Page 84 of Vegas with my Ex’s Best Friends

Not a command. Just an offer.

Andrew gives my hand a small squeeze before I let go.

I get up. Cross the few feet to his chair.

He shifts to make room and I tuck in beside him, his arm coming around my shoulders, and he goes back to his book without making it into a moment. Like this is where I was always going to end up and he was just waiting for me to figure it out.

From across the room, Liam watches us over his phone with that slow grin.

“There it is,” he says.

“Shut up,” I say.

“I didn't say anything.”

“You were about to.”

“I was going to say it looks nice. That's a compliment.” He sets his phone down. “You look like you belong there.”

I don't answer him.

Because he's right, and saying so out loud feels like the most dangerous thing I could do.

My phone buzzes on the armrest.

I reach for it.

Unknown number. Las Vegas area code.

I open it.

Connor: Just landed. Coming by for dinner Friday. Can't wait to see everyone.

I read it once.

Read it again.

I set the phone face-down on the coffee table.

“Friday,” I say.

Three heads turn.

Nobody asks who. Nobody needs to.

Liam's grin is gone.

Andrew goes very still on the couch.

Ethan's arm doesn't move from around my shoulders, but his hand tightens, just slightly, at my arm.

The four of us look at each other.

Three days.

“Friday,” Ethan says.

Not a question. Just confirmation, delivered flat and certain, like he's already running the numbers.