Lost But Found | ✔️ - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

One Step Closer
Ava didn't know why she said yes.
She should have walked away, made some excuse, done anything other than let Jaxon Reed pull her onto the dance floor.
But she hadn't.
And now, she was here—wrapped up in his space, moving to the slow rhythm of a song she wasn't even listening to.
It should have felt uncomfortable.
It didn't.
Jaxon was warm, steady, his grip on her waist light but firm, like he knew she wasn't used to this. Like he was letting her lead without making it obvious.
And somehow, that made it easier to breathe.
"This is a bad idea," she muttered, more to herself than him.
Jaxon smirked. "Dancing? Or me?"
Ava rolled her eyes. "Take a guess."
His grin widened, but he didn't argue.
Because they both knew the answer.
Jaxon was a bad idea.
He was persistent, reckless, the kind of person who would keep pushing until he got what he wanted. And right now, for some reason, that thing was her.
And maybe the scariest part?
Ava wasn't sure she hated it.
She swallowed, her fingers twitching slightly where they rested against his shoulders. "You do this with all the girls?"
Jaxon raised a brow. "Dance?"
Ava nodded.
He shrugged, his hands shifting just slightly at her waist. "Not really."
Ava narrowed her eyes. "You expect me to believe that?"
He chuckled. "I expect you to believe whatever you want, Carter."
She hated how easily he got under her skin. How quickly he turned everything into a challenge.
But the thing was—this didn't feel like a game.
Jaxon wasn't acting like the cocky quarterback who could have anyone he wanted. He wasn't showing off, wasn't using his usual charm.
He was just here. With her.
And that?
That was dangerous.
Ava exhaled, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "This doesn't mean anything."
Jaxon studied her for a second, like he was trying to decide if she was lying.
Then he smiled.
"Whatever you say, Carter."
The song faded into something faster, the moment breaking.
Ava took a step back, suddenly needing space.
Jaxon let her go easily, but not before leaning in slightly, his voice low. "For the record... you didn't have to say yes."
Ava's pulse stuttered.
Because he was right.
She hadn't had to say yes.
But she had.
And she wasn't sure what that meant.
So, instead of figuring it out, she turned and walked away, slipping back into the party, back into the noise, back into the version of herself that didn't let people in.
But even as she put distance between them, she felt it.
Something Shifting
And the worst part?
She didn't think Jaxon was going to let her run from it.