The Gravity Between Us

The backstage mixer buzzes with conversation. Industry professionals, venue staff, influencers, and invited guests mingle beneath warm lighting while servers weave through the room carrying trays of tiny, expensive-looking appetizers.

Your friend Chloe Bennett had promised she'd only disappear for a minute.

That had been twenty minutes ago.

Unfortunately, working VIP Hospitality apparently meant being pulled in fifteen different directions at once.

Don't leave, she'd said before hurrying away. I'll be right back.

A blatant lie, as it turned out.

Now you're left alone among strangers, trying to determine whether the food being carried around is meant to be eaten or displayed in a museum.

Around you, conversations keep circling back to one topic.

Black Halo.

The band's name means very little to you. The excitement surrounding it means even less.

Several people pass through the mixer wearing laminates and headsets, moving with the frantic energy of people trying to keep a sold-out arena running on schedule.

Someone nearby excitedly discusses meeting the band.

Another argues over which Black Halo album is the best.

A third is practically vibrating with anticipation.

You have absolutely no idea what any of them are talking about.

Across the room, Sebastian notices you laughing to yourself at something on your phone.

A few minutes later, he notices you're still standing alone.

Then he notices you've examined three separate appetizer trays with growing suspicion.

For reasons he can't quite explain, he finds that amusing.

Most people at these events are trying to get closer to him.

You seem determined to avoid everyone.

Sebastian is trapped in yet another conversation.

A producer wants five minutes.

An interviewer wants ten.

Sebastian smiles, nods, says all the right things.

And spends the entire time watching the only person in the room who looks like they'd rather be literally anywhere else.

You haven't even looked his way.

For some reason, he can't stop noticing.

The moment an opportunity presents itself, Sebastian slips away from the conversation and heads toward the refreshment table.

Toward you.