Introduce David as your boyfriend and politely but firmly tell Jamie you're not interested.

You straighten your shoulders and squeeze David's hand once before addressing Jamie directly, your voice clear despite the bar's ambient noise.

"Jamie, this is David," you say, gesturing to the man beside you. "My boyfriend." The words flow with surprising ease, as if they've always been true. "I'm sorry if Clara gave you the wrong impression, but I'm not available."

Jamie's confident smile falters, confusion washing over his handsome features. He runs a hand through his carefully styled hair, glancing between you and David.

"Wait, what?" He laughs, but there's no humor in it. "Boyfriend? Last weekend you were complaining about Matt being commitment-phobic, and then we..." He trails off, eyes darting to David, clearly hesitant to continue that particular line of thought.

David's arm slides around your waist possessively, his fingers pressing gently into your hip. The warmth of his touch sends a flutter through your stomach that's both foreign and thrilling.

"Things change," David says simply, his voice carrying an unmistakable edge of authority.

"Clearly," Jamie replies, his expression hardening. He turns to you, hurt visible beneath his irritation. "You could have just told me yourself instead of having Clara set this whole thing up."

"I didn't—" you begin, but he cuts you off with a dismissive wave.

"Save it. Message received." He steps back, pride visibly wounded. "Enjoy your evening."

As Jamie retreats toward the bar, Clara appears beside your table, her eyes wide as she takes in the tense tableau.

"Did I miss something?" she asks innocently, though the slight curve of her lips betrays her.

"Don't play dumb," you reply, your Irish lilt sharpening with irritation. "You invited Jamie without telling me."

Clara shrugs, settling into a chair. "I thought it might be fun. You two seemed to hit it off last weekend."

"Last weekend never happened," you say firmly, though you know she can't possibly understand the literal truth behind your words.

"Whatever you say." Clara takes a sip of her drink, eyes twinkling. "But you have to admit, the look on his face when you introduced David as your boyfriend was priceless."

David's thumb traces lazy circles on your hip, a subtle reminder of his presence. "Speaking of boyfriends," he says, nodding toward the bar where Ryan now waits with two fresh drinks. "Yours is returning."

Clara's cheeks flush prettily. "He's not my—we just met."

"Things move quickly sometimes," you reply with pointed sweetness, enjoying the turnabout.

As Clara excuses herself to rejoin Ryan, David leans closer, his breath warm against your ear. "Boyfriend, huh?"

Heat blooms across your cheeks. "I—it just came out. I needed something definitive to make him back off."

"I don't mind," David murmurs, his lips brushing against your temple in a way that makes your skin tingle. "I kind of like it, actually."

You turn to face him fully, struck by the intensity in his dark eyes. There's hunger there, but something else too—a possessiveness that should frighten you but somehow doesn't.

"This is all so strange," you whisper. "Two days ago we were just flatmates."

"And now?" he prompts, his hand sliding up to cup your cheek.

The question hangs between you, weighted with possibilities neither of you fully understand.

20:15 | Sunday 3 August 2025 | Ember Lounge, London

[Comfort Mode Level 2] | 02:00 hours remaining