* * *
The streets buzzed with life, much like my friend Summer here, who radiated energy at everyone we passed. We went window shopping for a bit, and she told me everything in the world she knew about music, my mom, the Academy exams with arrogant students, and the wild departmental parties. She even filled in some gaps in my memory from that time, making me realize I’d left more behind than I thought. As if the past wasn’t just something I’d survived, but something I’d once belonged to.
An hour ago, the guys texted, and we agreed to meet at the hotel restaurant. The heat had made my hair a frizzy mess, so I ran my fingers through the roots, making me look like I had a lion’s mane. Summer dabbed her chest with the ice water a waiter brought. We were quite a sight.
“So, have Ethan and Luke always been this close?” I asked, already munching on bread.
“Like a hand in a glove?” Summer laughed. “Pretty much. Sometimes I swearthey’rethe couple, and I’m just the third wheel who feeds them and updates their wardrobe. Alex is definitely part of the mix, too. Honestly, they’re like a very functional tricycle. With Logan providing the legal advice, naturally.”
“You two are adorable together,” I said.
“Now we are, but you wouldn’t believe the start of our relationship. We fought and broke up constantly. If I went through that now, at thirty, I’d have dumped him.” I laughed. “Which would’ve been my loss, of course. Somehow, we stuck through our stupidity. And let me tell you, nothing bonds you more than both of you deciding you want to be with the person next to you,despitethe arguments. Fate has nothing on you. That’s the only reason we’re together today. We made a choice.” Her eyes glistened. “Best damn decision I ever made in my life.”
“That’s inspiring,” I admitted.
“Plenty of our friends and family told us to break up. And now suddenly they’re all likeI knew from the beginning you too are meant for each otherand all that crap.” Summer mimicked a high-pitched voice. “But Ethan was the one who chose me, and in the end, I chose him, too.”
“To choices then.” I raised my sparkling cider, clinking glass with hers.
Minutes later, loud voices filled the lobby. Ethan and Luke rounded the corner, all smiles and excitement.
“Looks like the meeting went well,” Summer noted as they sat, already signaling the waiter.
“It wentincrediblywell,” Ethan beamed. “We pitched our idea, and Iknewfrom his face—he was hooked from the start.” They high-fived, both grinning. Luke had such a sweet smile, it drew me in before I even realized.
“I expected him to say he’d think about it, but in the end, Watson said he’s in. Shook on it and everything.”
Their happiness swelled through me, and I was grateful I hadn’t chickened out about calling Watson. Maybe I needed to say yes more often to the things that scared me.
“Man, you were great,” Luke said to Ethan. “Every argument sharp and well delivered. I’m shocked he’s not jumping on a plane to the States already.” He shrugged off his jacket, unbuttoned the top of his shirt, and rolled up his sleeves.
“I’m proud of you. Williams is gonnalose itover this.”
Summer and I exchanged amused glances at their bro-moment.Broment.
An hour and three drinks later, they were deep into travel stories. I hadn’t laughed this hard in ages.
“So, during our ski trip to Canada, I walked in on Ethan and Logan peeing off the balcony. And the funniest part was theywere so drunk, when I asked them what they were doing, they flipped me off and Ethan yelled,‘Choose your own adventure!’”
Oh my God, I couldn’t breathe. I was actually dying from laughter.
“You have to stop, I can’t—” I gasped, muffling laughter with my arm. Without realizing it, my other hand squeezed Luke’s thigh. He glanced down but didn’t move. I leaned into him, pressing my forehead against his shoulder, catching my breath.
As Ethan and Summer ordered more drinks, Luke leaned in. His scent hit me instantly. By now, I responded to it instinctively.
“Not that I’m not enjoying this, but could you move your hand? Otherwise, we’re going to have a problem that can only be solved by me bending you over in the nearest bathroom.”
My gaze followed his, landing on my hand that was dangerously close to his manhood. My cheeks flushed, and a rush of blood surged between my legs. My laughter died, replaced by the overwhelming urge to kiss him. I squeezed his thigh once more experimentally, and his eyes darkened.
Unfortunately, the alcohol in my veins turned the tension into another giggle. Luke smiled too, though I saw his eyes telling me the same thing my body was. That I actually would like to be bent over.
I glanced away, but something told me it was too late. We were caught. Ethan was watching the interaction unfolding between us. I pulled my hand back. Luke’s smile vanished the second he noticed Ethan’s face.
Something changed in the air. Luke’s jaw tightened, frustration flickering in his expression. Silence stretched, but I was lost in the translation.
“Yes, such a fun trip,” Ethan continued. The story, though, had a different vibe now. “Remember when I played wingman for Luke at the club?”
My stomach clenched.
