Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Eva
Ilook in the mirror and give myself one final once-over before heading out to meet Payton and Ashton at The Honey Tavern.
We’ve been talking about having a night out for weeks, and it’s finally happening.
It's been way too long. I’ve been so busy with the move and settling into my new apartment that I haven’t seen my friends since I arrived last week.
Smoothing my hands down my dark skinny jeans, I adjust the hem of my flowy blouse.
It dips just low enough to show a little cleavage, cute, but not trying too hard.
The soft fabric moves with me, and paired with my tan ankle boots, I feel like I pulled off the casual-but-hot look I was going for.
My makeup is simple; just a little bronzer, mascara, and a nude gloss.
My dark hair is straight and parted to the side.
It feels like me. The confident version, the one I haven’t seen in a while.
Satisfied, I grab my phone, keys, and coat from the hook by the door. The thick wool jacket is a lifesaver tonight, the temperature’s dropped again, and when I step outside, the cold hits me like a wall. My breath turns to mist as I exhale, white puffs dancing in the night air.
I glance back at the apartment as I lock the door.
Josy and Noah really came through for me.
The place is a perfectly cozy, two-bedroom space with an open layout that sits above their detached garage.
It’s warm, bright, and fully furnished, which made the move way easier.
All I had to bring were my clothes and my skincare stash.
It’s quiet, too, peaceful in a way I didn’t realize I needed.
As I walk to my car, gravel crunching under my boots, I feel something shift inside me. Excitement maybe. Or hope. Something that feels like I made the right choice by moving back home.
Just as I pull open the door, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I glance at the screen.
Brandon.
I stare at the name for a second, but I don’t answer.
Less than a minute later, a text lights up the screen.
Brandon: Please, baby, can we talk. I miss you. Just pick up the phone, please.
Locking the screen, I slide the phone into my cup holder without responding.
I don’t have space in my life for the past. Not when my future is finally starting to take shape.
He needs to understand that we are over.
There’s nothing else to say, he showed me who he really is and I’m better off without him. I shake my head and focus on the road.
The drive into town is short; one of the perks of small-town living. The roads are nearly empty, and Christmas lights still hang across a few shop windows even though January is almost gone. Honey Springs does things on its own schedule, and honestly, I kind of love that.
When I pull into The Tavern’s parking lot, the glow from the inside windows makes the cold feel less sharp.
Laughter spills out when someone opens the door, and for a moment, I just sit there in my car, watching it all.
The twinkle lights strung outside, the group of friends clinking glasses inside, and the faint hum of music.
I finally grab my purse, fluff my hair in the mirror, and head inside. The warmth hits me instantly, along with the familiar scent of sweet bourbon, citrus, and whatever delicious thing the kitchen is working on tonight. I look around and see that the place is full.
Payton spots me first and waves wildly from a spot in the corner. “Eva!” she calls out with a grin.
Ashton is already on his feet, holding his arms out like I’m a long-lost sister returning from war. “Would you look at this goddess?” he says, pulling me into a hug. “Honey Springs is not ready.”
I laugh, squeezing him back. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you look amazing,” Payton adds, standing to give me a quick hug of her own. “Seriously. That top is doing the most in the best way.”
“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 edge to 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 owns Blush & 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?”
“Yes, please. Wings and fries.” Ashton smiles at me.
“Perfect.” Turning away, I walk toward the bar.
“Hey, Joy,” I say with a big smile. “You look fabulous tonight.”