Chapter 1: Collisions

Ava Sharpe stepped out of the humid summer air and into the dimly lit bar, her eyes scanning the room with a practiced intensity. The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses enveloped her, a cacophony that was both familiar and disorienting. She had been away from the Rangers for a few weeks, and the adjustment to civilian life was still rough. Her CO had given her a few days off to unwind, and she'd chosen to spend them in the one place she never thought she'd find solace: a dive bar in the middle of nowhere, West Virginia. As she made her way to the bar, her gaze landed on a petite woman with a mop of curly brown hair, expertly juggling a tray of drinks while charming a group of rowdy patrons. There was something about the woman's easy smile and carefree demeanor that rubbed Ava the wrong way. Maybe it was the way she seemed to be enjoying herself, or the way her eyes sparkled with mischief. Ava took a seat at the bar, ordering a whiskey on the rocks as she watched the woman, Sara, expertly navigate the crowded bar. Sara caught her eye and flashed a smile, which Ava promptly ignored. A few minutes later, Sara swooped down beside her, a mischievous glint in her eye. "What can I get you, sweetheart?" she asked, her voice husky and confident. Ava raised an eyebrow. "Just the whiskey, thank you." Her tone was clipped, and Sara's smile faltered for a moment before she recovered. "Well, isn't someone a little uptight?" Sara teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You know, we don't get many military types in here. What's your story, soldier?" Ava's instincts kicked in, her body tensing at the sudden invasion of her personal space. "I'm just here for a drink," she said curtly, her eyes narrowing. Sara chuckled, undeterred. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots." She slid a glass of whiskey down the bar to Ava, their fingers brushing in the process. Ava jerked her hand back, her face growing hot with irritation. The tension between them was palpable, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken challenge. Ava broke the silence, her voice low and even. "I'm just here to relax. I don't need any trouble." Sara grinned, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Trouble? Me? Never." She winked at Ava, who felt a jolt of surprise at the sudden, electric connection. As they locked eyes, Ava felt a spark of attraction that she quickly suppressed. She wasn't here to get tangled up in some barfly's drama. But Sara's smile lingered, and Ava found herself wondering what it would be like to see that smile directed at her, without the sarcasm and teasing. The night was young, and Ava had a feeling that she was in for a long, eventful ride. Little did she know that her collision with Sara would be only the beginning.