The city lights shimmered like scattered stars, painting the night sky in hues of gold and silver. Tall buildings stood like silent witnesses to countless stories unfolding below. Among them, the grand ballroom of the Hilton Hotel glowed brightly, filled with elegantly dressed guests and soft orchestral music. It was a charity gala an event where the city's elite gathered under the pretense of goodwill and philanthropy, dressed in tailored suits and designer gowns.
Crystal Gomez stood by the tall glass window, her glass of champagne untouched in her hand. She wore a floor length midnight blue gown that hugged her curves in all the right places, her dark curls pinned up with soft tendrils framing her face. Her eyes wandered over the dance floor where laughter and subtle flirtations filled the air, but her thoughts were miles away.
This wasn't her kind of event. She was only there because her boss insisted the firm needed exposure, and Crystal was one of their rising PR stars. Still, as people mingled and traded empty compliments, she couldn't help but feel like an outsider in her own skin.
"Not enjoying the party?" a smooth voice asked from beside her.
Crystal turned, surprised she hadn't noticed anyone approach. Standing next to her was a man in a charcoal black suit, his tie loosened slightly, and his collar open just enough to suggest he was done pretending to enjoy the stuffy atmosphere. His hair was tousled like he'd run a hand through it one too many times, and his piercing green eyes seemed to study her with casual curiosity.
She blinked, caught off guard by how striking he was.
"I'm more of a 'Netflix and pizza' kind of girl," she replied, offering a small smile. "These events always feel… performative."
He chuckled. "Same here. I was dragged here by my assistant. Told me I needed to 'look social.'"
Crystal raised an eyebrow. "And you listened?"
"She threatened to post old high school photos if I didn't," he said with a mock sigh. "I had no choice."
That made her laugh a genuine, melodic sound that surprised even herself. It felt good to laugh after the exhausting week she'd had.
"I'm Justin, by the way. Justin Miller."
Crystal paused for a beat. The name sounded familiar.
"The Justin Miller? CEO of MillerTech?"
He winced playfully. "Guilty. Though I prefer not to introduce myself that way. It makes people think I'm here to hand out business cards."
Crystal smiled, impressed but trying not to show it. She'd read about MillerTech's rise in the tech world. It had started with a small app and now had fingers in everything from e-commerce to AI. But in person, Justin didn't seem like the hard nosed businessman she expected.
"Crystal Gomez. PR executive. No empire yet, but I do own a coffee machine that works most mornings."
Justin grinned. "Then you're already ahead of me. Mine spits steam and hope."
They both laughed again, and for a moment, the crowded room faded around them. It was as if they were in their own little bubble, untouched by the glitter and performance.
As the orchestra shifted to a slower tune, couples began to drift onto the dance floor. Justin looked over, then back at Crystal.
"Do you dance?" he asked.
Crystal hesitated. "Not well. I usually stick to the 'sway and pray' method."
He offered his hand. "May I have this sway?"
She stared at him for a moment, amusement flickering in her eyes. Something about the way he asked gentle, unassuming, warm made it impossible to say no.
"I suppose one dance won't hurt."
He led her onto the dance floor, guiding her with surprising grace. As his hand rested lightly on her waist and their fingers intertwined, Crystal felt a strange calm settle over her. Their movements synced naturally, as though they had done this a hundred times before.
"You're good at this," she murmured, eyes fixed on his.
"Only when I have a good partner," he replied.
The music wrapped around them, soft and romantic, the kind that told a story without needing words. Crystal found herself looking up at him more often than she intended, drawn in by the sincerity in his gaze. For once, she wasn't thinking about deadlines or press releases. She was simply… present.
As the song ended, Justin didn't step away immediately. Neither did she.
"I'd ask if I could see you again," he said, "but I'm guessing you don't make a habit of giving your number to strangers at galas."
Crystal tilted her head, teasing. "Depends on how charming the stranger is."
"Then I'll take my chances," he said, pulling out his phone.
They exchanged numbers, and Crystal realized her heart was racing not from nerves, but excitement. A rare, unfamiliar thrill.
"I should get back to my table," she said reluctantly.
He nodded. "I'll text you. Maybe we can skip the suits and gowns next time and try the pizza and Netflix thing instead?"
She laughed. "Sounds like a plan."
As she walked away, she could feel his eyes still on her. And for the first time in months, she didn't mind the attention.
From across the ballroom, Justin watched her go, a small smile playing on his lips. He'd come to the gala expecting boredom and forced networking. Instead, he'd met Crystal a woman with a spark in her eyes and laughter that still echoed in his ears.
He had no idea where this was going, but one thing was certain:
She wasn't someone he would forget.
Not tonight.
