Chapter 6
Luke
On my way to Logan’s, my mind buzzed with the endless to-do list for our upcoming product launches.
I loved my job, and I was damn good at it.
I just needed to compartmentalize. The exercise helped, either by letting me forget for a moment or by giving me a fresh perspective.
Exercise helped. Whether it gave me a brief escape or a fresh perspective, it did the trick.
I was leaving the gym, my mental checklist still vivid in my mind, when a ringtone interrupted my thoughts.
I sighed at the caller ID: Mom. I pressed Ignore, choosing not to let it spoil my evening.
Recently, her calls had become more persistent, and I wasn’t in the mood for it tonight.
Just like I wasn’t in the mood for the gym receptionist’s constant attempts to hook up with me.
Her desperation was palpable, and not in a good way.
I stopped by the store for a bottle of wine, and an hour later, I was standing at Logan’s door.
Ding dong!
The door swung open, and Norah greeted me with a warm smile.
“Hey, gorgeous, how are you?” I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Great! Come on in, it’s been a while. I missed you.”
“You know me, workaholic, but who am I talking to?! Your husband is no better.”
“True.”
As I walked in, I could already hear Ethan and Logan’s voices. On the patio, my favorite people—Alex, Ava, Ethan, Summer, and Logan—sat on the couch debating who would crack first if we got high and a cop stopped us. At least, that’s what I caught from snippets of the conversation.
“Ethan, for sure,” Summer said without hesitation, and everyone burst out laughing. Except Ethan, of course.
“How do you figure that?” he asked, clearly offended.
“It’s not Logan—he’s trained for stressful, illegal situations.
Alex smoked all through college, so he’s used to that.
I can out-smoke you any time of the day, and Ava and Norah would flirt their way out since we’d all be stopped together,” Summer declared, sipping her wine and smiling warmly at her husband.
“Listen, if necessary, I can disguise myself. I’ll just blend in with the group. Become invisible to the naked eye.”
“Yeah, to a blind person maybe,” Logan added.
I stepped through the patio door, and everyone greeted me.
“What about Luke?” he said, pointing at me as if he had a solid defense. “Last time he got high, he tried to convince the whole building that someone was out to get him. Full-on paranoia.”
“Hey, man, I had thirteen missed calls from your sister that I didn’t see until the next day—so technically, I wasn’t wrong. Someone was after me,” I fired back.
The girls burst out laughing while I looked around for something to open the bottle. Norah beat me to it, walking out of the kitchen with a glass and a corkscrew in hand.
“Thanks,” I said, winking at her before pouring a glass and sinking into the absurdly comfortable couch. After all that running, I knew I’d feel sore tomorrow, but the couch felt like heaven.
Logan and Norah’s place had a rustic charm, even though it sat in the heart of the city.
Walking inside felt like escaping to a cozy farmhouse or mountain lodge.
Wooden furniture, exposed stone, and wide windows overlooking a pond gave it that special feel.
It was all Norah’s touch. Logan couldn’t decorate to save his life.
My favorite part was her studio, with a tall, vintage bookcase that climbed to the ceiling and plants cascading off the shelves. We’d marked many birthdays and milestones in this house. Created memories. It always felt like home.
“Hey, Williams mentioned you got an offer from another company and might take it. He asked me to convince you to stay,” Logan announced casually for everyone to hear, shifting the conversation.
“What?” Ava exclaimed, thrilled like any good friend would be hearing exciting news.
“WHAT???” Alex shouted, far less happy. The contrast was glaring.
“You’re leaving just as I’m getting promoted to work with you, you big dildo?”
“Calm down, Alexandro.” In college, I’d caught Alex watching El Zorro, la Espada y la Rosa, and ever since, his occasional dramatic flair earned him the nickname.
“I’m not leaving. At least, I don’t think so. I got an offer, that’s it. No idea how Williams found out, but he called me in and offered me a raise.”
Alex’s frown eased, as did his flared nostrils.
“I told him I’d decide by the end of the week. I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t planning on leaving.”
“Still, getting scouted by competitors is worth celebrating,” Ethan said, ever the annoyingly cheerful one.
“Williams must be sweating,” Logan added. “The firm is launching new products soon. It’s not the time to lose our top sales guy.”
I wasn’t shy. I knew my strengths, and I was good at what I did.
Williams likely knew that too and understood I wouldn’t stay in a place that didn’t value me.
Yes, loyalty was one of the most important things for me, but when it came to my goals, I was very persistent.
