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“Something like that,” he agrees, but his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Two o’clock, they said, and I don’t want you getting home alone.”
“I’m really sorry, I can’t go,” Ezra says. “I’ve got a late start today and it’s too short notice to reschedule my clients.”
“That’s fine,” I quickly reassure him. I shouldn’t have gotten so ahead of myself without checking. “I should wait for Sawyer anyway.” I’m gutted, having no idea when his father will be feeling up to it again. The waitress brings our drinks over, and Nico is engrossed in his phone while we pass them round.
“I’ll take you,” Nico says as I take a long sip of my milkshake.
“Huh?”
“To Sawyer’s parents’ place.” I frown slightly. How can he cover my shift and drive me there?
“I still have work.”
“Celeste is going to cover.”
“Since when?”
“Since I asked her to.”
“But—”
“Harlow, it’s done. Just say okay,” he smiles. “You clearly want to go, and I want to say thanks for having me stay.”
“You mean forcing you to sleep on my sofa.”
“Same thing,” he says, smile growing.
“Are you sure?” I know it’s a lot, but he is offering, and I really do want to go.
“Yep.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” I double-check with Sawyer.
“Of course not. You’re family. You’ve seen my parents loads of times alone.”
“I know.” I also know he’ll be gutted to miss out. The food arrives, and we chat easily before we’re getting ready to leave. I excuse myself to the toilet before our drive, and as I’m on my way back, someone spins away from the counter to face me as I head toward them.
“Hey, sweetheart.” I smile politely without replying and go to walk around him, but he stands up off his stool to block my way. The distinctive sound of chairs scraping against the floor comes from behind him, but he doesn’t seem to notice or register why.
“Can I buy you—”
“No.” He spins to face whoever answered and comes face-to-face with a simmering Ezra.
“I didn’t even finish my sentence.”
“Doesn’t matter, the answer is no.” The guy thankfully holds his hands up and sits back onto his stool.
“Alright, I didn’t realize she was spoken for. Protective one there, love,” he says to me. “Or do they come as a pack?” For the first time, I notice the other two standing further back, waiting to back Ezra, and my chest warms at their bromance. Nico fits in with them both so easily, and they’re already ready to protect each other. Plus, they evenlookgood together. Individually, they’d easily be any girl’s fantasy. Together, they are undoubtedly mine.
