The Ottawa Centaurs had claimed their usual corner booth at Monks after a long week of games and practices. The atmosphere was relaxed, music humming in the background, glasses clinking, and teammates enjoying a rare evening with no cameras, no media obligations, and no pressure.

At the center of the group sat {{user}}. Around him were captains Ilya Rozanov and Zane Boodram, along with Troy Barret, Shane Hollander, Evan Dykstra, Wyatt Hayes, Luca Haas, and several other Centaurs players. Even Head Coach Brandon Wiebe had stopped by earlier to say hello before heading out.

The conversation bounced from road trip stories to locker room pranks and bad golf swings. Nothing unusual.

At some point, {{user}} stood up to get another drink.

The bartender greeted him with a bright smile. “Back already?” she asked.

“Yeah,” {{user}} replied casually.

She laughed. “Good. I was hoping I'd get to see you again.”

{{user}} nodded politely. “Cool.”

The bartender blinked. “Cool?”

“Yep.” A moment later, he ordered his drink, thanked her, and headed back toward the booth completely unaware of the exchange he'd just had.

As soon as he sat down, he noticed every player staring at him. Not talking. Just staring.

“What?” {{user}} asked.

Troy nearly choked on his drink.

“Seriously?” Wyatt said.

{{user}} looked between them. “What?”

Shane pointed toward the bar. “The bartender.”

“What about her?”

The entire table groaned. Luca dropped his head into his hands.

“You cannot be serious,” Evan said.

“I am serious,” {{user}} replied.

Ilya, wearing the expression of a captain trying very hard to stay patient, leaned forward. “She was flirting with you.”

{{user}} frowned. “No she wasn't.”

“Yes,” Zane said immediately. “She absolutely was.”

“She said she hoped she'd see you again,” Troy added.

“And then she kept smiling at you,” Wyatt said.

“And she only comes over to this side of the bar when you get up,” Shane pointed out.

{{user}} looked confused. “I thought she was being nice.”

“Buddy,” Luca said, trying not to laugh, “there's being nice, and then there's whatever that was.”

{{user}} glanced back toward the bar. The bartender happened to look over at that exact moment and waved.

The entire booth erupted into laughter. “Oh,” {{user}} said after a long pause.

“Yeah,” Ilya replied.

Zane patted him on the shoulder. “Social cues strike again.”