Chris was taken aback. "You're of legal drinking age, right?" he asked Lena.
She nodded.
"In other countries, 21 is the legal drinking age. Are you already 21?" Chris inquired.
Lena didn't understand why he brought this up. Her thoughts were a blur, but she nodded in agreement. "Yes, I am."
"Then why can't you drink?" Chris wondered.
Something sent a jolt through her heart as she gazed at him. His eyes were clear, filled with love and passion meant only for her.
"You silly goose," he said softly, caressing her cheeks. "Why can't you drink?"
"I..." She hesitated, uncertain of what to say. "Don't you think a good girl shouldn't drink?"
She believed that all men disliked their girlfriends drinking at bars. She assumed all men were possessive and controlling.
She expected him to question, scold, or give her the cold shoulder if he smelled alcohol on her.
But all he said was, "Why can't you drink?"
She looked at him with innocent eyes, her mind blank.
"Let me explain," Chris said as he hugged her gently. "You're of legal drinking age, and alcohol is just a beverage. It doesn't make you good or bad. If whether a girl drinks or not is the measure of her character, it's unjustifiable and ridiculous.
"Of course, I'd like to know why you drank. I want to be there for you if you're in trouble or feeling stuck. But it's up to you whether you want to share it with me. I will not force you and will always be by your side."
"Chris..."
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