Page 124 of Structure of Love

“I’ll shoot you the address to the shop.”

“Works for me.”

I left at that point, as Asher was right, we had a lot to do if we were going to squeeze in a shopping trip. I called my manager to tell her I’d be in later tonight, as I had to go ring shopping. She squealed so damn loud my eardrum nearly burst, so she was obviously thrilled I was getting my ass in motion, too. It felt exhilarating finally taking the next step. I’d dreamed so many times of proposing, each dream a different theme, but now that it was going to take shape? I couldn’t wait.

I wondered what style of ring Gage would like? Well, surely Asher would know.

That reminded me…What kind of proposal gift had Gage gotten me? Asher’s expression when telling me that hadn’t been completely trustworthy, which made me think it was something big.

Well, hopefully I’d find out soon.

39

Gage

At the beginning of November, Cooper’s cast came off. He’d gone through training while healing, completed the course with flying colors, and came through it a licensed bartender. The training program was the first thing he’devercompleted in his life, aside from rehab, much less done well at, and I was so proud of him I could burst.

Our parents were still no contact with us. Cooper wasn’t even tempted to text Mom his progress, which said a lot, as he used to tell her everything. While drunk, granted. Honestly, it was nice to have that silence from them. Liberating in the extreme. It let me focus on the people that really mattered. Like a certain sexy boyfriend.

Today, I had lunch at Blackbird. It would be the last day this location was open, as the new location would open next week. All employees were charged with helping move things over and set up over there, so the bar would be closed for a week. I felt it only right to have a last lunch and check in with Logan before the big move happened.

I sat at the bar, mostly so I could mess with Cooper. He’d been working a week now and was still getting the hang of things. It was the perfect time for his big brother to tease him.

I sat on the stool, beaming at him, and he stared at me with a resigned expression.

“Why the fuck are you here? You can’t drink while working anyway.”

“H2O, on the rocks.”

“You’re such a bastard,” he muttered, pouring me a water.

I cackled, taking the glass and not denying it. “Oh, and fish and chips.”

He shot me another look and rolled his eyes before submitting the order.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and found Logan standing right next to me.

“Well, hi there, handsome. Come here often?”

I fluttered my eyes at him, just to make him laugh. “For you, I sure will. Or would if you weren’t moving locations.”

Logan smacked a kiss on my mouth. “So who are you here for, me or little bro?”

“Little of both. I wanted to see how Cooper’s doing, but also how you’re doing, as I know you’re excited but nervous about moving locations.”

“It’s just so much to move.” Logan sighed. “Funny how things pile up after being in a location for a few years.”

“I hear that. I will help, y’know.”

“I know you will. Honestly, I’ll take all the help I can get. My concern is it’s a lot of fragile stuff. The liquor, the glasses, the dishes…So much can break. It’s all going to a place right down the street, so does that increase the odds of something breaking or lessen them?”

“I sure hope it’s the latter. Don’t overthink this, okay?”

“I’m trying.” Glancing at the other end of the bar, where Cooper was taking an order, he lowered his voice so only I could hear him. “Cooper’s actually doing quite well. He’s not overly patient with the drunks—”

Oh, now that was ironic, right there.

“—but otherwise, he’s working hard. I think he’s doing his best so he doesn’t let either one of us down. I’ve had no issues with the work he’s doing, and the rest of my employees have sort of taken him under their wing, showing him how to do new things. I think this is a great job for him. He’s good at it.”