Chapter Forty. Group Breakfast
Chapter Forty
GROUP brEAKFAST
The next morning, Danny brought everyone to Beau’s before opening, and to their shock, he took off for the kitchen, intent on actually cooking for them.
In his absence, Cam watched the others, laughing as Morgan made herself at home behind the bar.
Despite bringing along the ingredients, she insisted on using the restaurant’s tools to make the world’s fanciest grocery store mimosas.
But once the drinks were distributed and Danny returned to the group, a tray of breakfast food in tow, they were joined by one other. A shockingly well-rested Cory entered Beau’s, a walking snapshot of their university years in an Adams College Mustangs sweatshirt.
Everyone gasped and jumped to their feet, shouting “CORY!” in unison.
Joining their table, Cory said, “You didn’t think I would miss Group Breakfast, did you?”
Drew shrugged. “I did. You got married yesterday. Why the hell are you with us?”
“We don’t leave for Turks and Caicos until tomorrow,” Cory explained, accepting a freshly made mimosa from Morgan, “and Tabby’s at a bridal shower breakfast with her family.
I was politely told it was ladies only. So, I could spend my morning with you guys or my family and …
after months of wedding planning, that decision was easy. ”
As Danny handed out plates of food, Morgan asked, “Bridal shower? Aren’t those done before the wedding?”
“Usually, but Tabby’s grandmother was recovering from surgery for most of the summer, so they waited.” Cory accepted a plate from Danny with a thank-you. “Which, no complaints since I get to see you four. Rumor has it Danny Brennan cooked. Like, turned on a stovetop and everything.”
Danny laughed and sat beside Cam. “We’re glad you’re here. And yes, matter of fact, I did cook. And I did so without igniting a waffle maker”—he looked at Drew—“or managing to fill the sink with every dish in the kitchen”—then Cam—“or panicking about the wrong kind of butter in the fridge, and—”
“Okay!” Morgan interrupted. “We promised never to bring up the butter incident.”
Drew snorted, nearly choking on his mouthful of eggs. “No, Morgs, we did not. You begged, but I think it’s fair game.”
“Fair game?” she snapped. “Your first time cooking, we had to evacuate our apartment building! Our neighbors called us Burnt Waffles for months.”
“I mean, I can think of worse nicknames. You remember my freshman roommate, Jeremiah?”
Cory laughed into his drink. “You mean Dick Cheese?”
Drew threw his hands up. “Point made!”
“Gross!” Morgan cried. “Can we please talk about something other than Drew’s roommate who didn’t shower?”
As they chattered on, Cam embraced the moment. She couldn’t believe the people she loved most were back together. Even if they got married or moved abroad, they were still friends, tied together by the best memories of a college experience so perfect it felt like it was written for the big screen.
And it might’ve come four years too late, but they were finally having one last Group Breakfast between the five of them.
Except Cam desperately hoped it wouldn’t actually be the last.
“We’ve heard all about Cory and the honeymoon plans,” Morgan said, “so now, I want to hear what’s next for our dearest Cam.”
With all eyes on her, Cam replied, “Drew was so amazing and helped me interview for an open role at Farley. I got an offer but…” She turned to Drew. “I’m going to decline it. I’m sorry.”
Drew choked on his mimosa. “What? Why?”
“Because I decided I’m staying with Danny in Elswick. I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time. Maybe ever.” She smiled at Danny, mesmerized by how he toyed with the ends of her hair. “I’m done with full-time corporate bullshit. I’m going to help with Beau’s and I’m going to write.”
And writing she was, having almost reached her desired word count for her first book. Her manuscript would need lots of work before it was ready for any next steps, but she was excited for where it was.
“Wow, and here I was looking forward to having someone in Boston.” Drew pouted. “I guess I’m stuck making the drive here.”
Danny rolled his eyes. “This is your third time here this summer, and I’d bet a lot of money you’ll be back for Labor Day.”
Drew grinned. “You got me! What can I say? The brisket tacos are killer.”
Cam was happy Drew didn’t seem bothered by her decision, but she still felt awful.
“I’m sorry you went through all that effort for me to decline,” she explained to him.
“And … I know I can’t fully quit my usual work.
But … I want flexibility. Ideally freelancing or contract work.
Copy writing, social strategy … I can do whatever as long as it’s part-time and remote. ”
“One of our clients is looking for a part-time copywriter. I can put in a good word for you.”
“Really? That would be amazing!”
Morgan whistled. “Since when are you so connected?”
“Since always!” Drew winked. “Don’t act so surprised.”
“Cam, this is amazing news,” Cory said. He looked between her and Danny. “I’m happy for you two.”
“Thanks, Cory. You and Tabby will have to visit too,” Danny replied. “We’ll go crazy if it’s only Drew showing up on a monthly basis.” He stood and added, “Speaking of which. With everyone together again, I’d love for you all to try some of my beer.”
A few minutes later, Danny returned with a tray of five pints. He handed the glasses off, flushed with excited energy. Cam grinned, delighted to see him in his element. Whenever he was happy, her heart soared.
