Page 25 of Untroubled Heart

My head falls back with a bellowing laugh.

“That actually sounds amazing,” Beth says. “I’d be so on board with that.”

Steven smacks his husband’s chest. “See!”

“Thanks, Beth,” Barrett says, full of sarcasm.

“You’re welcome.” She smiles around the straw in her mouth, which is dipped into a brightly coloured cocktail.

“I think I need another drink before you undoubtedly pitch your roving cabaret plan to me again,” Barrett says, pulling away.

“Am I wearing you down yet?” Steven turns to follow him.

“Of course, love.”

Steven turns back to us, pumping a fist before he and his husband disappear through the crowd.

“So, Callie.” Beth pulls me over to a nearby booth, and I slide along the leather as she takes a seat opposite me. “What do you think of the place?”

I nod, looking around. “It’s beautiful. I absolutely love how you blended the Art Deco with industrial. It’s like grunge meets elegance.”

“A bit like Gage and his wife.” Beth points her chin to a couple standing by the bar. A huge guy, covered in tattoos, towers over a petite woman with golden curls that fall loosely down her back.

Mason joins us, no longer holding his niece, and slides into the booth beside me.

“Can I get anyone a drink?” A waiter appears, standing at the end of our table with his hands behind his back.

“I’d love a martini, please, Jason.” He gives Beth a nod, then turns to me. “With a straw, please, Jase,” Beth adds as I quickly snatch up the menu on the table, scanning the list of opening night specials on the front. Westley’s parents are watching Navie and Maevyn’s daughter, Aurora, tonight. I expressed two bottles just in case I wanted to have a drink. After my phone call with Cas, it feels more like a need than a want.

“Rose and lemon spritzer, please. Do you have agave instead of honey?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.” I smile, then look at Mason, letting him know I’m finished ordering so he can place his.

“I’ll have the same,” Mason says.

“Traditional recipe with honey, or would you like to swap to agave?”

“Agave. Thanks, Jase.” With a nod, the waiter steps away, making room for someone else.

“Callie?” I’m quickly hit with recognition of Lee’s cousin, Tristan.

“Hi.” I smile. “I forgot you worked on this place too.” He’s an architect and often collaborates with his cousin’s business. He even did the plans for Maevyn’s new pole studio.

Tristan nods, sliding into the bench beside Beth. “I did. Did you come with West?”

I like Tristan. I only met him a few times while I was working at Lee’s company, and he was always polite and funny.

“Actually, I’m working for Mason now.” I almost miss the way his eyes flare as they shift to Mason.

“Callie’s your new assistant?”

Mason leans back in his chair as he assesses us. “How do you know Callie?”

“She worked with Lee before the end of her pregnancy.” Tristan’s attention turns back to me, realisation alight in his eyes. “How did that all go?”

“Great. One healthy baby girl, so I’m very lucky.” The uptick in my tone slowly falls as I take in the silent conversation Tristan and Mason are having. Do they think I can’t see them? The dancing eyebrows, big eyes, and occasional head tilts in my direction–real subtle.