Page 68 of Never Say Never

But I have a feeling deep down in my gut that it won’t be the case.

TWENTY-FIVE

ENJOY WHAT’S MINE

Tucker

“How’s it going with Daisy?” Jake and I are sitting at the bar, waiting for the others while Daisy, Briar and Everly are in the restroom.

“She’s perfect.”

Jake makes a big show of looking shocked. Head tilted backwards, a smile on his face like he’s just witnessed the birth of Jesus Christ himself.

“You act like a moron sometimes,” I say before taking a sip of my scotch.

“I just never thought I’d see the day. Can it be real? Tucker Collins is finally settling down?”

“You’re hilarious,” I mutter. “Butyoushould probably settle down. I’m happy and I’m committed, but it’s not like I’m proposing.”

“Yet.”

I raise my brows with a smirk from behind my rocks glass.

“What’s going on with Holden and Aubrey?”

I grimace. “He didn’t tell you?”

“I haven’t seen him, but I’ve heard rumblings that things aren’t going well.”

“They broke up.”

Jake throws me a curious look. “I’m not surprised. Seems like things have been bad for a while. How’s he taking it?”

“I’m honestly not sure. He’s hardly ever home.”

“Sounds sus.”

Just then, the girls return from the restroom. Daisy comes to stand next to me at the bar and I slip my arm around her waist. We hear a burst of noise at the front of the restaurant and look to see Grayson and Sierra, Beckett and Jules and Holden crowding into the restaurant foyer.

I raise a hand in greeting, and they all come meet us at the bar before we’re taken to our table. A waitress soon drops off a round of shots for the group, with mocktails for Everly and Sierra. “Happy birthday!” Grayson yells, raising his shot glass in the air. “To Daisy and Tucker. Can you guys believe these two are finally together? It’s about fucking time.”

“Cheers to that,” Holden agrees, holding up his drink. “You two are cute as fuck!” The table erupts in laughter as we all stand to click our glasses before knocking back the shots. I smile as I look around the table. I fucking love my friends and I’m so excited to have Daisy here tonight to start to get to know them better. When we sit back down, I rest my hand discreetly on Daisy’s thigh under the table, and her fingers intertwine with mine. Just being out in public with her with all my friends makes everything feel right in the world.

“Tuck,” Grayson says, stealing my attention away from my girlfriend. “I hear that you agreed to cat sit for Jake and Ev. What the fuck is that about? I didn’t take you for a cat guy.”

“I’m cat-sitting for Birdie,” I correct him. “You try saying no to that sweet little face.”

Jake is taking Everly and Birdie on a babymoon. I have no idea what the fuck a babymoon is, but the three of them are going to Florida for a week. When they had no one to watch thekitten Jake bought for Birdie, I stepped up, forgetting that I sort of hate cats.

“It means the world to Birdie-girl,” Jake says with a slick smile. “She somehow believes Lucy is in good hands over at Uncle Tuck and Uncle Holdey’s. You two better not fuck it up.”

“Geez, man, have a little faith,” Holden says, grinning. “Tucker and I are very responsible, upstanding young men.”

“Debatable,” Jake scoffs.

“Don’t listen to my husband,” Everly says, kissing Jake on his cheek. “He just likes to give you guys the gears. Now, back to the two of you.” She looks from me to Daisy. “I’m really happy for you guys. I heard a little about your history, that you’ve been friends since forever.”

“Yup,” Daisy smiles next to me, squeezing my thigh. “Which has made things amazing but also sort of… complicated. Our families are so close that our parents tend to treat us like we’re siblings.”

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