No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 97



I was at a bar from 3 PM to 9 PM, sipping drinks more to pass the time than to get a buzz. Eventually, I reached a state of mental blankness and physical lightness.

The owner, James, knew me well enough to keep an eye out, ensuring my solitary drinking sessions didn't end in trouble.

"When are you planning on heading out? Someone coming to pick you up?" James had this fatherly concern about him, looking to be in his fifties, reminding me of what my dad would have been like had he still been around.

"I guess now's good," I mumbled, not really wanting to leave.

But, work awaited me tomorrow, and I needed to rest up. Tonight marked the definitive end of whatever was left of my connection with Conrad.

I started to get up, but James intervened, "I can't let you leave like this. I'll get someone to drive you."

turned his bar, tucked away in a little alley, into a hotspot for regulars seeking a familiar

heartache after seeing Conrad dance with a girl

bar and some soup prepared by James. He advised me then, "Whenever you feel down and out, come here. It's not safe anywhere else. Bad things can

then, this bar became my refuge, my escape. James never stopped me from drinking my feelings away but made sure I was safe. His protective nature stemmed

became his mission to protect girls like me, offering a safe space

wanting to

wait here, don't go wandering off," he instructed

a familiar

looked over to

face. "James, looks like I won't be

before under this very roof. Meeting him again tonight felt like more than a coincidence, but I knew better than to dwell on

the tab," I gestured

velibe

next time," James refused, but Dustin, without a word, scanned a QR code, paying a generous 2000, much more than what my drinks