Chapter Two From Hopeful To Hopeless
One Year Ago
Claire sat at the bar with her usual crew.
Zoey was swirling a gin and tonic, her laughter loud and theatrical.
Natalie sipped red wine with her usual deadpan flair, scarf tucked like armor.
And Leo—Leo stood behind the bar, shaking a cocktail shacker with one hand, arching a brow with the other.
His expression said he knew something and was deciding just how dramatic he wanted to be about it.
Claire felt it before anyone said it. The glances. The shift in air. The way her chest tensed like it already knew where this was going.
"You know we know, right?" Leo said at last, setting down the shaker with exaggerated care.
Claire blinked. "Know what?"
Zoey leaned in, smirking. "Come on. We've all been waiting for years. You're in love with Eli."
Claire choked on her drink.
Natalie didn't flinch. "There it is," she muttered.
"That's ridiculous," Claire coughed out. "We're friends. Just friends."
Leo chuckled, warm and a little wicked. "Sure. Friends who give each other the kind of looks Jane Austen would've charged money for."
Zoe pointed a finger. "You light up like a damn Christmas tree when he texts. I've seen it."
Claire rolled her eyes, but her stomach flipped. "You're all ridiculous."
Natalie took another sip. "And you're in denial."
Leo leaned forward, eyes kind but mischievous. "You look good tonight, Bennett. You always do when he's around. Maybe it's not an accident."
Claire shook her head. She hated how much she wanted to believe them.
"Tonight's the night," Zoey whispered, giddy. "When he walks in, ask him to dinner. Just the two of you. Cue the credits. Cue the indie song. I cry."
Claire opened her mouth, nerves fluttering—
And the bell above the bar chimed.
They turned.
Eli walked in, easy and familiar. His grin was lazy, his charm effortless. Claire's pulse jumped. And then—
Mandy followed.
She laughed at something he said and slipped her hand into his like it had always belonged there.
Silence.
Zoey whispered, "No. No way."
Natalie straightened. "What a plot twist."
Leo's jaw tensed, though he said nothing. His hands stilled on the counter.
Eli gave a quick wave. "Hey, guys. Surprise. Mandy's back."
Mandy beamed. "And so are we."
Nobody moved.
Zoe stared. "You've got to be kidding me."
Leo's voice came light, but cool. "Drink, Mandy?"
"Sure!" she chirped, slipping into a stool like she owned it.
Natalie smiled without warmth. "When did this happen?", she pointed at them still holding hands.
Eli shrugged. "Few weeks ago. We've been talking."
Claire's face didn't change. But something inside her folded in on itself.
"Welcome back, Mandy. It's nice to see you again."
Mandy blinked, clearly surprised by the grace. She squeezed Eli's hand a little tighter.
"Thanks, Claire. Chicago just feels... right again."
Zoe raised her glass. "Well. Cheers to surprise couples and awkward entrances."
Natalie downed hers. "Leo, make mine a double."
Leo was already pouring. "You should've led with the engagement. Really spice things up."
Mandy laughed. Eli looked down, not responding. Clearly feeling something was off.
The warmth in the bar dulled. The mood shifted. History took up space.
Mandy turned to Claire. "You'll have to catch me up. You still write?"
"Always," she said. Her mouth twitching from faking a smile.
Then to Leo: "Whiskey. Double. Neat."
Leo slid it over to Claire without comment. Just a quiet nod, the kind that understood.
Across the bar, Zoey muttered, "That's enough love triangles for one night."
Natalie nodded. "Bet they practiced that entrance."
Mandy leaned closer to Eli, smiling. "I've missed this. Us. All of us."
Eli hesitated. "Yeah. It's... good."
But the words didn't land.
He glanced in Claire's direction.
Only to notice she avoided him like hell.