In the picturesque town of Leavenworth, Washington, 27-year-old Sofie Bennett leads a life marked by its comforting predictability. As a sweet-natured waitress at The Alpine Tavern-a cozy haven where locals come together for hearty meals and lively...
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The Alpine Tavern had a different feel to it now, like it was finally breathing easy. No more tension, no more dark clouds hanging over it. Just the usual sounds of laughter and glasses clinking, filling the air. But for me, today was different. Today, I was saying goodbye. I stood behind the bar, fingers tracing the smooth, familiar wood. This place had been my refuge, my battleground, and now... it was time to leave it behind. My heart felt heavy, yet there was a lightness too—a sense of something new just over the horizon. Across the room, Salice and Ayanna waited for me at our usual table. Salice's fiery red hair blazed under the dim tavern lights, her arms crossed as she leaned back in her chair. But her eyes betrayed her tough stance—they were soft, sad even. Ayanna sat next to her, her long braids cascading over her shoulders like rivers of silk, her calm gaze watching me, steady and unwavering, like she was bracing for the inevitable.
I took a deep breath and walked over, my feet feeling heavier with every step. Salice was the first to speak. "So, you're really doing this, huh?" Her voice had that playful edge to it, but I could hear the crack beneath the surface.
"Yeah," I whispered, feeling the lump rise in my throat. "I am."
Without another word, Salice stood up and pulled me into a tight hug. Her arms wrapped around me with a fierceness that caught me off guard, like she was holding on for dear life. "You better not forget about us," she muttered, her voice thick. "Because I'm not going to let you."
Her hair brushed against my cheek as we stood there, and for a moment, I closed my eyes, letting the warmth of her hug sink in. Salice had been my fire, my spark when I needed it most. Letting her go felt like losing a piece of myself.
"I could never forget you, Salice," I whispered back, my voice shaky. "You've been my ride-or-die through all of this."
When we pulled apart, there were unshed tears glistening in her eyes, and I knew mine were the same. Ayanna stood then, her presence always so steady, so grounding. She smiled softly as she opened her arms, and when I stepped into her embrace, it felt like coming home. Ayanna's hug was different—softer, calmer, but no less powerful. Her braids brushed against my skin, cool and smooth, and the scent of lavender filled the air around us.
"You've grown so much, Sofie," she murmured, her voice a balm to the ache in my chest. "I'm proud of you. But you make sure to take care of yourself out there, okay?"
I pulled back to look at her, my throat tight with emotion. "I will. I promise." I squeezed her hands, holding on for just a second longer, because I wasn't sure how to let go.
We stood there for a moment, the three of us—Salice with her fiery spirit, Ayanna with her quiet strength, and me, caught between the life I'd known and the one I was stepping into. It hit me then, how much they meant to me. How much we'd been through together.
"I'm gonna miss you both so much," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Salice grinned, though there was sadness in her eyes. "You better. But don't worry—we'll visit. You can't escape us that easily."
Ayanna nodded, her braids swaying as she did. "We're family now. No matter where you go."
The weight of their words settled into my heart, and I knew they were right. Family. That's what we had become.
I hugged them both one last time, then made my way to Cal's office. He was leaning against the doorframe, his usual stern expression softening just a little as I approached. "You've done good, Sofie," he said, his voice rough but kind. "This place won't be the same without you, but I know you're ready for whatever's next."
I hugged him too, feeling the strength in his arms, even if he didn't say much more. "Thank you, Cal. For everything."
Stepping outside, the air was warm, the sky a brilliant mix of orange, pink, and gold as the sun sank lower behind the mountains. The evening breeze brushed against my skin, carrying with it the scent of pine and the promise of something new.
Ethan was waiting by his motorcycle, leaning against it with that quiet confidence he wore so well. The fading sunlight caught the edges of his leather jacket, casting him in a soft, golden glow. His eyes met mine, and in that moment, I felt it—the shift, the change. We were stepping into something different now, together.
"Ready?" he asked, his voice low, rumbling like the engine that was about to roar to life.
I glanced back at the tavern one last time, at the life I'd known, the people I loved. Salice and Ayanna were watching from the doorway, their silhouettes framed by the fading light. I gave them a wave, and they waved back, their smiles bittersweet but full of love.
I turned back to Ethan and smiled. "Yeah. I'm ready."
Climbing onto the bike, I wrapped my arms around his waist, feeling the steady strength of him beneath my hands. The engine roared to life, and as we pulled out onto the open road, the wind tangled in my hair, lifting away the weight of the past. The world stretched out before us, the road winding through the valley as the sky blazed with color. The setting sun painted everything in hues of gold and pink, the last rays of light flickering across the horizon. It felt like freedom, like possibility, like everything I hadn't dared to dream about before. As we rode toward the fading light, the warmth of Ethan's body against mine, I felt the future opening up, wide and endless. And for the first time in a long time, I wasn't afraid. I smiled to myself, letting the wind carry away the last of my doubts.
This wasn't the end. It was the beginning of something beautiful.
