Song for this chapter: Jeremy Zucker - Always, I'll Care on the multimedia.

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Juls

After the Valentine's dinner with Nat and the team, the restaurant was winding down. Nat approached me with a smile that was as warm as the food we'd served.

"Juls, I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful night," she said. "The food was incredible, and everyone really enjoyed themselves."

I smiled back, feeling a bit of pride. "I'm glad you had a good time, Nat. It was a pleasure having you all here."

Nat's smile grew softer as she glanced around at the remaining staff. "I know it was a bit unexpected to have us here, but it meant a lot. You know, you should really consider talking to Sign."

I raised an eyebrow, curious about her sudden shift in focus. "Sign? Why do you say that?"

Nat's expression grew thoughtful. "Well, she's been through a lot recently. From what I can tell, she could use a friend right now."

Her concern was clear, but it left me puzzled. "Really? I didn't know she was having a tough time. What's going on?"

Nat hesitated for a moment before responding. "I'm not entirely sure, but it's obvious she's been dealing with some personal issues. And seeing her tonight... I think she could really use some support."

I tried to piece it together, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll keep that in mind."

As Nat and the team said their goodbyes, I felt a sense of relief that the night was coming to an end. Just when I thought everyone had left, Linc approached me, his usual cold demeanor in place.

"Juls," Linc said, his voice low and steady. "I need to ask you something."

I braced myself, trying to keep my composure. "Sure, what's up?"

"How do you know Sign?" Linc asked, his eyes locking onto mine with a serious expression.

I felt a jolt of anxiety at his question. I didn't want to reveal too much, so I decided to downplay the connection. "Oh, Sign? She's just a loyal customer. She comes by the restaurant every now and then."

Linc's gaze didn't waver, but he seemed to accept my explanation for the moment. "I see. Well, if you see her again, could you give me a call?"

He handed me a business card, his fingers brushing mine briefly. "Here's my number. Please contact me if she comes back."

I took the card, trying to mask my unease. "Sure, I'll let you know if I see her."

Linc nodded, his expression still unreadable. "Thanks."

As he turned to leave, I couldn't help but feel that there was more to this than he was letting on. His demeanor was as detached as ever, but the urgency in his request suggested otherwise.

After Linc walked away, I slipped the card into my pocket, wondering what exactly he wanted to discuss with Sign and why he seemed so intent on finding her.

Tony, still wearing his apron and with a bit of flour on his cheek from the kitchen, approached me. He looked a bit puzzled.

"Hey, Juls," Tony said, wiping his hands on his apron. "I overheard some of that conversation with Nat and was caught off guard. I didn't realize Nat and Sign knew each other. Did I miss something?"

I was still processing the whole interaction with Linc. "Yeah, I didn't know either. Nat seemed to think Sign could use a friend, but it felt like there was more to it."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Nat's usually pretty straightforward, but she seemed unusually concerned about Sign tonight. And then Linc asking about her—what's that all about?"

I shrugged, trying to piece things together. "I'm not entirely sure. Nat's concern and Linc's interest have me curious. I didn't get the full picture, but there's definitely something going on with Sign that we're not seeing."

Tony frowned, his hands still wiping away remnants of the night's work. "It's strange. I didn't catch all the details, but if Nat and Sign have a history, it's new to me. And Linc's reaction makes it even more confusing."

I nodded, feeling the weight of the night's mysteries. "Yeah, I'm not sure what's up with Linc's interest in Sign. I guess I'll have to dig a bit deeper to understand what's really going on."

Tony gave me a sympathetic pat on the back. "Well, if you need any help figuring it out, just let me know. For now, let's wrap things up and enjoy what's left of the night."

After the restaurant had cleared out and the staff had begun their own winding-down process, Tony and I headed to Sign's apartment. We had a Valentine's treat for her—a special dessert from the restaurant that she had missed out on earlier because she left in a hurry. I hoped this small gesture would show that I was thinking of her.

When we arrived, the evening was calm, the streetlights casting a warm glow over the quiet neighborhood. I knocked on the door, and Sign opened it, her expression a mix of surprise and weariness.

"Hi, Sign," I said, holding out the box with the Valentine's treat. "I brought you something we saved from earlier. I remember you had to leave pretty quickly, and I thought you might still want this."

Sign's eyes softened slightly as she took the box from me. "Oh, Juls, thank you. I really appreciate it."

I could see the tension in her posture and noticed she didn't invite us inside. "Is everything alright?" I asked, trying to gauge her mood.

Sign hesitated, then shook her head. "Actually, it's not a good time. I've got some things to handle right now."

Before I could probe further, she started to close the door. I sensed that there was something more going on. "Are you sure? We were just wrapping up at the restaurant, and I wanted to make sure you got this."

Sign's frustration was clear. "It's really not a good time. I'd prefer if you didn't come in."

I pushed gently, "Why? What's going on? You seem upset."

Sign's irritation boiled over. "It's none of your business, Juls. Just stop trying to fix things all the time. The reason we broke up seven years ago was because you were a mess and couldn't get your life together. I'm not in the mood for another lecture or confrontation."

Her words hit hard, and I saw Tony's concern deepen as he observed the exchange. "Sign, that's not fair," I said, my voice hurt and defensive. "I didn't come here to reopen old wounds. I just wanted to be kind."

