Chapter 47

The next evening as I walked into the bar, Jess was standing behind the counter, his fingers tucked into a glass, drying the interior with a cloth. At the sound of my boot heels clattering on the hardwood floor, he looked up. “Hey, Kiddo,” he called.


“Hey, Jess,” I returned.


He studied me closely, his gaze lingering on my face. “You okay?”


I nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of my lips. “Better than I have been in a long time, actually.”


He cocked his head to the side, a knowing glint in his eye. “Someone got some action last night, I see.”


I rolled my eyes, feeling the warmth creep up my neck. “It’s not like that,” I said, though I knew my blush betrayed me.


Jess chuckled. “It’s written all over you. But if you ever need to talk, you know I’m here, right?”


I nodded, grateful for his friendship. “I know. Thanks.”


He slapped the towel down and leaned against the bar. “So, who’s the lucky guy?”


I hesitated for a moment before confiding in him. “Someone you wouldn’t expect,” I said, a hint of a smile playing on my lips. “His name’s Lucien. He’s... different from the guys around here.”


Jess raised an eyebrow. “Different, huh? In what way?”


I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “He’s got a... complicated life. But he makes me feel alive again, Jess. After Torin... I didn’t think that was possible.”


Jess’s expression softened, and he stepped closer. “Look, I know it’s none of my business, but you gotta be careful, alright? I don’t wanna see you get hurt again. And mixing with the wrong kind of folks can lead to a world of trouble, especially around here.”


I knew he was right, but I couldn’t ignore the way my heart raced at the thought of seeing Lucien again. “I know. I’ll be careful. It’s just... I can’t help how I feel, you know?”


He sighed, a look of understanding crossing his face. “I do know, and I ain’t gonna stand in your way. But if he’s the type that brings more drama than a soap opera, you make sure to keep your head on straight, okay?”


“Promise,” I said, though I knew that the promise was easier made than kept.


The rest of the night at the bar was a whirlwind of drinks and laughter, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the hotel room and the way Lucien had looked at me. It was a look that spoke of desire, but also of something deeper, something that made me feel seen in a way I hadn’t been since Torin’s death.


As the clock approached closing time, the bar grew quiet, the last few patrons shuffling out into the night. I found myself counting down the minutes until I could be alone with my thoughts, to let the reality of what had happened truly sink in.


Jess caught me daydreaming and gave me a gentle nudge. “You ain’t gonna get home if you don’t lock up, you know.”


I nodded, snapping out of it, and went through the motions of closing the bar, the same motions I’d performed a hundred times before. Yet tonight, they felt different, like the first steps into a new chapter of my life.


When I finally stepped outside, the heat of the night was a shock to my system, bringing me back to reality. I took a deep breath, feeling the tension in my body ease as I drove the familiar path home. My mind raced with questions about what this newfound connection with Lucien could mean, but one thing was clear: I was no longer just the girl who had lost a man she had loved. I was someone who was ready to live again, no matter the cost.


As I pulled into the parking lot of my studio apartment, the streetlights cast a warm glow on the sidewalk, leading the way. Minutes later, I walked up the steps and let myself in, the silence within greeting me like an old friend. I took off my shoes and tossed my bag onto the couch, the smell of leather and whiskey clinging to me from the bar. Making my way to my bedroom, the memories of the night before played like a movie reel in my mind. After showering, I was slipping into my pajamas when my phone buzzed with a message notification. It was from an unknown number.


"Thank you for last night," it read, simply. "I can't stop thinking about you."


My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the sender was Lucien.


"Neither can I," I typed back, feeling a thrill run through me. "Can we see each other again?"


The response was almost immediate. "I'd like that. Let's keep it a secret for now, though. It's complicated."


I nodded to myself, understanding the gravity of his situation. "I agree," I replied.


With that message sent, I climbed into bed, my mind racing with excitement and nerves. The thought of seeing him again filled me with a warmth that I hadn't felt in a long time. And as I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but wonder if this secret love affair was the answer to breaking free from the chains of grief that had held me hostage for so long.
~~
The next morning, as I clamored my way out of my room, smothering a yawn, I entered the living room, finding Brian sitting on the couch, eating a bowl of cereal.


"Hey, you're up early," he commented, glancing up from his phone.


"Couldn't sleep," I replied, grabbing a mug from the kitchen. "I've got a lot on my mind."


"Anything you wanna talk about?" he offered, his eyes narrowing slightly.


I thought about spilling everything to him, but the words lodged in my throat. "It's just... I had a really good night," I said evasively, pouring myself a cup of coffee.


Brian raised an eyebrow. "With who?"


"Just... a guy," I said, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. "His name's Lucien."


"Ah, the mysterious hotel date," he said, smirking. "How'd that go?"


"Better than I could've hoped," I admitted, taking a sip of the steaming liquid. "He's... different. Not like anyone else I've ever met."


Brian's expression grew serious. "Just be careful, okay?"


I nodded, the weight of his warning sinking in. "I will."