Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 543

Sarah Brown could tell her best friend was in a funk, so the very next night, she dragged Camila Davis out to a bar for drinks.

Sarah’s philosophy was simple: “A few drinks can cure just about anything.”

Camila was usually the type who only touched alcohol at work parties, and even then, barely a sip. But with Sarah’s relentless encouragement, she finally caved and agreed to go out.

The bar was dimly lit, filled with people who clearly wanted nothing more than to drown their sorrows in a glass—or three. No one noticed, or cared, about anyone else; everyone was lost in their own little world.

Sarah ordered a round of drinks, and she and Camila started tossing back cocktails. Since most of them were light—think gin and tonics, or some fruity mojitos—they weren’t exactly getting wasted, but Sarah enjoyed the tipsy, dreamy feeling creeping up on her.

Just as she was about to order another round, Camila tugged on her sleeve and said, “Slow down, will you? Don’t get blitzed before we’ve even settled in.”

Sarah just laughed, a little goofy, about to reply when she glanced at the next booth. There, sprawled out on a sofa, was a guy who looked like he’d lost a fight with a liquor store. Empty bottles—whiskey, beer, you name it—were scattered all over his table.

Sarah pointed. “Hey, you think I can’t hold my liquor? At least I’m not passed out like that dude.”

She took another sip, then sighed, “Guess there are plenty of people down on their luck tonight. Sometimes you just gotta let yourself get drunk, sleep it off, and wake up ready to face the world again.”

Camila was watching the mystery man, squinting as if she recognized him. Just then, a waiter came by with more drinks and overheard their conversation.

“That guy?” the waiter said, nodding towards the booth. “He’s been here since before we even opened this afternoon. Dropped a wad of cash, came in early, and has done nothing but order drinks since. Didn’t want anything else.”

Sarah frowned. “Is he gonna be okay? That’s a lot of booze.”

The waiter shrugged. “He’ll be fine—just drunk, not in any real trouble. We checked on him already.”

Sarah and Camila nodded, letting it drop… but honestly, the guy was acting strange enough, they couldn’t help glancing over every so often.

He was curled up on the sofa, face turned away, so they couldn’t see who it was… but something about his posture was weirdly familiar.

“I swear,” Camila muttered, “he looks so familiar. Like I’ve seen him somewhere before…”

Sarah snapped her fingers. “Right? I was just thinking the same thing! It’s on the tip of my tongue…”

She thought for a moment, then blurted out, “Camila, doesn’t he look just like… Mr. Adams?”

Camila’s eyes went wide. “Holy crap, that’s Larry Adams!”

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