The harsh glare of neon lights assaulted Emily's eyes as she sank into the worn leather chair, her fingers already wrapping around the cool glass of her first shot. The bar buzzed with the usual Saturday night crowd, a cacophony of laughter and clinking glasses mingling with the thrumming bass of some forgotten rock anthem.
"f**k me, I needed this," Emily muttered, knocking back the shot in one swift motion. The tequila burned a fiery path down her throat, settling warm and heavy in her gut.
Sophia raised an eyebrow, already lining up their next round. "Slow down, tiger. We've got all night to drown your sorrows."
Emily snorted, reaching for a chicken wing. "Right, because pacing myself has worked out so well lately."
As she tore into the spicy meat, her mind drifted back to Lucas. His
