Page 63 of Keeping Time

Panel 1: Denver rubs at the back of his neck, the only sign that betrays his nerves, because otherwise he smiles easily at Elena, who remains adamantly unapproachable. She has her hands on her hips and her mouth bunched up in a scowl. Despite this, Denver ventures, "I appreciate it. Could you give Daniel a message for me?"

Panel 2: Whatever Elena was expecting to hear, this probably wasn't it. She raises an eyebrow and asks, "Daniel? You’re asking about Daniel?"

Panel 3: Elena suddenly leans in close to Denver, squinting suspiciously. "Hmm..."

Panel 4: Elena gets even closer, her skeptical face now inches away from Denver's increasingly uncomfortable one. "HMMM...."

Panel 5: Just as suddenly, Elena pulls back and snaps a finger in recognition. She says, "Oh! The high school friend! Guitar boy!" Denver is caught off guard and can only smile nervously in return.
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Page 63

If I had some foresight, I maybe wouldn't have scheduled an update on a U.S. holiday but y'know!! YOU LIVE AND LEARN.

Anyway, I have given it a lot of thought, and I believe this is how Elena is managing to get all up in Denver's space, despite the very wide bar counters.

A very terrible doodle of Elena with one knee up on a bar counter, while a stick figure-like Denver goes, "!"

Elena's willingness to climb on bar counters is part of the reason why Denver is so startled here, but the other part is: it's incredibly intimidating to suddenly have as beautiful a woman as Elena seemingly judging your life in her hands!!!!

Edit: A friend just commented this on Bluesky and it made me laugh so loud I HAD TO SHARE IT HERE.

A bluesky screenshot of a post by @hikatamika.com‬ VIBECHECK.EXE is now in progress…