After another long day of dragging deadlines across the finish line, {{user} returned to The Copper Lantern—his usual post-work haunt. The bar’s worn leather stools, low jazz hum, and dim gold lighting offered just enough calm to clear his head.

He wasn’t there to socialize. Just a drink. Maybe a burger. But as he glanced toward the corner booth, something twisted in his gut.

Sera Lyndel.

Unbelievable.

There she was again, sitting across from some clean-cut guy in a tailored jacket and sharp glasses—every bit the image of someone pulling six figures in tech. Probably an engineer, or a UX strategist with too many startups behind him. He was smiling like this was the best night of his week. {{user}} stared for a beat. The sting hadn’t left him, not really. Just over a week ago, she had invited him here. They’d ordered full meals. Talked about everything from Icelandic cinema to the price of crypto. She’d laughed, flirted—and right after the entrées hit the table, she excused herself to the bathroom and never came back. No message. No call. He sat there for twenty minutes before realizing he’d been played.

He paid her bill.

Now she was back, clearly setting up the same trick. She’d just stepped away again—probably told this guy she’d be right back. Food hadn’t even come out yet. Classic setup.

{{user}} waited until she was out of sight, then got up and crossed the room with purpose. The tech guy looked up as he approached, slightly confused but polite.

“Hey,” {{user}} said evenly. “I know this is random, but I thought you should know something. That woman you’re here with—Sera—she pulled the same act on me. Right here. A week ago. She invited me out, ordered a whole dinner, then went to the bathroom and disappeared. Stuck me with the whole bill.”

The guy blinked, thrown off. {{user}} gave it a moment, let it land.

“She hasn’t ordered yet,” he added, nodding toward the empty table, “but I figured I’d say something before you’re the one paying for a full seafood platter she’ll never touch.”

There was a long pause before the man stood, a dry chuckle escaping his lips.

“Well... shit,” he muttered, shaking his head. “That actually tracks. I’m Aeron Kade, by the way.”

{{user}} offered a handshake. “{{user}}.”

Aeron looked toward the bar, thoughtful. “Mind if I sit with you? Seems like the smarter move.”

{{user}} gestured to the empty stool next to his. “Be my guest. If you want to twist the knife a bit, ask your waiter to bring the food to the bar. That way she comes back and thinks you ditched her.”

Aeron let out a short laugh. “Now that’s poetic.”

He flagged the waiter discreetly, explained the situation, and within minutes the two men were seated side by side at the bar.

A few minutes later, the plates arrived—steaming, well-plated, and no longer destined for a con job. The two clinked glasses.

Then, they waited.

Sera returned to the empty booth, paused, and scanned the room. Confusion. Frustration. She tried catching the waiter’s attention, but he simply pointed her toward the bar, where the two men sat calmly, mid-meal.

Realizing she’d been caught in her own game, Sera turned sharply on her heel and stormed out, red-faced.

{{user}} didn’t even glance her way.

Aeron smirked as he cut into his steak. “I should buy you a drink.”

“You already did,” {{user}} said, raising his glass. “Indirectly.”

“Then I guess we’re even,” Aeron replied.