~~~Zoey~~~

We stepped inside the bar, and the atmosphere was surprisingly cozy. Dim warm lighting, soft jazz music playing in the background, and the smell of grilled meat and alcohol filling the air. There weren’t many people,  just a few locals at the counter and some couples in the booths.

Lincoln led me to a quiet corner booth. “Sit down. I’ll get us something to drink.”

I nodded and slid into the seat, kicking off my heels under the table with a sigh of relief. My feet were throbbing.

He came back a few minutes later with two cold drinks and some snacks. He sat across from me, watching me...