Playing for Keeps

Vibes Don't Lie

Imani POV

I pulled up to the club, put my car in park, and exhaled. I wasn't usually the type to get nervous, but something about tonight had me feeling different. Maybe it was because I was about to walk into a room where he was. Maybe it was just the anticipation of a good night. Either way, I wasn't about to let it show.

I flipped down my mirror, checking my makeup. My soft glam look was still holding up foundation set perfectly, lashes giving just enough drama, and my lips glossy with a nude center. I grabbed my lip liner and did a quick touch-up before pulling out my phone to text Lilia.

Me: Here.

Lilia: We in the back section.

I locked my phone, tossed it in my purse, and stepped out of the car. The cool night air hit my skin, but the heavy bass from inside the club was already vibrating through the pavement. I adjusted my corset top, making sure everything sat just right, then made my way toward the entrance.

The line was long, but I walked past it like I knew where I was going. And I did. Inside, the music was loud, the lights were low, and the energy was high. People were everywhere dancing, laughing, drinking but I was focused.

As soon as I reached the back section, I saw him.

Sebastian.

He was sitting comfortably, laughing at something one of his teammates said, but the moment I walked in, his eyes locked onto me. It wasn't just a glance he was looking. I felt it. But I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

I shifted my attention to Lilia, Serena, and Bella.

"Imani!" Lilia screamed, waving me over. "Girl, we thought you wasn't gonna come!"

I smirked, stepping into the section. "Y'all really in here acting up already?"

Serena giggled, clearly a few drinks in. "It's a celebration! Let us have this moment!"

I shook my head but smiled. With all of us busy with work, nights like this were rare. I was happy to see them enjoying themselves.

Then, I took in the rest of the section.

There were three guys sitting with them. One of them, the one who pointed out Lilia at the game was tall with caramel skin and locs, laid back but observant. The second guy was dark-skinned with waves, his deep laugh carrying over the music as he talked to Serena. The last one was a white guy with blonde hair, clearly trying to get Bella's attention.

But what really caught my attention was the way Bella was looking at Sebastian before she noticed me.

Interesting.

Lilia leaned in. "Let me introduce you real quick. This is Rashad," she pointed to the one with locs, "that's Zion," she motioned to the one talking with Serena, "and Kaleb," she said, nodding toward the blonde one.

"Nice to meet y'all," I said smoothly, but before the conversation could go further, Sebastian stood up.

He walked over with that same confident energy he had at the hospital, standing in front of me like we already had unfinished business.

"You didn't tell me your name last time we met," he said.

I raised a brow, looking up at him. "And yet, you still remember me."

His lips curled into a smirk. "Hard to forget."

From behind me, Serena and Lilia exchanged a look, clearly loving this way too much.