Ade felt about Enigma the way one felt about a lukewarm bath, great in times of need, but there's always a better option. Unfortunately, Ryan managed to convince everyone that better did not exist, at least not tonight. So, Ade followed along, donning the obligatory black jeans and white t-shirt combo, a denim jacket and enough rum he didn't feel the cold as they headed to the club.

"Where's Abisola?" he asked Daniel once they joined the queue.

"Should be here soon," Daniel said, pulling his phone out of his back pocket.

"Lame," Ryan hollered. "I thought we said no girlfriends."

"You just don't have a girlfriend."

Ade let out an unreserved snort which earned him a glare from Ryan. "I don't know what you're laughing at," he said, voice thick with accusation. "It's not like you're doing any better."

"That's about to change," Ade said.

"She's not interested." Ryan's mouth curled into a sympathetic smile Ade rolled his eyes at. "What?" He raised both hands. "I've seen her and Wes. Even if they aren't together, there's no room for you."

"Whatever man. I didn't come here to—"

Someone tapped Ade on the shoulder. He whirled around, eyes half popping out of their sockets when Miriam unfurled in all her glory, with legs that stretched for days and a mouth painted a red so vibrant it pulsed, full-bodied, alive. She seemed to shimmer, her body encased in a bronzed glow that sparked every now and then, as much a warning as an invitation.

"Hey." Her arms opened, welcoming him in once and for all. They snaked around his shoulders while his hands settled on her waist and sunk into the plump swell of her skin. He bent down, nose brushing against her hair, and took in the tropical undertones that clung to her braids. "How's your sister finding the book?" she asked once she stepped back.

Ade blinked, brain a scramble of half-finished sentences, and grappled at the first which made some semblance of sense. "She's finding it good," he said, cursing himself instantly. "What I mean is, she's enjoying it."

Miriam let out a tinkle of laughter that seeped into his skin, pressing through the epidermis, hunting for a vein until it laid itself to rest in his bloodstream, increasing the flow exponentially. "I'm glad," she said, her mouth, once red hot, cooling into something warm.

"If—"

"You forgot your keys," Wes interrupted, dangling a silver set in front of Miriam's face.

She batted them aside and laughed, the sound richer than before. "I didn't forget them," she said. "I have nowhere to put them. It's not like a bag goes with this outfit."

"Oh." Wes shoved the keys in his back pocket. "Hey Ade," he said, shooting him the briefest of smiles. "You good?"

"Yeah." Ade forced himself to smile back. "You?"

"Course."

"So where's Abi?" Miriam asked, glancing over her shoulder.

"Hell if I know. Daniel said she's on her way."

"That means she's still half-dressed at home," Miriam snorted.

"Surely not." Daniel extracted himself from the others and seamlessly leapt into their conversation. "She promised she'd be on time."

"And you believed her?" Miriam's brow arched pointedly. On anyone else it would've seemed like a bitch move, mocking almost, but something about her huge brown eyes turned her expression into one overfilled with innocent wonder.

"I'll call her," Daniel said as they all stepped forward. He fished out his phone and leaned against the wall, leaving the rest of them in uncomfortable silence.

Thankfully, Ryan slashed through it like a sledgehammer and threw an arm around Wes' shoulders. "Didn't think I'd see you here," he said.

Wes itched the back of his neck and released a line of laughter which hovered uncertainly. "Mer wanted to come so I thought I'd join," he explained.

Ade's head snapped.

"It's a good thing you did," Ryan said. "I saw Tanya up ahead."

"Say swear?"

"Yeah man." With that, Ryan led Wes away, leaving Miriam and Ade behind.

"This was your idea?" Ade asked.

"Surprised?" A glimmer of something bright and fun rippled across Miriam's face and reanimated it.

"You don't seem like the clubbing type," Ade admitted.

Miriam shrugged. "Yes, well, you don't exactly know me."

"Fairs, but I was thinking we change that."

Brow raised, Miriam said, "How do you propose you do that?"

"Over drinks, tomorrow night."

"That quick?"

"I'd say now, but we're already here."

"Fair," she laughed.

"So, what do you say? Tomorrow? You free?"

Miriam sucked in a stretch of air between her teeth and pushed it right back out, wincing like she tasted something sour. "I'm sure it would be great," she said.

"But?"

"I have plans."

"Plans?"

"Unbreakable plans."

"Oh." Ade stroked the back of his neck. Maybe Ryan was right, maybe there was no room for him.

"But." His eyes zipped back towards hers. "I am free Wednesday night," she said.

"Wednesday?"

"Yeah, pick me up at eight?"

"It's a date."

They reached the front of the queue just as Abi arrived. Ade half-expected the bouncer to send her to the back, but he barley batted an eye as she slipped an arm through Miriam's and flashed her ID. They disappeared inside, leaving Ade and Daniel to be patted down roughly.

"Get your girl," Ade hissed.

"You know I can't get Abi to do—"

"Get your girl."

