Page 75 of Threads That Bind Us

“Gwen, my favorite ginger,” Catalina sings, leaning over the bar to pinch my cheeks. “You’ve brought an angel into my bar with you. Did you know that?”

I warned Kenzie about Sammy and Cat’s energy, so she just smiles and holds her hand out.

“Nice to meet you, Catalina. I’m Kenzie.” Her voice is higher than usual, a faint blush creeping over her tanned cheeks.

I elbow her in the side as she and Cat exchange greetings, but she ignores me.

“Where’s our gloomy, mysterious asshole?” Cat asks, opening the dishwasher below her and drying glasses. I roll my eyes, and Kenzie laughs.

“He’s in a little bit of trouble,” Kenzie says, and I throw her a look.

“He’s not introuble. I’m not his mother or his teacher,” I grumble, picking at the coaster in front of me. “I’m upsetbecause he kept some important things from me, and I’m giving him space to figure out how to fix it.”

“Oh, how very mature of you,” Cat teases, stacking glasses on a tall shelf.

While her back is turned, Kenzie raises her eyebrows at me and mouthsoh my godbefore swiveling back to stare at Cat. I can’t exactly blame her.

“I’m pissed, but notleave himpissed,” I say.

I don’t tell them I don’t even know if leaving him is an option at this point. Even if I wanted to, I’d be followed by The Syndicate for the rest of my life. More troubling, I’d be haunted by the memory of Charlie—his soft touches and gentle support, the way he kisses me like it’s a gift and fucks me like it’s his job. There’s no point in pretending I’d be willing to give him up for something he can fix.

“You two want a drink?” Cat asks, and we both order light ciders since it’s admittedly barely after breakfast on a weekday. “Has he appropriately groveled yet?”

“Oh, yes,” Kenzie cries, smacking her hand on the bartop and jolting a few of the other patrons. “Groveling is key.”

“I don’t want him togrovel,” I say, gulping down half my drink. That statement is half true. I don’t want him to grovel in this specific situation. Although, I can think of a few situations where some significant begging would be acceptable. “I want him to explain himself, and then tell me exactly what changes he’s going to make to ensure I’m not caught off guard like this again.”

“Boring,” Kenzie grumbles, and Cat laughs, making Kenzie’s face light up.

“The center of my universe, here behind this bar,” Sammy’s voice calls out as appears from the back office. He sweeps Cat up and peppers kisses up and down her jaw while she giggles.

I see Kenzie visibly deflate next to me, but as soon ashe releases Cat, Sammy immediately turns to us, dropping his elbows on the bartop and his chin into his hands right in front of my best friend.

“My god, you’re an absolute showstopper,” Sammy says, smiling at Kenzie. Her eyes flash to Cat, who’s already pouring Kenzie another drink—bless her. “Catalina, my love, tell me you’ve already offered her my hand in marriage.”

Kenzie blinks rapidly, and Cat grabs Sammy by the arm, chastising him for shockingthe pretty angelinto speechlessness.

“I told you. They’reopen,” I whisper to my friend while Sammy’s distracted by Catalina.

“I thought you meant they liked to talk or something,” Kenzie replies, her eyes wide with interest.

“Sorry, should have been more clear,” I mumble as Cat winks at Kenzie. She doesn’t seem to mind the misunderstanding, though, especially with Cat looking at her like that.

“My muse tells me we’re upset with Carlo,” Sammy breaks in, passing me and Kenzie our refills, even though Kenzie’s glass is still nearly full.

“We’re upset with a decision Carlo made, not with the man himself,” I say.

“That’s a very responsible way to think about fighting with someone you love,” Sammy replies.

I haven’t said it out loud. But even hearing it in Sammy’s voice isn’t shocking or scary. It feels like I’ve thought it a thousand times before.

“Oh my god, does she love him?” Kenzie asks, dropping her drink on the counter and staring at Sammy like he knows better than I do.

Cat scoffs, still drying and stacking glasses.

“Of course she loves him. And before you ask, he loves her too. He loved her all the way back in February,” she declares,like she’s some sort of expert on the inner workings of both of our hearts.

“Gwen deserves that wholelove at first sightthing,” Kenzie says, mostly to Cat. But Sammy’s eyes are on me, probably wondering if I’m about to deny it.