Le's Soldier

Part 55

Katie's 25th birthday was chaos before they even got inside.

"Twenty-five," Katie grinned, already half laughing as Georgia wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "You're all buying me drinks."

"You're already drunk," Beth muttered.

"Not yet," Katie shot back.

Leah laughed softly, her hand loosely linked with Lilly's. The ring sat on her finger — simple, silver — but she kept turning it unconsciously. Lilly noticed. She always did.

"You okay?" Lilly murmured.

Leah nodded. "Just tired."

That made Lilly's eyes narrow slightly. She'd been watching her all day — the nausea, the dizziness, the way she'd gone quiet again. Her thumb brushed the inside of Leah's wrist.

"You tell me if you feel off," she said quietly.

"I will."

Lilly leaned forward, pressing a quick kiss to her temple before the girls started dragging them inside.

⸻

The bar was loud. Packed. Warm.

Lucy, Keira, Alessia, Viv, Georgia, Katie, Beth — all clustered together, drinks appearing fast. Someone had already taken over the jukebox.

Lilly ended up pulled toward the bar by Georgia and Lucy arguing about something stupid. She stood between them, amused, whiskey in hand — but her eyes kept flicking back to Leah.

Leah leaned against the high table with Katie and Beth, smiling faintly but quieter than usual.

Then the guy approached.

At first it was harmless.

"Hey," he said, leaning beside her.

Leah gave a polite smile. "Hi."

"You here with someone?"

"With friends."

He didn't move.

Katie got distracted by Georgia yelling something across the room. Beth turned to order drinks.

Leah was suddenly alone with him.

"You don't look like you're having fun," he said, stepping closer.

"I am," Leah replied, shifting slightly.

His hand landed on her waist.

Leah froze.

"Don't," she said quietly.

He smirked. "Relax."

Then he grabbed her wrist.

Across the bar — Lilly saw.

Everything in her went still.

The soldier in her reacted before anything else.

She set the glass down slowly... then moved.

Lucy noticed first. "Uh oh."

Georgia turned. "Oh shit."

Lilly crossed the room in seconds.

"Let go," she said — calm, deadly quiet.

The guy turned. "Who are—"

He didn't finish.

Lilly shoved him back hard. The chair scraped loudly. Leah stumbled away, breathing shaky.

"She said let go," Lilly repeated.