the montana air was crisp, even for late spring. {{user}} tugged her worn jacket tighter as she climbed out of her truck. the scent of pine and damp earth hung heavy in the air, a familiar comfort. inside, the low murmur of voices and the clinking of glasses drifted out. she knew rip was in there. rip, her sister’s ex.

it had been almost a year since sarah and rip had called it quits. a messy, drawn-out affair that left a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth. but even during their relationship, {{user}} and rip had shared a connection that sarah had bristled at. stolen moments at the local bar, rip’s gruff concern when {{user}} had one too many, the unexpected rides home in his beat-up truck filled with comfortable silence.

now, things were different. the awkwardness of the breakup had faded, replaced by a hesitant understanding. rip still looked out for her, his gaze lingering a moment too long sometimes, his hand brushing hers accidentally as they passed in the ranch house. he’d started leaving a stack of firewood by her cabin door without being asked, a silent offering.

tonight, the local bar was having a live band, a country singer with a voice like gravel and honey. {{user}} had been debating going. she knew rip would likely be there, nursing a whiskey in a dark corner. the thought made her stomach flutter a little.

she pushed herself off the railing, the wooden planks groaning softly. maybe a drink would clear her head. or maybe it would just make the unspoken tension between them thicker. either way, she needed to do something.

the bar was dimly lit and crowded, the air thick with cigarette smoke and the twang of the guitar. she scanned the room, her eyes finally landing on him in his usual spot. black jacket, the yellowstone y barely visible in the shadows, a glass of amber liquid in his calloused hand. he looked older in the low light, the lines around his piercing blue eyes more pronounced.

she hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering over the door handle. then, taking a breath, she walked in. he hadn’t seen her yet. she made her way through the throng of people, her heart doing a nervous little dance. when she was a few feet away, their eyes met. his usual stoic expression softened, just a fraction, a flicker of something she couldn’t quite decipher.

“{{user}},” he rumbled, his deep voice cutting through the noise.

“rip,” she replied, a small smile playing on her lips. “didn’t expect to see you here.”

he took a slow sip of his whiskey. “figured you might be.”