Chapter 5 #2
She leans forward on the counter and grins. “Thanks, girl. You want something fruity?”
“Yes, please. I’m in the mood for something tropical. And can you send some wings and fries to our table? We’re starving.”
“You got it. I’ll make sure the kitchen gets it going. I’ll bring the food out to you when it’s ready,” she says, sliding a tall glass toward me. It’s filled to the brim with a colorful drink and topped with a slice of pineapple and a tiny umbrella.
I take a sip and close my eyes for a second. Perfect.
The Tavern is buzzing around us, soft music playing in the background while plates clink and people chat all around.
Our little booth feels like a bubble, a perfect mix of nostalgia and comfort.
The golden light hanging above us casts a soft glow on their familiar faces, and for a moment, everything feels just right.
“So,” Ashton leans in, wiggling his brows. “What about you, Miss Florida? What’s the latest gossip in your love life?”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, please. Let’s not even go there.”
“Oh, we’re definitely going there,” Payton says, raising a brow. “Spill. You and Mr. Lawyer still talking?”
I pause for a beat, feeling that now-familiar ache in my chest. “Nope. We ended things right before I moved here last week. It… it just wasn’t working.”
Ashton’s face softens. “I’m sorry, babe.”
Payton reaches over and squeezes my hand. “His loss. Seriously.”
“I know,” I say quietly. “It’s just weird, you know? We had all these plans, and now I’m here starting over… but I don’t know, it feels right. He’s been texting and calling, but I’ve been ignoring him.”
“You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be, he can fuck off.” For once, there’s no sass or humor in Ashton’s voice, just certainty.
I smile, grateful. “Thanks.”
We keep talking and eating once the food arrives, and I’m having so much fun, the kind of fun that fills your chest and makes you forget about everything else for a while.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch the tavern door swinging open, and in walk my brother—hand in hand with Josy. My smile stretches wide, automatic and full of love.
Ashton follows my gaze and does a dramatic double take. “Ugh, your brother is so handsome. And don’t even get me started on his friends. Like, where does he find sexy-as-hell men to hang out with? Is there a secret application process?”
“Right?” Payton chimes in, practically swooning. “They’re all fine as hell. I have to see them every day and I’m still not immune to their beauty. Even though I’m not interested, I can still appreciate the view.”
“You guys are so gross,” I say with a scrunched-up nose. “He’s my big brother. And his friends are not that hot.”
“Girl,” Ashton gives me a look. “Have you seen Austin and Esteban recently? Because let me tell you, they are all man now. And the years have been very kind to them.”
I shrug, grabbing a fry and popping it into my mouth. “I haven’t seen them in person in years. Just a few pictures here and there. But I guess since I grew up seeing them all the time, I never really noticed. They were just my big brother’s annoying friends.”
“Well, hopefully they show up tonight,” Ashton says with a grin. “Because I could use a little eye candy. I’ve had a rough week.”
Just then, Noah spots me and makes his way over, still holding Josy’s hand. They both look so happy, it makes something soft twist inside my chest.
“Hey,” I say, standing to give them both a quick hug. “Y’all look so cute.”
Josy laughs and squeezes me. “You’re glowing, Eva. It’s so good to see you relaxed.”
“I’m trying,” I smile. “Tonight’s been good for my soul.”
Noah glances around the table, giving friendly nods to my friends. “Glad to see you made it out. I figured you could use some fun after the week you’ve had.”
Before I can respond, three more figures walk in, and the energy in the room shifts just a little. I glance up—and yep. There they are.
Austin walks in first. He’s tall and lean, built like a swimmer, with sandy blond hair and a perfect five o’clock shadow that looks like it was painted on. He’s all effortless cool in a Henley and jeans.
Next to him is Violet, his wife. She’s gorgeous in a soft, sunlit kind of way. Curvy, with long blond hair that falls in waves down her back, and a smile that makes you want to tell her your secrets. She waves when she spots us, her eyes lighting up.
And then there’s—
Holy. Shit.
Esteban Báez walks in like he owns the place, or like the air bends a little around him just to make room.
He’s taller than Austin by a few inches, broad-shouldered, wearing fitted jeans and a plain white T-shirt that somehow looks like it was tailored for his body.
His dark blond hair is styled in that perfectly messy way that guys try to fake but never quite pull off.
And the beard? Full, groomed, and criminally sexy.
His bright green eyes sweep the room, and when they land on me, my breath stutters.
Ashton, sitting directly across from me, follows my line of sight and smirks knowingly. He doesn’t say anything, probably because my brother is still standing right here, but the look on his face says everything.
The trio makes their way over, and the greetings begin.
Austin is the first to reach me, wrapping me in a big hug and lifting me slightly off the ground like he used to when we were younger. “Look at you! It’s so good to see you again. Welcome home, troublemaker.”
I laugh as he sets me down. “It’s been forever. You look the same, just maybe with broader shoulders.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he smirks, stepping aside as the woman next to him beams at me.
“You must be Eva,” she says warmly, reaching out for a quick hug. “I’m Violet, Austin’s better half.”
Her smile is open and kind, and there’s an instant ease about her that makes me like her immediately. “It’s so nice to finally meet you! I’ve heard good things.”
“All true, I’m sure,” she grins, nudging Austin playfully.
Then Esteban steps up and everything in me goes a little still.
He’s taller than I remember, with a quiet intensity that draws every eye without him even trying. His green eyes lock onto mine, and for a beat, the noise of the tavern fades into nothing.
“Eva Ross,” he says, voice smooth and deep, like it’s been aged to perfection. “Look at you.”
“Hi, Esteban,” I say, hoping I sound casual, but the breathlessness in my voice betrays me.
He grins, slow and self-assured, like he knows exactly what he's doing to my nervous system. “It’s been a long time.”
Too long, I think—but I don’t say it. Because right now, all I can do is stare.
And the way he’s looking at me? It’s not the way you look at your best friend’s little sister. It’s the way a man looks when he’s seeing a woman for the very first time.
And suddenly, I can’t quite remember how to breathe.