Once they were released from the bouncers insisting grip, they hurried into the club, taking the stairs two at a time. Abi and Miriam were waiting at the bottom, arm in arm, whispering in each other's ears. Abi must've said something funny because Miriam's eyes squeezed tight and her chest heaved, mouth gaping as silent laughter spilled out. Ade was certain if he strained a little harder, he could hear it. He could certainly feel it, the warmth, the joy, the beauty. It clung close, wrapping around his skin and melting, thick and fast, swelling until she stopped and only embers of her light remained.

"Where's Wes?" Abi asked, expectation colouring her features.

"He was ahead," Miriam said. "Saw some girl he used to fuck."

Ade flinched. Fuck, she doesn't say fuck.

"Anyway." She shrugged. "We've all slept with someone."

Ade's gut settled, if only for a second, before it re-clenched. Who did she sleep with?

"One person is not someone," Abi cackled, settling Ade's stomach once and for all.

"That's the literal definition of someone," Miriam.

"But the first one never—"

"What are you still doing here?" Wes appeared with a shiny face and a girl rocking a Beyoncé blonde wig. They were hand in hand, bodies plastered to one another.

"Talking about how sleeping with one per—"

"Nothing." Miriam's voice had edge.

"Really?" Wes raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, now, if you'll excuse me." She swept away, half floating above the grimy floor, only to stop and say, "Ade?"

He jerked to attention.

"Want to get a drink?" she asked.

The petty side of Ade wanted to turn and laugh at Wes who, in an unsurprising turn of events, was seething. Smoke rising, spit flying, seething. But to laugh was to give up on this golden opportunity, so Ade ignored his baser instincts and followed Miriam into the club.

A part of him wanted to ask what that was all about, but he knew better and instead bent down, mouth hovering above her ear, and asked what she wanted. She whipped around, placed a hand on his shoulder, and yanked him closer. "I'm buying the drinks," she said, breath hot against his neck.

"But—"

"I'm buying them."

He stepped back and raised both hands, settling against the bar to watch her flag down a bartender. In a club like Enigma, it should've been impossible. The floor was crowded, the orders lost, but somehow, she managed to command the attention of a short blonde man who beamed the moment she set eyes on him. It would've been more concerning if Ade wasn't so impressed with the ease at which she turned on the charm, but there he was, lost in the sauce. She leaned across the bar, placed their orders, and paid, all while giggling suggestively. Two minutes later, plastic cups overfilled with a clear liquid was placed in front of them. The bartender stood there, seemingly waiting for more, but Miriam turned away and barrelled into Ade. It was cutthroat, sure, but Ade liked it.

"What is this?" he asked.

"Tequila and sprite," she shouted over the music.

"Tequila and what?" Sure, he'd heard her, but this wasn't the sort of environment where he could make solid moves. He needed space, air so thin you could pierce it with a whisper. Space to swell and swoop, eclipse Wes entirely. Space to be his best self.

"Sprite," she shouted again.

He cupped a hand to his ear, features pinched, and let her repeat herself until he stepped closer, leaned in, and said, "Smoking area?"

She nodded and took his hand. There was something almost magnetic about her, with a presence so powerful she managed to part the crowd, crafting a clear path for them to glide towards the patio at the back of the club. Once outside he took charge, guiding her towards a quieter corner lit by a string of fairy lights that emitted a muted amber glow. She leaned against the wall; he stood in front of her, towering like a watchful protector, close, intimate.

"What is in this drink?" he asked.

Laughter spiralled into the midnight sky. "You heard me," she said.

"I did?"

"Oh yeah, you just wanted to get me all alone."

"Think quite highly of yourself."

"A woman always should."

In that moment, all Ade wanted to do was kiss her. Scoop her into his arms, lift her off the ground, caress her cheeks, full and warm. Taste the tequila, maybe something more. And although she was smiling, doe-eyed and ready, he faltered. If he kissed her, took the step, would she run away like a sprite through the undergrowth, disappear in a cloud of promise and regret? Would she come back? Would she—

"I need to go to the bathroom," she declared with a sidestep. "Hold this."

Ade took her drink and turned to watch her disappear. Maybe he should've kissed her.

"Hey man." Someone slapped Ade's shoulder.

He glanced to his left. "Kojo, how are you man?"

"Good, good. Was that Miriam I just saw you with?"

Ade startled. Miriam felt like a phantom, unknowable, undetectable until right in front of you. But then again, Kojo was ACS president. If anyone knew everyone, it would be him.

"Yeah man," Ade said once he regained composure.

"Mad, she's a tricky girl."

"Swear?"

"Yeah, we were kinda doing a ting in September, but um...yeah, let's just say she fucked me over real bad."

"She doesn't seem like the type."

"They never do," Kojo laughed. "Just be careful."

"Yeah man, thanks for the heads up."

Kojo left, making a beeline for a girl in a short black dress. He slung an arm over her shoulder, whispered something in her ear, and headed inside. That could've been Ade, the promise of an easy fuck pressing heavier on his mind, then Miriam appeared, and it was worth it. The unknown, the uncertainty, the lack of a happy ending.

Short and quick was his M.O, but with Miriam he had a chance at longevity. Something, he'd never wanted, but for her he was willing to make an exception.

~~~

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