Page 2 of Jordan’s Breakthrough (Unexpected Love #3)

I do. I’d given the Christmas cactus to her as a gift. “Like I said, plants require patience. And you, well…”

Piper shoves me. “Shut up.”

Seth calls through the screen door, “Food is ready.”

“Cool. Be right there.”

Piper grabs another canned margarita from the fridge, as well as some more beer. Then I pull the tray of toppings from the top shelf before we head outside.

Declan is licking his lips as he sets the tray of meat on the table. His red beard is thicker than usual, with streaks of gray coming in on the sides. His arms are more toned now, thanks to all the rock climbing he’s been doing with Seth. “This looks incredible, babe.”

Seth hums in delight.

We all sit down and load our plates with burgers, chips, and macaroni salad. I top the burger off with all the fixings: lettuce, tomato, onion, and every condiment available, including a big squirt of mustard. A guy can never have too much mustard.

Declan groans loudly after his first bite. “Oh, yeah. That’s the stuff!”

I roll my eyes. He acts like we haven’t experienced Seth’s magic a few times already. They invite us over at least once a month.

We eat in silence for a few minutes, surrounded by the warm breeze and fine mist. My muscles throb, and the thought of unloading the freight tomorrow makes it worse. But the hot food lifts my mood, or it tries to, anyway. The darkness still lingers. It always does.

“Hey, has anyone heard from Mel?” Declan asks, taking a bite of macaroni salad.

Piper gives him a look. “Yes, and everything’s running smooth. No reason to worry.”

Declan doesn’t reply.

Seth nudges him. “Relax, babe. The bar is in good hands.”

“I’m just not used to having so much time off.”

Piper snorts. “Preach!” We all laugh, then she adds, “I still think you did the right thing, though. Promoting Mel.”

Declan lifts his gaze. “Yeah?”

“Definitely.”

“Oh, I agree,” I say. “She’s been amazing.”

Declan offered Melody the full-time position after another full-time employee was let go.

Denny cost the bar thousands of dollars last fall when he failed to limit his customers’ alcohol intake.

They’d drunkenly climbed the sound system and caused severe damage to the stage.

It took months to get everything fully up and running again, and we lost revenue.

Melody was happy to have more hours, and even happier to be part of the crew. Within three months, Declan promoted her to front-end manager—a position he always wanted for me, but I had no interest in. All that paperwork? No thanks. She’s much better at the job, and she enjoys it.

“How’s Oliver doing?” Seth asks, referring to one of the new hires.

“Great. I really like the guy,” Piper says.

“I like him too. He’s great behind the bar and wicked fast. Plus, he brings in more tips than anyone with that sassy smile.”

Seth grins. “Good. Myka keeps asking about him.”

“Send her our thanks.”

Seth met Oliver through his boss, Myka, and encouraged him to apply. He’s the fifth new hire in two months. Just another sign of how much our small bar has grown. It’s amazing to finally have a full crew.

Before taking another bite, I say, “Graham would be proud of what you’ve done to the place, D. I hope you know that.”

Declan pauses at the unexpected praise. “Thanks, man.”

He had taken advantage of the forced remodel to make Graham’s Bar his own, but it hadn’t been without guilt.

He wanted to keep the bar true to Graham’s dream, and I can still see his late partner in it—in the line of collectible steins above the bar and the framed paintings Declan brought in from his house after we’d painted over the murals.

All those small things still nod at the former owner, but with the updated seating and modern colors, plus the music decor and neon lights, it feels much more like home to all of us. It suites our style.

It fits our customers better too, apparently. Business is booming.

“Hey, what are we doing for family day? Do you know yet?”

I freeze as all eyes turn toward me. Shit.

Since closing the bar on Mondays, Declan and Piper have declared the last Monday of the month to be “Family Day,” a day for the four of us to do something together.

I initially hated the idea, since we spend all of our time together at work anyway.

But deep down, it meant everything to me to be included in that.

Declan smirks. “You forgot, didn’t you?”

“No.” A total lie.

Piper laughs. “Whatever. You totally forgot.”

I duck my face. It’s not the first time I’ve forgotten.

“Hey, if you have nothing planned, we can always go climbing,” Seth suggests, sounding far too eager.

I point a mustard-coated finger at him. “We are not doing that.”

“Why not?”

I shake my head. “Just no.”

Climbing is all I hear about now. That, or some other adrenaline-fueled endeavor. When they aren’t working, they’re at the gym, paragliding, or hitting the trails on their bikes. Or worse, running. Like, who the fuck does that? Who runs for the fun of it?

I swear, they think exercise is the perfect date.

“I can reserve us some slots—” Seth tries again, but I cut him off.

“Nope! Don’t even try it.”

He laughs. “What do you have against climbing, anyway?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Something about falling from fifty feet up?”

Piper snorts. “It’s not that bad. I’ve gone with them. You’re hooked up to ropes and stuff. Totally safe. Plus, the coaches are all super sweet. You would like them.” Her eyes glint a little as she slants her head. “Actually, you know what, I think you might hit it off with one of them.

Declan’s brows pop up. “Who?”

“Holden.”

Declan considers it. “Yeah, I can see it.”

“We’re not climbing,” I say firmly. Knowing they want to set me up with a coach makes the decision final. I’ll never go there. “I’ll figure it out.”

“Okay. But it’s only a week away. You better plan fast.”

“Quinn and Ian are going to be here too,” Seth adds. “So count them in.”

“They are?”

“Yeah, they’re coming for a quick visit before Ian starts his next project.”

I inwardly groan. Great. Even more people to be around. I like the guys. I really do. But every person I’m expected to socialize with is another drain in my already low well.

“How are they liking their new jobs?” Piper asks.

“Oh, they’re loving it. Quinn is helping with the administrative side of the non-profit while he goes to school, and Ian is happy doing the hands-on stuff. Killing it too. You should see some of his latest projects.”

“I have. I follow him on Insta. They seem so happy together. Like, seriously so cute.”

Seth rolls his eyes. “Please don’t feed their egos. I really don’t like to think about it.” He perks up. “Oh! I forgot to tell you. I bought marshmallows this morning when I went to the store.”

Declan grins. “You did?”

“And graham crackers and chocolate.”

Declan leans over to kiss Seth. “Sounds like the perfect way to break in our new fire pit.”

“Exactly. What do you say, guys? Will you stay for some s’mores?”

“Hell ya!” Piper squirms. “I’m always down for those.”

After dinner, Seth clears the table while Declan splits wood to start a fire. We roast marshmallows until long after the sun sets. The warmth of the fire and comfort of my friends is enough to keep the worst of the depression away.

For now, anyway.

It’ll come crashing in as soon as I’m alone again. It always does.