Only this time, I have to hold onto the counter for support.
Chapter Seventeen
ALEX
After a long day at the gallery, Nate and I decide to hit up Finlay’s for a drink and a late dinner. The place is a comforting mix of casual charm and celebrity discretion, with its tucked-away booths and low lighting. Over burgers and fries, Nate picks at his food, staring off into the middle distance, clearly lost in thought.
“Are you actually going to eat, or is this your attempt at dieting?” I tease, popping a fry into my mouth.
Nate snorts, shaking his head. “Not hungry, that’s all. Long day.”
I study him for a moment, debating whether to press. “You know, not eating won’t magically fix things with you and Ria.”
He looks up, raising an eyebrow. “You giving me life advice now, Alex?”
“Somebody has to,” I reply with a smirk, stealing a fry from his plate. “Besides, I’ve been told I’m good at bossing people around. Consider it a service.”
Nate huffs a quiet laugh, finally taking a bite of his burger. “Fine. Happy?”
“Ecstatic.” I raise my glass in mock celebration, and for a moment, the tension in his shoulders eases.
As we finish eating, Nate’s phone buzzes. He glances at it, his expression shifting slightly. “Matt’s with Danger and Lunar. They’re heading here.”
I pause mid-sip of my drink, suddenly nervous. Meeting more members of the Recoil family feels like stepping into another world. “Danger and Lunar?” I ask.
“They’re… unique,” Nate says with a faint smirk. “You’ll see.”
When we come here, Nate and I always take the same booth—a semi-private nook in the back of the bar, shielded from prying eyes. It’s perfect for low-key conversations, especially with Dwayne and Scott standing watch like inconspicuous shadows. Tonight, their presence feels even more reassuring.
Just as I start to relax, three figures explode into the booth like a chaotic whirlwind. One of them slides in next to me, and I glance up to find Matt grinning down at me, his boyish charm on full display. I smirk, my laugh bubbling out as the trio settles into place.
Matt’s smile deepens as the guy sitting next to Nate catches my attention. He’s the kind of man you can’t ignore—sexy in that effortlessly dangerous way, his arms and neck a canvas of intricate tattoos. He bumps fists with Nate in an easy, familiar greeting, his demeanor relaxed despite their dramatic entrance.
Before I can process the scene, a woman slides onto the tattooed guy’s lap like she belongs there, and honestly? She does. She’s stunning, with bold, curvaceous confidence and hair dyed in a mesmerizing gradient from faded pink to sunny yellow. She’s magnetic, the kind of person who makes you want to know her story. He doesn’t hesitate to wrap his hands around her upper thighs, holding her there like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
I blink, my eyes widening slightly at the unabashed display of affection, but no one else in the room seems fazed. Clearly, this is just how they are. Realizing I’m the only one reacting, I quickly shrug it off, letting the moment pass. If they’re comfortable, then who am I to judge?
“Hey!” Matt says, leaning closer to me. “Danger, Lunar, this is Alex… curator extraordinaire, awesome friend, and lover of Mexican food.”
I chuckle, giving a small wave. “Hi. Nice to meet you guys.”
Lunar sits up taller, and he groans like her weight shifting hurts him. “Girl, your hair is freaking bonza. Gotta love a woman who knows how to dye.”
Smiling, I grin and nod. “Thanks, I love yours, too.”
“Oh, don’t start.” Danger groans. “I didn’t come all this way to talk fucking hair. Give me booze and food… or sex. Yeah, gimme sex,” Danger says, and Lunar rolls her eyes.
“Urgh, like you don’t get enough ofallof that. Let me have some girl talk, you fiend.”
Matt chuckles as Nate sighs, taking another sip of his beer like this is their typical banter.
I like these two already.
They’re my kind of people.
“Fine, but I wanna tie you up later,” Danger says, making me burst into laughter as Lunar grins wildly.
“Please stop talking…” Matt groans, and Nate does the best exaggerated eye roll I’ve ever seen.
