Page 69 of Eternal Hoptimist

“Are you going to apologize for tricking me into hiring Hayden?”

“I feel bad that you’re uncomfortable and that I put you in this situation, but I’m not sorry. That said, if youdohave a genuine cause for concern for our business or if his being around is going to cause you a personal hardship”—Dom opened his mouth—“beyond you being a stubborn asshole”—he closed it—“then speak up. Our budget isn’t more important than your well-being. But if it’s because you’re upset about something that happened a long time ago, then let me remind you, you’re the one always on our asses about the budget.”

Dom’s jaw flexed as he stared at me. I held it. “Fine, but I’m not working with him.”

“I’ll do it. I already learned more than I ever wanted to know about construction anyway while collecting these bids.” It didn’t make much sense since Dom was the construction guy in our group. He’d been gearing up to do a full renovation on his house, especially with the historical society riding his ass. I couldn’t talk construction like he could, but if keeping him away from Hayden would make the project run more smoothly, I would happily do it.

I chugged the rest of my beer to calm my nerves. God, I could sleep for a week.

“How’s that hickey healing?” Seth blurted at me, then covered his mouth as his eyes went round. He uttered a mumbled “Fuck” behind his hands.

Dom’s, Ty’s, and Austin’s heads snapped toward me.

“Thanks, asshole.” I didn’t realize he’d even seen it. I’d tried to cover it with concealer. I half-smiled, remembering how frantic Parker had been that night.

“I’m so sorry. The awkward tension was killing me, and that was the first thing that came to mind to break it.” He looked like he was about to cry.

I sighed. “It’s fine, but payback’s a bitch.” I looked down at my hands. It was time to come clean with the whole truth. “I really fucking like Parker. It’s not fake anymore. Not for me.”

“Duh. What hobby did you pick up for this guy?” Ty’s teasing smile was filled with affection, but that didn’t ease the sting.

“Actually, nothing. Just being me.” If anything, he was the one who’d picked up a hobby. A few kinky ones.

They blinked at me like kittens opening their eyes for the first time.

Dom offered a rare toothy smile. “I didn’t mean what I said about you not working. You work your ass off like the rest of us. Do whatever you have to and don’t let a cynical asshole like me stop you. If you’ve got a chance at something real, take it. We’ll do what we need to do at the brewery.”

Dom’s earnestness unsettled me. I tried to break the tension with a joke. “Like it matters anyway. We all know my relationships never last.” I let out a self-deprecating laugh, but no one joined.

Austin’s and Ty’s serious expressions made me uncomfortable. Seth winced.

“This is different,” Austin said.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Yeah, I guess it is, and I’m scared shitless. How will it ever work even if he wants to stick around? I love my job and serving beer, which means working evenings. Parker loves his job, and he’s about to get a huge promotion. He lives over an hour away, and we would barely see each other. It doesn’t add up to a successful relationship.”

Ty walked over and plopped on my lap, forcing me to cradle him like a baby as his legs hung over the arm of the chair. He smacked a wet kiss on my forehead. “Congratulations on not being a dumbass any longer.”

The other guys laughed.

“What do you mean? I’ve fallen for a guy, and it’s not going to work. Pretty sure that’s peak dumbassery.”

Ty shook his head. “This one’s different. I can tell.”

“Oh, can you, Mr. Romance?”

Ty flicked my ear. “Just because I don’twantromance doesn’t mean I don’t understand it. I like him. He’d fit in with us.” He nodded once as though that decided it. “He was a good guy back in high school too. Busy as fuck, but when I hung out with Nate, Parker was always nice to me. Most older brothers wouldn’t dare be caught dead with their younger siblings or their friends—no offense, bro,” he said to Seth.

Seth snorted.

“But he was nice to us. Wouldn’t share his candy bars, but still overall not a dick.”

“Ringing endorsement,” I deadpanned.

“The guy is epic at Mario Kart.”

We all yelled, “Oooh!” simultaneously, and he groaned.

“It doesn’t count if I say it outside the brewery!” he pleaded. We let it slide.

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