Chapter 0459


    Abby


    The pub, with its warm, amber lighting and the gentle hum of conversation, feels like a haven after the long day of work. Outside,


    it''s nearly frigid, but it''s as warm as can be in here thanks to the flickering fire in the firece. | can already picture a tall ss of


    beer in my hand to ward away the cold that has seeped into my bones.


    | hate to admit it because of Chloe''s cold shoulder, but I’m d | came. It brings me back to the days when Karl and | were


    married, and we would head to the local pub for a drink and a game of billiards on a Friday night.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Even though it’s been over three years, everything looks exactly the same; even the pictures on the walls, Proids of various


    patrons in funny outfits, are still hanging exactly where they were before. It’sforting, in an unexpected sort of way.


    We gather around arge, worn wooden table in the corner and take our seats. The sound of ssic rock music ying over the


    speakersbined with the sound of other patrons chatting and clinking their sses fill my ears, and | can’t help but let out a


    soft sigh of contentment.


    “| haven''t been here in ages,” | say, leaning closer to Leah and Chloe as we settle in. “It feels like forever.”


    “Remember when the three of us won that trivia tournament?” Leah chimes in. “That table of guys was so pissed that they lost to


    a bunch of girls. It was hrious.”


    I let out a soft chuckle, but Chloe doesn’t utter a word. She’s scowling, her arms folded across her chest. | want to say something


    to her, but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. Maybe it’s best to just let her fume for a while until she’s ready to talk.


    A few minutester, eight pints of beer areid out in front of us. Raising my ss, | catch everyone’s attention.


    “| just want to say thank you, all of you, for being here,” | begin as | look around at all of my friends. “And... | know it’s been tough


    lately with the restaurant closing, and I’m sorry for the stress it has caused all of you.”


    Daisy, without skipping a beat, is the first to respond. “Abby, don’t be like that,” she says. “We''re all here for you, no matter what.


    We''re your team, through thick and thin.”


    Ethan, usually quiet, adds, “Yeah, Abby. We know you''re doing everything you can. We believe in you. That restaurant is going to


    reopen, and we''ll all be there to see it.”


    Their words are a relief, although I just hope they''re right. “Thank you,” | say, raising my ss a little higher. “It means the world


    tome.”


    We all clink our sses together—even Chloe joins in—and the night unfolds with an easy rhythm,ughter and stories flowing


    freely. | find myself momentarily lost in the camaraderie, the worries about the restaurant and our collective future momentarily


    forgotten.