You throw your head back and pour the last drop of beer down your throat. You can still think straight, so you flag down the bartender and silently ask for another. He complies. You wait impatiently as the amber liquid slowly fills the mug.673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zer6MoWlt
“On me,” says a stranger from behind you, and a pale hand slides forward a bill to cover the cost of the drink. Though you’re not in the mood to entertain suitors, you certainly won’t say no to a free drink.673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhaVHg2ozX
You turn to the stranger to thank him dispassionately, but when you see his face, you freeze. “Alan?” you breathe in disbelief. But you don’t need to ask. You already know it’s him. The sharp planes of his face, the slight bend in his nose, the smoldering light in his eyes--not even amnesia could take these memories from you.673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF90929jIG
Instantly, you are on your guard. Though you can’t forget him, you also can’t forget the way things ended. The regret still sears through your dreams, chasing you relentlessly even as you try to run.673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmk3VAEh6G
Alan smiles softly, apologetically. His eyes dart away. All these years later, you still remember this small nervous gesture of his, and it’s all you can do to restrain yourself from embracing him in a comforting hug. “Long time,” he says finally, and you nearly laugh at how much of an understatement that is.673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8LB0jZbqr
“Well,” you begin, and leave it at that. This isn’t a time to reopen old wounds--not when they’ve finally begun to heal.673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUB40J7VWe
You both sit in silence for several minutes. Your beer generates condensation beside your hand, forgotten in favor of relearning the subtleties of Alan’s face. 673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNGzilb5k6
“Look, would you--”673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsbtYSi2TM
“Jace, can I--”673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40c9qk6wld
You both stop, embarrassed and more than a little flustered. You gesture for him to continue.673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAwLVcIAzV
“Jace,” he starts again. He inhales deeply and closes his eyes. You don’t prod, but you silently scream at him to keep talking. “Jace, I know things didn’t work out, back then. But I know you wanted them to, and I did, too. It just...it wasn’t the right time.” He stops, and it doesn’t look like he’s going to continue.673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ3UYlzLed
You’re fairly confident you know what he’s trying to say, so you help him along. “And you think this is?” It comes out colder than you intended, and you wince. But it does the job. A new fire ignites in Alan’s eyes.673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVsG7tmzkg
“Why not?” he challenges. “We were good together, you know we were. Who says that’s changed? Maybe this time…” And he loses his nerve again, his eyes flitting over everything but you.673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSaLfxk5Mw
You sigh. There’s no guarantee that this’ll work out. All those years ago, it didn’t, despite all your efforts to the contrary. Who’s to say this time will be any different? You open your mouth to say no.673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu9NGX1qBE
But then you reconsider. After all, there’s no guarantee this won’t work out. Maybe Alan is right; maybe it’s worth another shot. And anyway, it’s not like you’re going to go crawling back to Liam after the stunts he pulled.673Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6G0GDRLXP
You stand up and smile. “Why the hell not?”
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