Penny spotted her first, grinning as she came around the end of the bar.“Look who finally decided to leave the Dairy Bar.”
Ever smiled back, a quick, easy thing.“Don’t get used to it.”
“Too late,” Calla said, sliding past with a tray.“We’re making this a regular thing now.”
Ever huffed out a small laugh, setting her purse on the stool beside her.“That sounds like a terrible idea.”
“Yeah,” Penny said, leaning her elbows on the bar.“You’ll have fun.Horrible idea.”
Ever glanced down at the bar, brushing her fingers over the surface for a second before looking up at Thorn.“Can I get a soda?”
Thorn nodded once, grabbing a glass.“Sure.”
She didn’t look at me.
Not once.
Thorn set the soda in front of her, sliding it across the wood.“Here you go.”
“Thanks,” she said, wrapping her fingers around the glass.
She knew I was there.
I knew she knew.
And still, nothing.
No glance.No nod.No quick comment tossed my way like always.
Just… nothing.I leaned back slightly on the stool, angling just enough to look at her without making it obvious.
Up close, she looked the same.
Same hair pulled back, a few strands loose around her face.Same clothes she always wore.Nothing flashy, nothing trying too hard.
But her shoulders were set differently.More… closed off.
Penny said something that got her attention, and she turned toward her, smiling again, answering like nothing was off.
Like everything was normal.
“Ever!”
Alice’s voice cut across the room, loud enough to turn a few heads.
Ever glanced over, lifting her hand in acknowledgment.
“Get your ass over here,” Alice called.“You’re not sitting at the bar all night.”
Ever hesitated just for a second and then she nodded.“Coming.”
She picked up her soda, slid her purse over her shoulder, and turned.For a split second, her eyes flicked in my direction.Not a full look, but just enough.
Then she walked away.
I pushed off the stool without really deciding to.
“Where you going?”Oliver asked.