Sign stood firm, her face set with determination. "I appreciate the gesture, but I need you to leave now."

Tony placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and gave me a sympathetic look. "Come on, Juls. Let's go."

As we walked away, I felt a mix of frustration and confusion. I didn't understand why Sign was so angry or why she pushed us away. The drive back was quiet, both Tony and I lost in our thoughts, the weight of the evening's conversation lingering in the air.

Tony and I settled into our usual booth at the dive bar, Tony still in his chef's uniform but without the apron, looking both relaxed and slightly worn from the day's events. I slumped into the seat, finally letting go of the tension from earlier.

"Man, what a night!" Tony said, taking a long pull from his beer. "That Valentine's dinner was like a circus."

I laughed, shaking my head. "I swear, I thought you were going to lose it when the guy in the red suit tried to propose with a ring made of spaghetti."

Tony nearly choked on his drink. "That was the best part! I thought you were going to faint when you saw that. I had to duck behind the counter just to keep from laughing. Who proposes with pasta?"

"I guess he thought it was a unique touch," I said, grinning. "Though, I have to admit, it was creative. At least the lady seemed amused."

"Yeah, and I'm still trying to figure out how the kid managed to get a 'Will you marry me?' written in marinara sauce," Tony said, shaking his head. "We had to scramble to get the stains out of the tablecloths."

I snorted, remembering the chaos. "And then there was the couple who decided to serenade each other with karaoke. I thought the sound system was going to blow up."

Tony laughed, leaning back in his seat. "That's nothing. You missed the part where one of the waiters accidentally knocked over the dessert cart. I'm pretty sure I saw a chocolate lava cake go airborne."

I chuckled, the memory of the flying desserts brightening my mood. "I heard about that. The kitchen turned into a crime scene. I had to dodge a few stray strawberries."

Tony grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I swear, the restaurant's never been that lively. I think the chef's coat will need to be permanently mounted on the wall as a trophy for surviving Valentine's Day."

We clinked our glasses together, laughing heartily. The bar's lively atmosphere and Tony's humor were a welcome distraction from the earlier tension, but I could feel the effects of the alcohol making me more reflective. The evening had been heavy, and it seemed like the right time to open up.

"You know," I started, my voice a bit unsteady, "there's something I haven't told you about Sign. The real reason we broke up."

Tony paused, his expression shifting to one of genuine interest. "Oh? What's that?"

I stared into my beer, the dim bar lights casting a soft glow on the surface. "I was a mess back then. Always drunk, always out with friends, never able to hold down a job. I kept getting fired, and..."

I trailed off, taking a deep breath. "Sign didn't see a future with me. She loved me, but I was just... stuck. I wasn't doing anything to fix myself or my life. She couldn't keep waiting for me to get it together. Eventually, she gave up."

Tony's expression softened, and he reached over to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. "That's rough, man. I didn't know it was that bad."

"Yeah," I said, taking another sip from my glass. "It was. I think she wanted me to be better, but I just couldn't pull myself together. She left because she had to. I don't blame her."

Tony gave me a sympathetic look, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding. "Well, you're not that guy anymore, right? You've come a long way since then."

I nodded, managing a sad smile. "I hope so. I didn't realize how much I'd messed things up until it was too late."

For a while, we sat in quiet reflection, the lively chatter of the bar continuing around us. Despite the heaviness of the conversation, the warmth of our friendship and Tony's lightheartedness made it a little easier to bear.

Tony finally broke the silence, his voice lighter now. "Well, at least we've got more nights like this to look forward to, minus the flying dessert, of course."

I laughed softly, grateful for the distraction. "Yeah, definitely. Here's to better days and not getting spaghetti rings in the future."

Tony raised his glass in agreement, and we clinked again, finding comfort in the small joys of the present.

As we continued to sip our drinks, Tony leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You know, Juls," he began, "I've been thinking about what happened tonight. About you and Sign."

I looked up from my glass, intrigued by Tony's tone. "Yeah? What's on your mind?"

Tony took a deep breath, his gaze thoughtful. "I know it's been tough, seeing her again after all these years, and I can tell it's been weighing on you. But here's something to consider. Maybe this reunion wasn't just a coincidence."

I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

"Think about it," Tony said, leaning forward slightly. "Sign came to Manhattan, and you both crossed paths again. Maybe she needed to see how far you've come. She needed to see the success you've built for yourself. It might be her way of acknowledging that things turned out well for you."

I considered Tony's words, the weight of them sinking in. "So, you're saying it's not just about the past?"

"Exactly," Tony replied, nodding. "It's about the present. And maybe even the future. Sometimes, we get these chances to show people who we've become. To show them that we've grown, that we've changed. It's not always about reopening old wounds but about letting others see that we're doing okay."

I took a thoughtful sip of my drink, letting Tony's perspective sink in. "You might be right. Maybe it's less about what happened before and more about what's happening now."

Tony grinned, raising his glass. "Exactly. So, don't overthink it. Just appreciate that you've come a long way and that Sign saw it. Sometimes, that's all you need."

I clinked glasses with Tony, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. His words were a small comfort, a reminder that our past doesn't have to define us and that sometimes, reunions are more about growth and acceptance than about dwelling on old hurts.