Page 2 of Eternal Hoptimist

I laughed. Hector never quit, but I appreciated it. He understood that my single status was the biggest barrier to achieving the title of the youngest partner in Sullivan Brothers’ history. The partners had an archaic sense of values and skewed priorities in what they expected in firm leadership. I wouldn’t put it past Hector to sign me up for every dating app under the sun. Hector wanted me to be happy, and I wanted a promotion.

“That’s my cue to leave. Good luck tonight! Remember, try to talk about more than real estate and zoning if you get into any conversations.” He hopped off the stool and leaned in. “You’ll thank me later.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but I had already lost Hector in the crowd of people clamoring for drinks. He must’ve spotted a prospect.

My gaze wandered back to the attractive guy opposite me at the curved bar. Something about him got under my skin and called to the part of me I kept locked away. The part that itched to have sex in any flavor but vanilla. Probably wishful thinking, but Smiley Guy looked damn flavorful.

The bartender approached Smiley Guy and jerked his thumb back in my direction, making him look right at me. I forced my lips to cooperate into what I hoped was more smile than grimace.There. I smiled at someone. Take that, Hector.

Smiles wouldn’t prove to my bosses that I was a “family man” and lived by the same “values” as the firm’s partners. But it was a start, and basically all I had time for, given my client load and the massive condo development project I’d taken on. I knew the LD Development project would be the one to determine whether they considered me for promotion. If they didn’t promote me to partner at the firm’s anniversary gala in March, I would become tied for the youngest partnernextyear. Tyingwasn’twinning.

I risked a glance back at Smiley Guy but couldn’t find him. My serial-killer smile scared him off.

“Hi. I hear I have you to thank for this.”

CHAPTER2

ETHAN

A solid mixof classics and current hits blared through the sound system at the Portland bar we’d picked to ring in the new year.

I wasn’t sure whether my New Year’s resolution was a triumph or a disaster in the making. Self-improvement? Always a solid resolution choice. Strengthening physical and mental well-being? Admirable. Making a deal with myself to avoid dating and relationships for an unspecified amount of time? The jury was still out.

“Let’s take shots!” Tyler, always prowling for a good time, be it a party or someone to fuck, yelled in my ear as he looped his arm around my shoulders. He was the quintessential all-American guy. Tall, lean, fit, with a jock-dropping smile that made you feel like you shared a dirty secret.

“No shots. If you start that shit, you’ll be useless at our brunch tomorrow.” Dom, the stern and reasonable one in our group—at least in his mind—shot him a warning glare. His assessing stare, broad frame, and thick beard had guys begging to call him Daddy.

Ty pouted. “Fine.”

Since we’d closed Tap That Brewery, the place I co-owned with my three best friends, for New Year’s Eve in favor of doing a New Year’s Day beer brunch, we needed everyone on top of their game tomorrow. A hungover Ty would be about as useful as a condom with the tip cut off.

I sought Austin’s attention to signal for backup on the no-shots thing, but he was too busy making kissy faces at his boyfriend, Caleb.

Austin, our brewer and my best friend, had insisted we all spend the evening together. He was the quietest of our group but held his own among the chaos. I’d expected him to celebrate solo with Caleb since it was their first NYE together. Frankly, it was a miracle he’d even agreed to close for the night, given how much he worked. If I hadn’t fucked up yetanotherrelationship, the guys wouldn’t have insisted on executing the tried-and-true Operation: Let’s Cheer Ethan Up After Getting Dumped Again.

I was tired of being pitied and hated being handled even more. It wasn’t the first time someone dumped me for a better option. Hell, it wasn’t even the dozenth. Jane and I hadn’t gotten serious yet—we’d dated for a month—but I thought we had the potential for something serious. She clearly didn’t agree since she dumped me before going skiing with friends over the holiday.

That was the problem, though, wasn’t it? They always seemed like they could be “the one.” I hyper-focused on whatever positive traits I could find and molded them or me into whatever happily ever after I pictured for us.

Hence the desperate need for a break from dating. I couldn’t trust my judgment, and taking some intentional time away from finding myone true lovehad to provide some clarity. Or at least earn me a rest from the constant razzing from the guys.

“Fine. If you’re going to be the fun police, I’ll find some other fun.” Tyler turned to scan the dance floor. “Some excellent prospects tonight.”

Ty had no difficulty hooking up. Not because his standards were subterranean, but because he had charisma, charm, and sex appeal beaming from his ass like a unicorn shooting rainbows.

Ty assessed his options. He had a personal rule of never having sex with the same person twice, but he was always honest so the guys he slept with could make an informed decision. I respected that. It also meant he made frequent trips to Portland from our small town of Dahlia Springs, about an hour away.

Hookups served their purpose, but I wasn’t searching to get off. I wanted to find a person to love. That was probably part of my problem, though. If I focused on sex first, the love might come with the right person.

New Year’s resolution amendment: No relationships but casual sex is allowed.

I mirrored Ty’s pose, leaning back against the bar and studying the crowd. There were tons of gorgeous people across the gender spectrum.I love being pansexual.

“You two look dangerous,” Austin said as he stood in front of us while holding Caleb’s hand. “Where’d Dom go?”

“Probably to meet with one of his secret booty calls,” Ty said.

The four of us couldn’t be more different, but we worked as friends, family, roommates, and business partners.

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