Maybe not ever.
The following Monday morning was a blur of meetings, deadlines, and overflowing inboxes. Crystal sat at her desk in the sleek, open concept office of Dawson & Hart PR, sipping her second cup of coffee and wondering how one weekend could feel like a dream that slipped away too quickly.
She hadn't heard from Justin Miller since the gala.
Not that she expected to. People said a lot of things at glamorous events, often under the influence of music and champagne. Still, a small part of her had hoped maybe even believed he meant what he said about texting her. But the weekend passed with silence.
"Earth to Crystal," her coworker and friend Tasha said, waving a hand in front of her face. "You've been staring at that email for like five minutes. Did it insult your family?"
Crystal blinked, startled. "Sorry. Zoned out."
"Uh-huh," Tasha said knowingly. "Zoned out thinking about a certain tall, green-eyed tech mogul, maybe?"
Crystal shot her a look. "You told me to talk to him, remember?"
"And I'm still proud of you. But you've got that dreamy face on. The one you wear after watching a cheesy romcom."
Crystal laughed softly. "It was just a conversation and one dance. He probably doesn't even remember me."
Before Tasha could tease her more, their manager poked his head out of his office. "Crystal, can I see you for a second?"
She stood up immediately, smoothing her blouse and stepping inside.
"I need you to attend the MillerTech press conference this Thursday," her boss said, barely looking up from his notes. "They're unveiling a new product and want PR support from each of their partner firms."
Crystal froze for a second. "MillerTech?"
"Yes. Don't worry, it's a short event just an hour. You'll be representing us along with two others. You'll find the invitation in your inbox."
She nodded and stepped back into her office, her pulse racing.
Thursday arrived faster than she anticipated, and Crystal found herself outside a towering glass building, the MillerTech headquarters, dressed in a cream blazer and tailored pants. Her nerves were a tangled mess, but she kept her expression calm.
Inside the press room, journalists and executives milled about. Crystal greeted a few familiar faces, her eyes scanning the crowd despite herself. She didn't see Justin.
Maybe he wouldn't even be here. Maybe she had worked herself up for nothing.
But just as the event was about to begin, he walked in.
Justin looked effortlessly confident, wearing a navy blue suit with no tie, sleeves casually rolled at the cuffs. His presence commanded the room without him trying. Crystal felt her breath catch when their eyes met across the space.
A flicker of recognition. Then a smile.
After the presentation something about a new AI integration for smart homes he made his way through the crowd, stopping right in front of her.
"I thought I recognized you," he said, grinning. "Crystal Gomez, as I live and breathe."
She chuckled. "Still charming, I see."
"I meant to text you," he said, somewhat sheepish. "I had a crisis the morning after the gala servers crashed. I've barely slept since."
"Let me guess," she teased. "Hope and steam?"
He laughed, genuinely. "Exactly."
They stood there for a moment, the noise of the room dimming around them again.
"Coffee?" he asked. "Now, I mean. I could use a break, and I promise not to talk about algorithms."
Crystal hesitated for only a second before nodding. "I know a place around the corner."
The café was small and warm, tucked between a bookstore and a florist. They took a table in the back corner, away from the bustle.
Justin ordered black coffee. Crystal asked for a caramel latte.
"So," she said as they sat, "is this how you charm all your gala acquaintances?"
He smiled. "You're assuming I meet people at galas. I usually sneak out halfway."
Crystal raised a brow. "Why did you stay that night?"
Justin looked at her, the smile fading into something softer. "You."
There was a pause, brief but filled with electricity.
"You're different," he continued. "You weren't trying to impress anyone. You were real. That's rare."
Crystal's cheeks warmed. "Maybe I was just tired."
"Maybe," he said, leaning back. "But I liked that."
They talked for nearly an hour, the conversation flowing effortlessly. He asked about her work, and she shared a bit about growing up in a house where ambition was a survival skill. He told her about starting MillerTech in his friend's garage after dropping out of college, and how success came faster than he was ready for.
It was strange how quickly walls fell between them.
"I should probably get back," Crystal said reluctantly as she glanced at her phone. "I have a meeting at two."
Justin nodded but didn't move right away. "Listen… I know this sounds forward, but would you want to get dinner sometime? Like, a proper one?"
She smiled. "Dinner sounds nice."
"I'll text you," he said, standing as she did.
This time, he actually did.
As they parted ways outside the café, Justin touched her arm gently. "I'm really glad I ran into you again."
"So am I," she admitted.
Crystal walked away with a smile she couldn't quite suppress, the afternoon sun warming her face. There was something about Justin Miller that made her feel weightless.
And deep down, a part of her knew this wasn't just a random meeting.
It was the beginning of something more.