Here's a more natural, human-style version of that scene:
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The party was still going strong inside, but Ace felt like the night had already branded itself into her memory.
Max. That damn tattoo. The way she looked at her, like she saw something more than just ink and scars. Something Ace wasn't sure she was ready to face.
She needed air.
Without another word, she pushed past Jayson, Kyle, and Tim, who were still grinning like they knew something she didn't, and stepped out into the backyard. It was quieter here, the noise from the party almost drowned out by the night air. The only light came from the string lights above, their glow soft and warm.
Ace leaned against the porch railing, trying to shake off the buzz that was still in her system. Her mind kept replaying every second with Max—the way she looked at her, the way her fingers brushed against Ace's skin. She felt like she couldn't breathe.
She was screwed.
The door creaked open behind her.
"Running away already?"
Ace didn't even need to look to know it was Max's voice.
She tensed but didn't turn around. "Nah. Just needed a break from those idiots."
Max's laugh floated through the air, soft and familiar. "They're your idiots, though."
Ace dragged a hand through her hair, trying to calm herself. "Unfortunately."
There was a brief silence, and then the sound of footsteps. Max came up beside her, close enough that Ace could feel her presence. The smell of vanilla and smoke clung to her, and for a moment, it felt like the air was too thick to breathe.
"You really never tattooed anyone you liked before?" Max's voice was low, almost like a dare.
Ace's heart skipped a beat.
What the hell was she supposed to say to that?
"Nah," Ace muttered, keeping her eyes on the lights in the distance, hoping she could keep her cool. "Not exactly a smart business move."
Max hummed, tilting her head like she was trying to read her. "Guess I should feel special, huh?"
Ace finally looked at her. Max's smirk was almost too much for her to handle. "Do you?"
Max's grin widened. "A little."
Ace's heart pounded in her chest. This girl was going to end her.
Trying to keep it together, Ace swallowed hard. "You flirting with me, Max?"
Max didn't answer right away. Instead, she turned her wrist, running her fingers lightly over the fresh tattoo Ace had just inked. "What if I was?"
Ace's pulse raced.
She shouldn't be feeling this way. Her head was screaming, Don't do this. Don't get your hopes up. Don't.
But Max took a step closer, and suddenly, Ace wasn't thinking. She was just feeling.
The air between them was thick, buzzing like the needle on her tattoo gun.
Max reached out, her fingers brushing against Ace's wrist—the same way Ace had touched her earlier. "You're good with your hands," she murmured, voice barely above a whisper.
Ace's breath hitched.
Max was playing with fire. And Ace?
Ace was ready to burn.
But before anything could happen—
BAM.
The back door swung open so hard it hit the wall with a loud crack.
"ACE. YOU NEED TO SEE THIS."
Mika's voice was frantic, the panic in her tone snapping Ace out of whatever daze she'd been in.
"What's wrong?" Ace snapped, her instincts kicking in.
Mika grabbed her arm, pulling her towards the door. "Leon's about to fight someone. And it's bad."
Max stepped back, watching as Ace immediately switched into action.
The moment between them was gone. But the fire?
That fire was still burning.