm not carrying you home."

"No promises," she said brightly.

They ended up at a small bar just a short walk away. It was dimly lit with low-ceiling, neon signs, deep booths, and a playlist humming with mellow indie rock. It was the kind of bar frequented by people who just wanted to unwind, but not go all out.

As soon as they stepped inside, the contrast hit them.

Mara glanced down at her white blouse and blazer. Gray, who still in his suit jacket, looked like he had just walked out of a conference room.

The two exchanged a look, then burst out laughing.

"We look like we're about to pitch a startup idea here," Mara said, eyes scanning the room full of people in jeans and cropped shirts.

"We are definitely overdressed," Gray said, chuckling as he unbuttoned the top of his shirt so that he wouldn't appear too formal.

"I know right?" Mara quipped. "We look like we just came out of work, which is true either way."

The two talked as they walked. After a while, they found a table near the back. It was a table that was slightly tucked away from the more crowded part of the bar. Even if it's just early in the evening, a lot of people were drinking and chilling already.

Short after they were seated, a server came over and handed them menus. Without too much debate, Mara ordered a cocktail, something that was fruity but hard, and Gray went for a simple highball.

When the drinks came, they clinked glasses.

"Finally! For our first drink after years!" Mara muttered out loud as she raised her glass.

"To surviving you," Gray replied with a playful smirk.

Mara rolled her eyes but smiled. "Tsk. Tsk. Just admit it. I'm charming."

Gray took a sip of his drink before answering, his voice softer now, more relaxed.

"You're annoying. That's what you are. But yeah… I'll admit, you're not so bad."

"Gray complimented me." Mara gasped in mock shock. "That's something I've never heard before."

He just shook his head, smiling behind the rim of his glass.

For a while, they just sat there, letting the background noise fill the spaces between them. The mood was light and the alcohol warmed them just enough to forget about their stress.

They talked about random things—nothing too serious. Old TV shows, weird food combos, and their moments back then.

It wasn't just the drinks that made it easy. It was the fact that for the first time in a long while, they were able to talk. Just the two of them with the hum from the music as their background noise.

Gray leaned back in his seat and looked at Mara with a small smirk.

"You know," he said, "you're a lot more tolerable after two drinks."

"You're welcome." Mara raised her glass again.

They both laughed again, a little looser now.

Time passed for the two of them.

Gray didn't realize how long they'd been talking until he looked down and noticed his glass was empty again.

Mara's, too.

When had that happened?

"Wait, is this our… third round?" he asked, blinking.

"Fourth," Mara corrected, squinting one eye and holding her fingers up. "I think? Maybe five? Depends on whether you count that one that tasted like cough syrup."

Gray chuckled, glancing at the now half-finished drink she was swirling lazily.

"That was definitely your idea."

"Yeah, and it was a mistake," Mara laughed, slumping back in her seat with a dramatic groan. "Ugh. But we're still alive, so I win."

Outside their quiet corner, the bar had started to shift atmosphere.

The mellow chatter had grown louder, the music a little more upbeat now. It was not full-on club mode, but enough for a few brave souls to get up from their tables and move toward the small stage by the speakers.

A few girls were dancing in a loose circle, laughing without care. Someone had dragged a friend to the floor, and a guy in a hoodie was awkwardly bobbing his head like he was trying to blend in with the crowd.

The place wasn't that packed, but it was alive.

Mara blinked at the scene, then let out a sudden laugh.

"Oh my god. Are they dancing?"

Gray followed her gaze. "Looks like it."

"They're just… vibing to this song. What is this? Tame Impala?"

He listened for a moment, nodding. "Something like that."

A slow smile crept across Mara's face as she sat forward, both hands gripping the edge of the table. There was a dangerous glint in her eyes now. The kind that spelled trouble.

"Gray," she said, pointing at him.

"Oh no," he said immediately. "Whatever it is, no."

"Let's dance."

He stared at her.

She stared back.

There was a pause. Then—

"No," he said again, more firmly this time.

Mara leaned in, eyes wide.

"C'mon. Let's gooo. The song's not even fast. It's like… a gentle sway. You can sway, can't you?"

"I don't dance," Gray said dryly.

Mara didn't look convinced.

"You used to dance," she pointed out, poking his arm. "Back in uni. Don't think I forgot that one party at,… what's his name's—Jake's house? You were absolutely moving."

"That wasn't dancing," Gray muttered. "You're just imagining things."

Mara laughed hard at that, loud enough to draw a few glances from nearby tables. She didn't care. She was glowing now with just a little pink in the cheeks. She was definitely tipsy but still very much herself.

And then, before he could argue further, she stood.

"Mara."

"Let's go." She held out a hand with the confidence of someone who absolutely did not care if he said no.

He gave her a look. "I told you. I don't dance."

"And I told you—" she leaned in close, her grin wide. "We will dance."

He exhaled, slow and resigned. He stared at her hand, then up at her expectant face.

She wiggled her fingers. "Gray Adams. Don't be a coward."

That got him.

With a groan, he finally stood and took her hand.

"I'm not a coward. Stupid."