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“No way, you won’t.” Heather was busy grabbing the vodka and all the mixes. “If I do it, we can claim some ignorance. I don’t know what I’m doing, but if you do it, we’ll have to pay. Brandon doesn’t let his sister get free drinks, so shhh. Sit down. Let me fool around back here, at least for five minutes.”
“You make ’em, and we’ll squirrel them away in the back.”
That was a horrible idea.
Heather brightened up at Tasmin. “That’s a great idea!”
Tas beamed back. “I know. That’s why I’m here.”
Bren sighed.
Heather paused. “We know you’re worried. We know you’ve always felt like you needed to protect Ava, but I’ve known Ava and in some ways, more than you ever have. If there’s anyone tough enough to handle Zeke, it’s her. She has been through some extreme stuff, likeextremeextreme, and you’d never know it. She’s tough. Hella smart. Adaptable and she’ll outlast us all. That’s what I know about Ava. To me, it’s no wonder Zeke Allen fell in love with her. He was probably falling for her already back when you went to high school. I wouldn’t be shocked. He came in here sometimes by himself and sat in her spot, just so she’d be his waitress.”
“He did?” A warmth was spreading inside of me.
“He did. His boy was falling for his own shy girl at the time so who knows, maybe Zeke decided to take a back seat until everyone was okay, also something I wouldn’t be shocked about. For whatever reason, he decided to finally make his move. I’m happy for it. Happy for him. Happy for you. As long as he doesn’t fuck it up, I think both of you deserve some happy.”
I was blinking back tears. The warmth was spooning in my chest, making me smile like an idiot at her.
Taz sniffled. “That was the best speech.”
“Thank you.”
Taz leaned forward. “But you know what would’ve made it even better?”
Heather swore. “Gah. You’re right. Drinks.” She got to work, but eyed Bren as she did. “Sure you don’t want one?”
Bren shook her head. “I can’t. I—” She stopped herself, cursing under her breath. Her hand had been going to her stomach, and all of us figured out why.
“NO WAY!”
“OMG!” Taz was screaming.
Heather was screaming.
I was smiling and beaming, but still feeling my own happy. Heather ran around, hugging Bren, who cursed again, but nodded. She admitted, “No. I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I’m not pregnant. Just being cautious.” She fell quiet, but a little smile came out. “I didn’t mean to let it slip that way. We’ve been trying for another one.”
“Either way, I’m still happy. You guys are trying.”
They were hugging after that. The drinks got forgotten about, but I’d been pulled out of my own head enough where I could function.
I went back behind the bar and made up the drinks. Taz noticed what I was doing, and after thanking me, she began squirreling them to the back. By the time Derek showed up, I had everything restocked, but slipped enough cash into the till to pay for the drinks.
Heather and Bren had gone to the back. Taz grabbed the last drink and hurried behind them.
Derek stepped around me, frowning. “You okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Just life stuff. Thanks for filling in for me.”
“No problem, but you’re sure that you’re okay?”
My phone began ringing at that moment.Zeke calling.
I told Derek the truth, taking the call as I did, “Honestly? I’ve never been better.” And phone to my ear, I asked in a rush, “Are you okay?”
19
ZEKE
