Before I could answer, Janine cut in smoothly. “Oh, he can leave.”
“It’s a slow night anyway,” she added, far too brightly. “We’re closing soon, and I’ve got everything covered.”
The glare I sent her would have meant more if I wasn’t still trying to recover from the shock of seeing Lynn and Glen standing in front of me.
Janine didn’t so much as blink. If anything, she looked pleased with herself.
Across from us, Lynn and Glen exchanged an excited look that made my stomach drop in the most helpless way.
“So that’s a yes!” Lynn exclaimed.
I exhaled slowly as I watched the evening slip completely out of my control, realizing there was no version of this where I stayed behind.
A few minutes later, I found myself stepping out onto the sidewalk, the evening air cooler against my skin than I expected.
Before I could even gather my thoughts, Lynn pulled me into another hug. It hit harder than the first one, enough that it knocked the breath clean out of me.
I stiffened on instinct, then let it go and hugged her back properly, really holding on this time. Something in my chest loosened at that.
I’d told myself I was fine. That I was busy. That I’d see them all at the wedding anyway.
But standing there with Lynn holding on like she had no intention of letting go, and Glen watching with that familiar crooked grin, I realized I’d missed them more than I’d let myself admit.
“I hate you,” Lynn said into my shoulder. “Why don’t you ever call?”
“I did call.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“I talked to Glen.”
She pulled back just enough to jab a finger lightly against my chest. “You only talk to Glen.”
Beside us, Glen looked unbearably pleased with himself. “He just likes me better.”
Lynn smacked him hard on the shoulder. The laugh that came out of me surprised me, slipping out before I could stop it.
It felt easy. Too easy, and it caught me off guard. It had been a long time since anything had felt like that.
Maybe because it reminded me of a version of my life I’d spent years quietly moving away from.
Or maybe because, despite everything, being with them still felt familiar in a way I hadn’t fully realized I’d missed.
“Seth?”
Every muscle in my body locked at the familiar voice behind me.
In the chaos of Lynn and Glen showing up, I’d completely lost track of the time.
It was Tuesday, and on Tuesdays, almost without fail, Dane came in about an hour before closing, usually for discounted pastries and a coffee before heading home.
Slowly, I turned around.
Dane stood a few feet away on the sidewalk, one hand shoved into the pocket of his jacket. Dane frowned as his gaze moved between me and the two strangers standing nearby.
Unfortunately, Glen and Lynn had already turned to look at him, curiosity already written across their faces.
Before either of them could say anything, I crossed the distance between us.
