Page 158 of Lucas

“He dropped me off at home and left. I’ll try calling him.”

“Okay, good. If you get a hold of him, tell him to call me back, please.”

“Will do.” I hang up.

It’s Lucas’s birthday today? My cheeks heat. That wholetime, the drive to the parrot sanctuary, the ride back. And he didn’t mention even once that it was his birthday.

I’m awful.

I dial him, but he doesn’t answer. Instead, I get a reply with a picture of a beer mug on a bar, gripped in Lucas’s hand. No text attached.

He went drinking? I zoom in on the image. Wait. I recognize that beer coaster. It’s Andy’s Pub. A pretty well-known place close to here. He must have stopped at the first place he saw on the way.

Within two minutes, I’m in my Jeep, headed there.

Chapter Forty

AVA

Ifind him easily, sitting at the bar. His broad frame stands out in the space. I walk in and take a seat beside him. He doesn’t even lift his head, his fingers spinning the glass on the counter.

“I’m taken,” he says without glancing up.

I smile, my heart swelling. “So am I.”

His head snaps up, and his eyes lock onto mine. “Ava,” he groans my name.

“What are you doing here, Lucas? This isn’t like you.”

“You don’t know what’s like me and what’s not.” He drops his gaze back to the glass.

“How much have you had to drink?”

“Enough. How did you find me?”

“I recognized the coaster from the picture you sent. So, this is how you choose to spend your birthday? Why didn’t you tell me it was your birthday?”

He shrugs. “I spent it with you. It was the best birthday of my life until you left.”

“I think we should get out of here,” I say in a low voice.

“Why? So I can lie in my bed alone again, staring at the ceiling, thinking about how I lost you? The best thing I ever had, and I lost you.” His eyes glisten in the dim light of the pub.

“Let’s go somewhere and talk about this.” I study his face. He looks tormented, and my heart aches for him.

“I tried everything. I don’t know what else to do.”

I flinch. It’s clear now that he’s drunk.

“I did everything to convince you to forgive me. Tell me what else to do. I’ll do whatever you want. Just tell me. I can’t go on like this.” He grips my arm.

The bartender approaches us. “Is everything okay, miss? Is he bothering you?”

I smile. “No, everything’s fine.”

“She’s my wife!” Lucas says, his voice cracking. “She’s mine. Leave us alone.”

The bartender laughs. “Your wife? You wish, buddy. She’s way out of your league.”