“Well, I figured since I actually left the house tonight, I should look the part.”
I slide into the booth beside Payton, and Ashton plops down across from us, already sipping a drink that looks suspiciously strong.
“You needed this,” he says, pointing a finger at me. “You’ve been hiding out in that adorable little garage apartment like a skincare hermit.”
“I have not.”
They both give me matching looks, and I roll my eyes.
“Okay. Maybe a little. But I’ve been adjusting. Everything changed so fast. I just needed time.”
“Totally understandable,” Payton says gently. “But we’re glad you’re here now. We missed this.”
Ashton raises his glass. “To getting back to being fabulous.”
I laugh and raise my water glass. “To being fabulous.”
The clink of our glasses is loud enough to turn a few heads, and I realize that I don’t care. It feels good to be out. To laugh. To feel like myself again—whoever that is now.
I look at my best friends and feel that familiar flutter in my chest. God, I’ve missed them.
We’ve been glued together since middle school, me, Payton, and Ashton. We met in sixth grade, thrown into the same homeroom class, and the rest is history. We’ve been through everything together: braces, heartbreaks, horrible haircuts, and high school drama. Somehow, through all of it, we never drifted. Even with me moving to Florida, we stayed tight. But nothing compares to being here with them in person, laughing over drinks, and pretending we’re still those same kids, just with better outfits and slightly more trauma.
Payton sits beside me, sipping something pink and fruity with her usual effortless elegance. She’s a total knockout with her blonde hair that always looks like it belongs in a shampoo commercial, piercing blue eyes, and those full lips people pay thousands to try and replicate. She’s the kind of pretty that makes you do a double-take. And the best part? She has no idea how gorgeous she is. She’s also sweet, loyal, and sharp as hell. She works as my brother Noah’s assistant and loves working with him.
Then there’s Ashton, directly across from us, radiating fabulousness in every direction. He’s got that rock star edgeto him—confident, magnetic, and always perfectly styled. Tonight, he’s leaning hard into preppy vibes, wearing a fitted light blue polo tucked neatly into dark jeans with a caramel brown belt. His black hair is styled just right, not a strand out of place, and of course, his watch matches his shoes—classic Ashton. He’s a gorgeous man with striking green eyes and a perfectly sculpted face. I swear, if I didn’t love him like a brother, I would’ve dated him a long time ago.
He ownsBlush & Bloom, the only full-service beauty salon in Honey Springs, and the man is a legend around here. People drive in from all over just to sit in his chair. He’s got the talent, the eye, and the mouth—he’ll roast you and glam you up in the same breath. He’s dramatic, brutally honest, and the funniest person I know. I don’t know what I would’ve done without his FaceTime rants during my years away.
They both came to visit me in Florida a few times. Never let me feel like I was too far to matter.
“I still can’t believe you’re back for good,” Ashton says, giving me that suspicious squint like I’m hiding some secret agenda. “You’re really staying, huh? No more jetting off to the sunshine state?”
“I know,” I say, letting out a breathy laugh. “It still feels a little surreal.”
Payton bumps her shoulder into mine. “But it feels right, doesn’t it?”
I look around The Honey Tavern at the cozy string lights, the mismatched wooden tables, the buzz of conversation around us. This place has barely changed, and somehow, that’s comforting.
“Yeah,” I say, my voice soft but certain. “It really does. Now tell me what’s new with both of you.”
I glance between them, warmth bubbling in my chest. No matter how long we go without hanging out in person, it always feels like we pick up right where we left off.
Ashton is the first to answer, sipping his drink before leaning back with a dramatic sigh. “You know, everything’s the same for me, busy at work, making every woman who sits in my chair feel beautiful.” Making me smile, he continues, smirking. “—and trying to find the perfect man or woman to date, but so far, nothing has grabbed my attention. That’s the curse of living in a small town. No one new ever shows up. I swear, I’ve seen everyone’s baby pictures at this point. It’s like dating my cousins.”
Payton laughs and nearly chokes on her drink. “Gross.”
“I know!” Ashton waves his hand dramatically. “So, I guess I’ll have to cave and start using those dating apps Payton loves so much.” We all laugh at that.
“Well,” Payton says, flipping her hair over her shoulder, “let me tell you, those dating apps have been good for me. Whenever I need to have some fun, I always find someone to pass the time with. So I can’t complain.”
“Still not one to catch feelings, huh?” I ask, teasing.
She grins, unapologetic. “Why would I? I’m in my prime, hot, single, and not here for anyone’s drama. I have standards, and Honey Springs isn’t exactly overflowing with options that meet them.”
“Fair,” I say, laughing as I reach for my water. My gaze drifts around the tavern, scanning for the waitress so I can finally get a real drink, something with flavor and a little kick. That’s when I catch Joy’s eye behind the bar. She gives me a small wave, and I hop up from the booth and make my way over to her.
“I’m grabbing a drink and coming back. Want me to order something to eat?”