If I weren’t happy with my job, I’d use every resource available to change the situation instead of staying stuck, complaining about life, my boss, or colleagues. I refused to be trapped.
“Then let’s raise a glass to companies trying to steal one of us because he’s one of the best,” Ava said, lifting her glass with a cheer. Everybody chimed in.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket again.
Unease crept in. Childhood memories of my parents’ endless disputes over dividing or settling things flooded my mind, stirring a wave of anger and exhaustion.
Adults acting like children. The irony of being stuck in this guilt-filled threesome with them wasn’t lost on me.
I silenced my phone, deciding that everyone I cared to talk to was already on this couch.
“Hey, you okay?” Norah asked as she sat down on the couch.
“Yeah, the usual. Anyway, Logan mentioned you girls have a plan for the trip. Do tell,” I said, steering the conversation away.
“Nothing fancy. We thought some structure might help this time—surfing, sightseeing, zip-lining,” Norah replied. I shuddered at the last one.
“...maybe trick Ethan into eating weed gummy bears and watch him freak out when he sees the police. You know, some fun stuff,” Ava added, tossing cheese into her mouth.
“But we might hit some language barriers,” Norah continued, ignoring Ava.
“What do you mean?” They speak English in Portugal.”
“In bigger cities and touristy spots, sure. A third of the country speaks it, but smaller towns could be tricky.”
We talked for hours, jumping from topic to topic—past trips, work updates, a little politics, family dramas, and everything in between.
This place had always been where all my troubles seemed to fade and the hours slipped by unnoticed, where every worry in the world felt less sharp and the air around me was quietly comforting.
I looked up to see the girls gathered around the wooden kitchen table, deep in conversation, wine glasses in hand, so I wandered over.
“Hello, ladies,” I said, leaning on the counter. “What’s tonight’s hot topic?”
“Marlene and her new boyfriend. They’re adorable,” Summer replied. My interest immediately dropped.
“Marlene? The one who chews like a wood chipper and has seen every cop show ever made?”
“Yep. She met the most perfect guy,” she said, with a flicker of pride.
“Oh? And what does this dream man do?” I asked, lowering my voice.
“He’s...” she paused, “in the police academy.”
“I rest my case.”
“That doesn’t mean she doesn’t love him,” she argued.
“No, it just means he’s checking a box on her fantasy list. She probably wouldn’t even notice him if he worked retail. And when he finally hears that buzzsaw chewing, it’s over.”
“That’s awful. You just hate love,” Norah said.
I widened my eyes, faking hurt.
“Ladies, I’m wounded. I don’t hate love. Look at us—I love all of you,” I said, pulling Ava and Norah in, as they rolled their eyes.
“Oh, by the way, Luke, there’s this girl at my gym who’d actually be perfect for you.” My brief moment of peace vanished. I gave them a look of humorous disappointment.
“She’s gorgeous, super funny, loves to travel,” Ava added.
“Oh, Amber?” Norah jumped in. “She’s amazing. You have to go out with her.”
Suddenly, all three were talking over each other, building my imaginary love life.
I felt my patience slipping. If anyone else tried setting me up, I would politely tell them to leave me the fuck alone; it wasn’t that simple with these three. They were like my family, but every time we got together, it was the same.
Luke, you should meet my friend/colleague/gym buddy/cousin. Every. Damn. Time. They meant well, but their good intentions didn’t align with mine. Maybe it was the conversation or the wine, but I snapped.
“I’ve kind of already met someone,” I said. A complete lie.
“What?”
“Yeah, I mean, we’re not official, but there’s something there,” I added, digging in. Idiot. But it was too late now.
“Well,” Summer said, eyes narrowing, “tell us about her.”
“About who?” Alex and Ethan appeared out of nowhere. Of course.
“Luke says he has met a girl he likes,” Ava pressed.
The moment I glanced at the guys, I saw it—they knew the truth. And they were going to use it.
“Well, damn Luke, do tell.” Alex smiled in victory as I mentally hurled daggers at him.
“Yeah, was it that girl from the coffee place?” Ethan added.
They were enjoying this way too much. Bastards. I’m gonna kill them.
“What was her name?” Don’t. I silently threatened. “Hazel?” Alex grinned wider. My grip on the table tightened as the girls erupted in delighted screeches all over the room.
“What’s she like?” Ava teased, and somehow the vibe shifted from a chill hangout to a high school gossip session.
“I’m not gonna tell you shit.”
Logan wandered over, catching the buzz. “What’s going on?”
“Luke’s got a girl named Hazel, but he’s not telling us anything,” Ava declared.