Page 10 of Eternal Hoptimist

I blew out a breath. “He keeps reminding me there’s a big annual party to celebrate the firm in a couple of months, and they always announce the new partners there. Hector thinks I’ll have a better chance at getting it if I have a boyfriend.”

“You could always hire a date.” He grinned, white teeth gleaming.

“I tried that once, and it was painfully obvious we weren’t actually a couple. I would’ve been better off bringing a cardboard cutout of Matt Bomer to the event.”

Ethan laughed. “A fellow Matt Bomer connoisseur. You’re in good company.” He pointed to the hallway next to the bar, where there was a white sign on the door that read Matt Bomer and Staff Only in black text.

I laughed. “I’ll let you get back to work. Just wanted to come and say it was nice to see you again. I’m sure I’ll be back again now that I’ve experienced how good it is.”

Ethan’s eyes flashed. “I’m sure you will. See you next time.”

CHAPTER4

ETHAN

Team Tap That Group Text

Ty:[GIF of person pouting] I want to go to Portland with you guys

Dom:If you’d rather go with them than help me fix the roof leak in YOUR bedroom that I let you live in rent free, that’s fine

Ty:WOW. I didn’t say I was backing out! I just want some fucking donuts

Ethan:We’ll bring you back donuts

Ty:[GIF of person happy dancing]

Dom:That coconut one?

Austin:Two coconut ones because you have to deal with Ty while doing repairs

* * *

“If we livednear a food truck pod like this, I would never cook again.” I took in the dozen food trucks forming a square around the lot with covered picnic tables in the middle.

“Tell me about it. Anytime we visit, I want to bring enough takeout home with me for a week,” Austin said.

“Only because you’re tired of my cooking.” Caleb winked at me.

“As if I could ever tire of your food.” Austin kissed his cheek.

“What place do you recommend?” I asked Caleb. There were too many tempting choices. Time to call in the professionals.

“That one’s delicious,” Caleb said, pointing to a food truck with his and Austin’s joined hands. “The owner used to park at my old pod.” Thick vertical stripes of blue, white, and red paint covered the truck called Full of Crepe.

A savory crepe did sound delicious. We approached the food truck and waited in line. There was a surprising amount of people there for lunchtime on a Monday. Then again, I supposed it was a solid option for people who worked office jobs in the area.

While we stood in line, Caleb ran off to talk to someone he knew.

“Does he always do that when you visit food trucks in Portland?”

Austin laughed. “Yeah. I’m used to it.”

It was the first time I’d joined them on one of their Monday Portland trips. I usually spent Mondays, when the brewery was closed, either working, vegging out from sheer exhaustion, or doing errands. For some reason, a visit to Portland sounded good this morning.

They planned to visit the stationery store where they’d first met nearly a year ago, but that held no interest for me. A visit to Powell’s Books, though? The perfect way to spend a dreary afternoon.

“I wanted to talk to you about something.” Austin shifted on his feet as he stared straight ahead.

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