Veronica Lodge stood in the middle of Le Bonne Nuit, the soft hum of jazz music filling the air, the low light casting a golden glow over the room. Her dark hair fell in perfect waves down her back, and she wore a form-fitting black dress that made heads turn as she moved through the crowd with her signature confidence. Tonight, the speakeasy was bustling, but her mind was miles away.

Veronica had spent the past few months focused on building her empire. Expanding her business, keeping the Lodge name relevant, and making sure she remained one step ahead of her competitors. But there was one thing—or rather, one person—who had been occupying her thoughts lately. And it wasn't just a casual distraction. It was Reggie Mantle.

He was seated at the bar now, laughing with some of his friends, his broad shoulders visible even in the dim lighting. His energy was magnetic, as it always was, and Veronica found herself watching him without meaning to. He had been in and out of her life for as long as she could remember, always there in the background, always bringing the heat to every interaction between them.

Their chemistry had always been undeniable, even when they tried to pretend otherwise. They'd flirted, pushed boundaries, but it had always been a game—a dance neither one of them was willing to fully commit to. Until now.

Veronica walked over to the bar, her heels clicking against the floor, her movements graceful and deliberate. Reggie's eyes caught hers the moment she approached, and that familiar smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Veronica," Reggie said smoothly, turning in his seat to face her. "Finally decided to join the rest of us tonight?"

Veronica smiled, her dark eyes gleaming with mischief. "I couldn't stay away from the fun forever, could I?"

Reggie chuckled, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer than necessary. There was always an unspoken tension between them, a constant pull, like gravity drawing them together. Veronica had never been one to shy away from flirting or games, but with Reggie, it felt different. It felt charged.

"You've been keeping your distance lately," Reggie remarked, raising an eyebrow. "Busy running the world, I assume?"

Veronica shrugged lightly, leaning against the bar, her fingers trailing across the polished wood. "You know me, Reggie. Always a hundred things to juggle. But I've always got time for a little fun."

Reggie's smirk deepened, his eyes flashing with something playful, something dangerous. "Is that an invitation?"

Veronica leaned in slightly, her voice low and teasing. "Maybe. If you can keep up."


The night carried on, the music getting louder, the drinks flowing freely, and the energy in the speakeasy shifting. Veronica and Reggie danced around each other like they always did, throwing teasing glances and trading sly remarks. But as the night wore on, it became harder for either of them to ignore the fire that had always been there, simmering beneath the surface.

At one point, they found themselves alone in the back of the club, the crowd thinning out, leaving them in the shadows. Reggie leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, watching Veronica with that same smirk that made her pulse quicken.

"You know," Reggie started, his voice casual but laced with something deeper, "you talk a big game, Veronica. Always have. But what happens when someone calls your bluff?"

Veronica raised an eyebrow, stepping closer to him, her heels clicking against the floor. "Is that what you think this is? A bluff?"

Reggie's gaze was intense, his eyes never leaving hers as he pushed off the wall, standing tall in front of her. "I think you like to play. But I also think you're afraid of what happens when the game gets real."

Veronica's heart pounded in her chest, but she kept her expression cool, even as her breath quickened. Reggie had always been good at reading her, good at knowing exactly what to say to push her buttons. But she wasn't one to back down.

"I'm not afraid of anything, Reggie," Veronica said softly, her voice steady. "Least of all you."

Reggie's smirk softened into something more serious, his eyes searching hers. "Then prove it."

Veronica tilted her head, her lips curving into a small smile. "And how exactly do you expect me to do that?"

Before Reggie could respond, she stepped even closer, closing the gap between them, her breath mingling with his. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the tension between them thick and undeniable. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence heavy with anticipation.

"Veronica…" Reggie's voice was low, almost a whisper, and for the first time in a long time, Veronica felt like she wasn't in control.

And she didn't hate it.


Their lips met in a rush, the kiss igniting everything they had been holding back for so long. Veronica's hands gripped the front of Reggie's shirt, pulling him closer as their bodies collided. The kiss was intense, full of all the frustration, desire, and longing that had been building between them for years. Reggie's hands slid around her waist, holding her tightly as if he were afraid she'd slip away.

But Veronica wasn't going anywhere.

They broke apart only for a moment, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. Reggie's forehead rested against hers, his voice breathless. "You're gonna drive me crazy, Veronica."

She smiled, her lips brushing against his as she spoke. "That's the plan."

But even as the words left her mouth, Veronica felt something deeper stirring inside her. She had always been in control, always the one who dictated the terms of her relationships. She used her charm and wit to keep people at arm's length, to protect herself from getting hurt. But with Reggie, it was different. He saw through the walls she had built around herself, and somehow, that scared her more than anything else.


The following days were a whirlwind of stolen moments and late-night rendezvous. Veronica and Reggie found themselves drawn to each other more and more, their connection growing stronger with each passing day. But it wasn't just the physical attraction—though that was undeniable. It was the way Reggie made her feel. He challenged her, pushed her to be vulnerable in a way she hadn't been before. And she wasn't sure how to handle it.

One night, after another long day at Le Bonne Nuit, Veronica found herself lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing. She had always been so sure of herself, so sure of what she wanted. But now, with Reggie, everything felt uncertain. She wasn't used to feeling out of control, and it terrified her.

As if on cue, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She reached over, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Reggie's name on the screen.

Reggie: You still up?

Veronica hesitated for a moment before typing back.

Veronica: Can't sleep. You?

Reggie: Same. Wanna talk?

She stared at the message, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. For some reason, the idea of talking to Reggie in the middle of the night felt more intimate than anything they had done before. But before she could overthink it, she typed back.

Veronica: Sure.

A few minutes later, her phone rang, and she answered it without hesitation.

"Couldn't sleep either?" Reggie's voice was warm and familiar, and hearing it sent a shiver down her spine.

"Too much on my mind," she admitted, her voice softer than usual.

"Want to talk about it?" Reggie asked, his tone genuine.

Veronica hesitated for a moment, unsure if she was ready to open up. But then she remembered how Reggie had always been able to see through her, and she realized there was no point in pretending.

"I'm not used to this," she said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"This… whatever it is between us. I'm not used to feeling… out of control."

Reggie was silent for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was calm and reassuring. "You don't have to be in control all the time, Veronica. It's okay to let someone in."

Veronica closed her eyes, letting his words sink in. She had spent so long building walls around herself, so long trying to protect herself from getting hurt. But with Reggie, those walls were crumbling, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for that.

"I don't want to get hurt," she whispered.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Reggie said softly. "I promise."

Veronica let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Maybe it was time to stop playing games, to stop running from her feelings. Maybe it was time to let Reggie in.

"Okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll try."

Reggie's smile was almost audible in his voice when he responded. "That's all I'm asking for."

And for the first time in a long time, Veronica felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.