I rush over to her, grabbing her arm just in time to prevent her from making a break for it. “Ava, wait! You can’t escape through that window! It’s a two-story drop!”
Her eyes are wide, a mix of horror and determination. “I’d rather take my chances with a twisted ankle than listen to that song again!”
I can’t help but chuckle, even as the smooth strains of Marvin Gaye fill the cramped space. “Come on! It can’t be that bad. Just... breathe. It’s a classic, right?”
Ava narrows her eyes, clearly unimpressed. “Classic or not, some things should never come on in a locked room. How did it even end up on the playlist?”
“Okay, let’s focus. What’s our plan? Do we just wait it out, or should we storm out like it’s a musical number?”
She bites her lip, glancing around as if looking for an escape route. “I still vote for the window. Or maybe we can fashion a makeshift catapult—”
Suddenly, Kevin bursts through the door with a triumphant grin, the remote in hand. “Did you guys enjoy my surprise?”
Ava groans dramatically. “You call this a surprise? More like a horror show!”
Kevin raises an eyebrow, eyes sparkling with mischief. “C’mon, it’s a great vibe! Who doesn’t love a little Marvin?”
“Us, clearly,” I say, giving him a pointed look. “How do we turn this off?”
“Just let the groove wash over you!” he says, swaying his hips. I can't tell if he's serious or just trying to provoke us.
“Alright, we’re making a pact,” Ava declares. “No more playlists made by Kevin! Ever!”
Kevin chuckles, the song reaching its chorus again. “You two can’t handle the heat! Just admit it, you love it!”
I glance at Ava, who’s biting her lip to stifle a laugh. "Honestly, if it wasn’t for the context, this might even be kind of funny."
Ava finally cracks and starts dancing, begrudgingly moving to the beat of the song. “Alright, but only because it might distract me from how trapped I feel. You better lock those doors, Kevin!”
“You know what? I’ll take that as a win!” Kevin replies, hitting play again.
As Ava dances and I finally allow myself to join in—if only to save my sanity—I can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of a strange but unforgettable evening.