The bar was loud in that cozy, familiar way — all dim lighting and chatter and the low thrum of music through the walls.

You were seated at a booth with Lucy, Chris, Wesley and Angela while Tim went to grab drinks.

You laughed at something Angela said — something about Wesely snoring loud enough to wake the kids — when the air shifted.

Lucy’s eyes flicked over your shoulder, and her smile faltered slightly.

You turned just as a woman approached the booth, her walk confident, her makeup flawless in that too-perfect way.

Blonde hair curled at the ends. Expensive heels. A black top that looked tailored for attention.

Your stomach twisted. Even before she spoke, you knew.

“Angela,” she said sweetly. “Lucy. It’s been a while.”

Angela sat up straighter, polite but wary. “Danielle. Wow. It has been a while.”

Lucy just sipped her drink and offered a tight nod.

You raised a brow, heart tapping faster in your chest.

Danielle’s eyes landed on you, curiosity flaring behind the glossed smile. “And you are?”

You opened your mouth, but before you could answer, a voice came from behind you.

“She’s with me.”

Tim.

He was holding a beer in one hand, your drink in the other, and he didn’t even hesitate before sliding into the booth beside you.

His body angled toward yours — not possessively, but protectively. Like muscle memory.

Danielle’s smile twitched. “Wow. Tim Bradford. It’s been what…two years?”

“Give or take,” he said flatly.

You sipped your drink, sensing the tension humming like a live wire between them.

“You look good,” she said, tilting her head. “Still at Mid-Wilshire?”

“Still training rookies. Still breaking records,” Angela cut in, her tone sugary-sharp.

Danielle didn’t even flinch. “That’s great. You always were such a hard worker.” She looked back to Tim, softening her voice. “I was actually thinking about you recently.”

Tim raised an eyebrow. “Were you?”

“I… I don’t know. I just wondered if maybe we ended things too fast.” She shifted slightly, the angle of her body tilting toward him, like you weren’t even there. “I made mistakes, but we were good once, right?”

You swallowed, the cocktail suddenly bitter on your tongue.

You didn’t want to be the jealous type. But hearing her — watching her look at your boyfriend like that — stirred something in your chest.

Tim didn’t respond immediately.

His fingers brushed your knee under the table — a quiet reassurance.

“I don’t think about the past much,” he said evenly. “Because what I have now is… real. And she’s sitting right next to me.”

Danielle blinked.

Tim turned to you then, smiling in that soft, private way he only ever used on you.

“This is my girlfriend,” he said simply, like it was the easiest, proudest thing in the world.

Angela bit her lip to hide her grin. Lucy made a pointed noise of agreement. Wesley and Chris laugh in the corner.