The bar had a different energy tonight—subdued, edgy, like the silence after a storm. The four women sat together in their usual corner, but even their drinks didn't hit the same. The incident that had unfolded recently still lingered in their minds. No one said it out loud. Not yet.
Emily broke the silence first, eyes locked on Alicia.
"So… what the hell did you tell your mom after that whole mess with the guy who was supposed to marry you?"
Alicia didn't even flinch. "Told her he's non-vegetarian. Simple."
Emily blinked. "That's it?"
Alicia smirked. "Yeah. He eats meat. And he'll expect the same from me."
Mia snorted into her drink. "Goddamn."
The table exploded with laughter.
Emily leaned back in her chair. "Well, at least your fiancé didn't get called a grandpa in bed. Rosa told my ex he fucks like he's pushing eighty. Slow and sad."
Shanaya grinned. "Oh baby… you're still obsessed with her."
Emily rolled her eyes and stood up, snatching a dart off the wall. "She's playing games with me, and I swear I'm done letting her win."
She hurled the dart mid-rant.
"Oh shit," she muttered as it veered off course.
The dart missed the board completely and went flying toward the bar. The bartender caught it just inches from his chest.
Emily raised her hands. "My bad!"
Shanaya laughed. "Nice catch, man. You've got quick hands."
The bartender gave a half-smile and went back to cleaning glasses.
Suddenly, the bar TV lit up with a commercial—an ad featuring Jennifer, the stunning actress with curves that could kill and a smile that made panties drop.
Alicia pointed up. "Hey. That's Jennifer."
Mia immediately turned red.
Alicia teased, "Isn't she your childhood crush?"
"Girls—don't," Mia said, half-laughing.
"Oh come on," Emily joined in. "Didn't you say you'd take her to the woods and—what was it—fulfill every fantasy?"
Mia rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her grin. "Fine. Yes. I had this whole fantasy… dragging her into the forest, laying her out on a blanket, just riding her until the birds stopped singing."
The table went silent for half a beat.
Then they burst into laughter again.
Emily raised her glass. "Here's to forbidden fantasies."
They all clinked glasses, laughing harder now, the mood finally lifting.
Later that night, they left one by one—back to their homes, their thoughts, their own messes.
Except Shanaya.
She stayed.
The bar had emptied out. Music low. The lights soft. She sat alone at the counter, swirling the last of her drink.
The bartender walked over, drying a glass with a towel. "You alright?"
Shanaya didn't look up. "Yeah. Just thinking."
He leaned slightly forward. "Mind if I ask something?"
"Shoot."
"How come you girls always hang out this late?"
Shanaya cracked a tired smile. "That a problem?"
"Not at all," he said. "I'm just… curious."
She took a breath. "Honestly? I've been stressed. Work sucks. Life's a joke. And going home to that empty apartment just feels… cold. Like the walls are closing in. It's just me and my loneliness, man."
He paused, quiet. "Yeah. I get that."
She looked at him then. There was a softness in her eyes now. "Did you know they have these coats in Japan? Like a boyfriend or girlfriend coat. Wraps around you, hugs you, even talks to you."
"You're serious?" he asked, smiling.
"Dead serious. It asks how your day was and everything. Pathetic, huh?"
He laughed. "Sad as fuck. But kind of genius."
They shared a moment. That kind of silence where you don't have to say anything because you both already know.
Shanaya stood. "I should go."
"Wait," he said quickly. "Just a sec."
He poured her a glass of something golden.
"Japanese Single Malt. Can't let you leave without tasting this."
She paused, then sat back down.
He handed her the glass. They clinked.
"To the economy of living alone," he said. "You can't wait around forever for someone."
Shanaya smiled. "And you can't live without someone either."
"Cheers," he said.
"Cheers," she replied.
They drank in silence. But for once, it didn't feel lonely at all.