Grace looked over the menu with a decisive gleam in her eye. "Alright, I''m going all in!"


    Murray nodded, a silent spectator to her enthusiasm.


    "Hey, Sally!" Grace called out to the owner, who was bustling behind the counter.


    She rattled off a list of orders with the ease of a regr. "Trust me, these are to die for! Better than any fancy restaurant!"


    Grace''s eyes sparkled with excitement as she made her rmendations. Murray, however, was less than enthusiastic. The smoky aroma of the barbecue in the air made his throat itch, and the constant hustle and bustle around them only added to his difort. The tes of grilled food that arrived at their table barely held his attention before he lost all appetite.


    He reminisced about the early days with Roseanne when they''d happily devoured street food together. How things had changed. Now, it all felt wrong.


    Grace picked up a skewer, smiling as she offered it to him. "Try this one. It''s my favorite."


    Murray didn''t reach for it.


    Grace hesitated. "You''re not into this, are you? I''m sorry, I should''ve thought it through," she said quickly, setting the skewer down with an awkward flush. "We can go somewhere else if you want. You pick."


    "It''s not that," Murray replied. "My stomach''s been acting up. I can''t eat muchtely. You go ahead."


    "Oh... but I ordered so much..."


    Murray''s patience was wearing thin. "If you can''t finish it, just leave it."


    Grace managed a few skewers before giving up. The rest went untouched.


    As they settled the bill, Sally came over to clear the table, casting a regretful nce at the leftovers.


    "You young folks shouldn''t orde


    more than you can eat. Money or not, it''s a shame to waste good food."


    Driving Grace back to school, Murray''s expression remained


    distant, and he spoke only sparingly.


    Grace''s attempts at conversation dwindled as the silence grew more pronounced. Murray seemed oblivious, eyes fixed on the road ahead.


    Grace turned to watch the cityscape slip by, lost in her own thoughts, until they passed a lively stretch of bars. "Hey, it''s still early. How about a drink?" she suggested.


    Murray didn''t reply but pulled over, leading Grace into a bar called "The Labyrinth Whiskey Library."


    "Mr. Sherwood! It''s been ages! I almost didn''t recognize you!" The owner greeted him with the enthusiasm of a loyal pup. “The usual? A bottle of brandy and some Louis XIII?"


    Murray, mindful of Grace''s drinking capacity, opted for a bottle of champagne instead, guiding her to a booth.


    The owner watched them with a knowing smile as they walked away.


    The manager leaned in, whispering, "It''s been over a year since hest came, right? I heard he was heartbroken over a breakup. But a year''s a long time..."


    The owner chuckled. "What do you know? Word was he''d sworn off love after his ex, but looks like the rumors aren''t true. Here he is, back with someone new."


    The manager shrugged. "Guys like him, with money, looks, and connections, they''re never out of the game for long."


    "Yeah, well, let''s make sure he has a good time. He''s our ticket to a good night''s earnings."


    ???


    The champagne was a ssic choice-crisp and slightly tart, perfectly chilled. Murray, used to stronger spirits, found its gentle tastecking in punch. He sipped


    slowly, savoring it.


    Grace, on the other hand, seemed delighted by the bubbly sweetness, downing


    three sses in quick session and reaching for another.


    Murray gave her a sidelong nce. "Champagne can still get you drunk, you know."