Before I can respond, three more figures walk in, and the energy in the room shifts just a little. I glance up—and yep. There they are.
Austin walks in first. He’s tall and lean, built like a swimmer, with sandy blond hair and a perfect five o’clock shadow that looks like it was painted on. He’s all effortless cool in a Henley and jeans.
Next to him is Violet, his wife. She’s gorgeous in a soft, sunlit kind of way. Curvy, with long blond hair that falls in waves down her back, and a smile that makes you want to tell her your secrets. She waves when she spots us, her eyes lighting up.
And then there’s?—
Holy. Shit.
Esteban Báez walks in like he owns the place, or like the air bends a little around him just to make room. He’s tallerthan Austin by a few inches, broad-shouldered, wearing fitted jeans and a plain white T-shirt that somehow looks like it was tailored for his body. His dark blond hair is styled in that perfectly messy way that guys try to fake but never quite pull off. And the beard? Full, groomed, and criminally sexy. His bright green eyes sweep the room, and when they land on me, my breath stutters.
Ashton, sitting directly across from me, follows my line of sight and smirks knowingly. He doesn’t say anything, probably because my brother is still standing right here, but the look on his face says everything.
The trio makes their way over, and the greetings begin.
Austin is the first to reach me, wrapping me in a big hug and lifting me slightly off the ground like he used to when we were younger. “Look at you! It’s so good to see you again. Welcome home, troublemaker.”
I laugh as he sets me down. “It’s been forever. You look the same, just maybe with broader shoulders.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he smirks, stepping aside as the woman next to him beams at me.
“You must be Eva,” she says warmly, reaching out for a quick hug. “I’m Violet, Austin’s better half.”
Her smile is open and kind, and there’s an instant ease about her that makes me like her immediately. “It’s so nice to finally meet you! I’ve heard good things.”
“All true, I’m sure,” she grins, nudging Austin playfully.
Then Esteban steps up and everything in me goes a little still.
He’s taller than I remember, with a quiet intensity that draws every eye without him even trying. His green eyes lock onto mine, and for a beat, the noise of the tavern fades into nothing.
“Eva Ross,” he says, voice smooth and deep, like it’s been aged to perfection. “Look at you.”
“Hi, Esteban,” I say, hoping I sound casual, but the breathlessness in my voice betrays me.
He grins, slow and self-assured, like he knows exactly what he's doing to my nervous system. “It’s been a long time.”
Too long, I think—but I don’t say it. Because right now, all I can do is stare.
And the way he’s looking at me? It’s not the way you look at your best friend’s little sister. It’s the way a man looks when he’s seeing a woman for the very first time.
And suddenly, I can’t quite remember how to breathe.
Chapter Six
Esteban
The second I step inside The Honey Tavern, the smell of fried food and beer hits me like a wave, familiar and weirdly comforting. Austin and Violet walk a few steps ahead, and I trail behind them, tugging my beanie off and running a hand through my hair.
Noah’s standing near the bar with Josy, his hand casually resting on her lower back as they talk to a group I can’t really see. They’re in the way, blocking most of the booth. I glance around the place, it’s packed tonight, and follow Austin as he heads toward our usual spot.
That’s when I hear it.
“Eva.”
Austin says her name like it’s nothing, like it’s just part of the conversation. But it stops me in my tracks for half a second.
Eva Ross.