“We can thank Great-Great-Great-Grandpa Eamon for this particular recipe,” Danny explained, “but I would’ve never touched it, or brewed any beer for that matter, without Uncle Beau. I … wouldn’t be who I am today without Uncle Beau.”
“To Uncle Beau!” Drew cried, holding his pint in the air. After everyone joined his toast, he downed half the drink. “Give me a foam finger, dude. I’m in! Just let me know when I can buy this shit.”
“Same.” Cory laughed. “I’m a fan.”
Morgan tucked blonde hair behind her ear, eyeing the pint. “I like it, but it’s super different than the Danish beers I’m used to—”
“Morgan, we love you,” Cam interrupted, “but I think I speak for all of us when I say we’ve hit our peak listening to your dissertations on Danishes and the Copenhagen beer scene.”
“They’re not Danishes, they’re—”
“Vienna bread,” they said in unison.
“You all suck—”
As Morgan ranted, Danny jumped to his feet. “Milly, can you help me grab some refills for everyone?”
With a nod, she followed him into the kitchen. Once the door swung shut, he walked her into the wall and kissed her. She laughed, throwing her arms around his neck.
“What’s this for?” she asked, batting her eyelashes.
“For being so fucking beautiful.”
“Shut up.” She hugged him, burying her face in his chest. Despite her overwhelming joy, one nagging anxiety remained. “Are you really okay with me staying? We’ll basically be living together.”
“This summer, I wanted you to rest. To fix your wings and fly when you were ready. But … I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t hoping you’d decide to stay here. With me and Reggie.”
“You both are pretty incredible,” she teased. “I do have one request, though.”
“Anything.”
“Can I move into your bed?”
Danny laughed. “You don’t have to ask. But for the record, of course you can. That’s a dream come true.”
“Good. I’m pretty sure we broke mine.” She played with the strings of his sweatshirt. “I don’t think it was designed to support two people going at it.”
“Cam!” He groaned. “You’re gonna get me hard with our friends out there.”
“Okay, disgusting,” Esme announced, strolling in through the back door. Ahead of her, she pushed a hand truck stacked with cardboard boxes. “Is this what I’m going to be punished with from now on?”
Cam scoffed. “You dragged me into a sex shop to buy your boyfriend a cock ring. Don’t talk to me about punishment!”
“She did what for what?” Danny echoed from behind her.
Esme rolled her eyes and to Danny said, “Well, I guess this means Corporate Camille finally pulled her head out of her ass.”
“Just like you said she would,” he replied, grinning.
Cam looked between them. “You talked about me?”
Danny shrugged, his cheeks back to sunburn red. Meanwhile, Esme sliced open the top box, unbothered. “Of course we talked about you. And I guess this cozy little moment means you’re staying in Elswick?”
“I am. I love it here too much. I love him too much.”
“Then for the first time in my life, I was wrong. Corporate Camille really was ready for change.” Esme pulled out a sunrise orange T-shirt, and added, “Well, I guess I can’t call you that anymore.”
“Cam will do.”
“Okay, Cam, our T-shirts arrived.” Esme tossed a pair at her and Danny. “Just in time for your intimate little meal with your college besties.”
Cam took a moment to admire the T-shirt, electrified from seeing the sketches come to life. Every detail from Axel’s drawing was there. The new Beau’s logo on the backside, the little blackbird perched atop a surfboard, a rising sun peeking over the front pocket …
She could already see the T-shirts hanging behind the bar. She imagined them selling out over Labor Day weekend, being worn by loyal customers on social media, and most importantly, helping to fund life-changing benefits for the incredible staff.
“We need to get a picture of everyone wearing them,” she said to Danny, already slipping hers over her tank top. “We can hang it up on the wall. This place is covered in pictures of Beau. Now, it’s time to cover it in pictures of you.”
Danny glanced at the T-shirt, smiling as brightly as the illustration of the sun. “Yeah. I like that.”
After grabbing shirts for their friends, they returned to the dining room, an indifferent Esme on their heels. “Change in plans,” Esme announced. “Danny wants me to take a picture of you five.”
One by one, Esme handed out the shirts. Morgan’s was set on her lap, Drew’s was thrown at his face, and Cory’s was dangled in the air. “Hey, hot stuff,” Esme teased. “Where’s the Mrs.?”
“Oh, that’s not fair,” Drew cried, as Cory took the T-shirt with a laugh. “You have never flirted with me, but the married man is on the table?”
Esme looked Cory up and down, smirking. “On the table? Sure.”
It took some time—especially with Drew complaining and Cory laughing—but Cam was able to wrangle the five of them onto the deck.
In their matching T-shirts, they lined up against the railing, posing for pictures.
Esme grabbed a couple of normal shots, and then, at Morgan’s insistence, they mirrored their graduation photoshoot.
Cam couldn’t wait to print the photos. Couldn’t wait to see them decorate the walls of Beau’s, along with an endless supply of future memories. Danny would star in every picture, the main character of a beautiful story.
With the love of her life and her best friends beside her, Cam made the most of that Group Breakfast.