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I follow Dex’s gaze and find her sitting at the end of the bar.

In my usual spot.

A half-empty whiskey glass rests between her hands as she sways slightly on the stool.

Lexy looks up and I nod at her before making my way over to Eleonora.

I sit down beside her.

She turns her head slowly, studies me for a second and sighs dramatically.

“You again.” She shakes her head.

I glance at Dex.

As usual, he understands exactly what I’m asking without me saying a word.

“Fifth drink,” he mouths.

Right.

She’s drunk.

“Eleonora.” I say her name.

“Nope.” She points a finger at me. “You are not allowed to call me that.”

Her eyes turn sad. “Only my husband can.”

She blinks. “Well...” Her face falls for a split second. “He can’t.” She makes a motion with her hand as if to explain and then laughs. “Because he's dead.”

Silence.

“But tomato, potato...” She frowns.

“Or... potato, topato?”

She starts laughing at herself.

Lexy walks behind the bar, fills a glass with water and places it gently in front of her.

“I think this will do you more good.”

Eleonora looks from the water to me. “I bet he only drinks water.” She points at me.

“Me?” She lifts the whiskey glass. “I need the strong stuff.” She taps a finger against her chest. “Only way to numb this.”

A shaky breath leaves her as I study her. She doesn't like this stuff, that's clear from the way her nose scrunches and her eyes squeeze shut every time she takes a sip. But I don't think she's drinking it because she likes the taste.

She's drinking it because she likes the escape.

“Just call me Nora.” She shrugs.

Suddenly she looks at Lexy. “Did you know we'll all be dead in a hundred years?”

Lexy smiles sadly. “I know.”

Nora studies her for a moment. “You do know.” She tilts her head. “Who did death steal from you?”