We fall into our meals, conversation flowing as easily as the wine—writing, work, Maeve’s stories from the physio room with the team. Everyone here feels so established, so certain. It makes me wonder where I’ll land when my degree is done. What my life will actually look like?
Will Tuck be in it?
Stop thinking about him.
I’m just finishing the last bite on my plate when my phone buzzes in my purse. I ignore it. It buzzes again. Then it rings. And rings. A small knot tightens low in my stomach.
“Excuse me,” I say, pushing my chair back slightly. “Must be some sort of emergency.” I give a light laugh. “Maybe Josh can’t find the latest batch of cinnamon rolls.”
A ripple of laughter moves around the table, but my pulse ticks up as I glance at the screen.
Tuck.
My smile falters. Why would he be calling?
“It’s Tuck,” I murmur, more to myself than anyone else. I swipe to answer, my eyes lifting—and catching on Declan’s just long enough for something unspoken to pass between us.
“Hello?”
“Maria, I’m sorry to be calling during your dinner.”
Something in his voice—tight, controlled—slices straight through me. My spine straightens. “What’s going on?”
“First, let me say Lucas and Josh are fine.”
The words should settle me. They do the opposite. I’m already on my feet, my chair scraping against the floor. “Where are they?”
“They’re with me. They’re safe, but…they were in an accident.”
The room tilts, sound draining away until there’s nothing but the rush of blood in my ears.
“An accident?” The word barely makes it past my lips. I grip the table. Maeve is beside me now, her hand hovering near my arm, her expression full of concern.
“Lucas went off the road in the rain,” Tuck says. “They hit a lamppost, but they’re okay. The car’s being towed, and I’ve got them here at my place.” He pauses, softer now. “They’re okay, Maria. Just shaken up.”
I press a hand to my chest, trying to steady the frantic beat of my heart. They’re okay. They’re okay.
“Okay,” I breathe. “I’m on my way.”
“You don’t have to rush,” he says gently. “They’re a little rattled, but otherwise fine. They actually asked if they could stay the night. I think they want to be with Marbles. Is that all right with you?”
My heart is still racing, still trying to catch up to the fear that hasn’t fully left my body.
“Tuck, you don’t have to keep them there,” I say, already reaching for my coat. “I’ll come get them.”
“I’ll drive you,” Tanner says, already tugging on his jacket.
He’d given me a lift here, and the last thing I want is to drag him away early, but I barely get a shake of my head out before he’s flagging down the server for the bill.
“I’ve got this,” Declan says smoothly, pushing to his feet. His gaze finds mine, and I see the deep concern. “You guys go.”
“I’ll get the next one,” Tanner tosses over his shoulder as he moves around the table, coming to stand close, like he’s worried I might crumple.
“Thank you,” I tell him softly. “Tuck, I’m on my way.” Before Tuck can protest, I end the call just as Declan steps in, handing me my purse.
“Get home safely,” he says, his fingers closing briefly around mine. I nod, swallowing past the tightness in my throat. “Thanks for coming out tonight.”
“It was lovely,” I manage, and I mean it, even if it now feels like it happened hours ago, in a completely different life.
