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I didn’t need anyone buying me drinks. I didn’t need anyone, period. My entire life I’d only relied on myself and things had turned out well. My business was successful, I had a somewhat decent apartment in a vibrant city, and I was sitting here at a sapphic bar enjoying myself.

Sure, I didn’t have a relationship, but that shit complicated life. I was busy, but my existence was simple. Planned. Uncomplicated (most of the time).

And boring as fuck.

God, I was so damnbored. I hadn’t even noticed until I’d started talking with Melliferal and then it had been even more apparent when I’d started talking with Honey.

Not only was she beautiful, but she was interesting, and I never really knew what she was going to say. Plus, she seemed interested in me. Honey coaxed and teased and pulled parts of me out that I’d ignored or forgotten or hadn’t been aware of.

I liked the version of myself I was around her.

“That was a heavy sigh,” the bartender said. I hadn’t realized I’d let out one out that anyone had been listening.

“Long day,” I said, because that was the thing you said.

“You want another?” I’d reached the bottom of my drink.

“Give me a SoCo and Coke with lime,” I said, falling back on my usual. I couldn’t handle another one of those too-sweet concoctions. Honey would probably love it.

“I’ll have the same,” a familiar voice said over my shoulder and I nearly slid right off my stool in my hurry to confirm it was her.

“What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?” she asked, leaning on one hip, a soft smile playing on her lips in the darkened room.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I croaked.

“You can put her drink on my tab,” Honey said, passing the bartender her card.

“You got it, doll,” the bartender said, and went to make our drinks.

“I promise I won’t make you spill this one.”

The stool next to me was empty, and Honey sat down. Too close. Way too close. Over all the smells that collided in the slightly warm air, I could smell Honey.

Sweet. So sweet.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice sounding like I was begging her to make me understand. Why did she keep infiltrating my life?

“Well, I was going to mope in my room about something, but I have a very wise aunt who told me not to do that. So here I am. Didn’t think I’d see you.”

She’d had no way to know that I’d be here. It was just a coincidence. No matter how I tried to get away from her, it was impossible. Honey Holloway was around every corner.

The bartender returned with our drinks and set them in front of us. Honey picked hers up and held it out toward me.

“How about we leave everything else aside for one night and just be Honey and Bren for a few hours?”

The hopefulness in her eyes was devastating. Saying no was impossible.

“Okay,” I said, tapping my glass gently to hers. We both sipped and she turned her head to the side as she considered the taste.

“That’s good. I like it.”

She gave me her full attention again. “So, how are you doing tonight?”

I almost opened my mouth and said, “better now” but I managed to stop myself at the last second.

She’d been the source of my misery and here she was as the cure. Being next to her made me feel better almost instantly.

“I’m doing fine. How are you?”