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Chapter 15- The Door You Meant to Close.

Author: Vee Clemens
last update Last Updated: 2025-10-16 03:29:09
Ethan stood at the edge of the bar’s low light, palms sweating and a little bit nervous.

“Two whiskeys,” said a voice beside him, smooth like she was a regular. “Neat for me, rocks for…?”

He didn’t have to look. He knew who it was and he turned straight away.

“Leah?”

She smiled with her mouth and something sharper behind her eyes. Her hair was shorter, a clean cut that made her jaw look more pronounced. The dress was well picked out, her make up thoughtfully applied to express the saying ‘less is more’.

“Hi, stranger.” She slid onto the tall stool like the room belonged to her. “You look more tired than the last time I saw you.”

He opened his mouth as if to say, I shouldn’t be here, instead he said, “It’s been a month.”

“Every month is a month,” she countered, feigning amusement. “Welcome to adulthood.”

The bartender set down their drinks. Leah lifted hers, waited until he lifted his, and said, “To poor coping mechanisms.”

He clinked hers, as he smiled.

They’d met before he left for th
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