Page 47 of One of Them

“Then what happened?” His brother’s gaze shifted to me, curiosity written all over his face, desperate for the story.

“Don’t get me wrong, it was all new and exciting,” I said, recalling the past. “I just never found anything or anyone that could really hold my attention. I ended up at this bar.” I turned, pointing toward the far end of the patio where the same bar still stood, unchanged, just missing a few decorations.

“I ordered the most expensive bottle of red wine, but the server told me it was in the cellar, and the host is the only one with access.” I let out a cough-laugh. “Let’s just say the host was a little preoccupied with one or two, possibly three other attendees.”

A quiet “wow” escaped Luka, but Enzo shot back with words. “You snitch.”

Ironic, considering he was the one person I’d never snitch on.

I raised my hands in surrender. “They wanted details. I barely gave them any.”

“I’m still waiting,” Luka declared, clearly unsatisfied with the answers.

“I guess you’ll have to attend to find out,” Enzo teased, openly enjoying the situation.

Luka’s head snapped toward his brother at lightning speed, his face lighting up. “Did he just invite me? I’m pretty sure that counts as an invite.”

“I’m not sure there’ll be more in the future, though,” Enzo added, lost in thought.

Luka’s expression faltered. “What? You can’t quit on me now,” he protested loudly. “Taya, help?”

“News to me,” I said with a shrug. “I thought it was your event of the year.”

“It lost its appeal.”

In his role as the elder, Maxim pitched in. “It’s the years, man. They sneak up on you.”

The ridiculous statement had the other Galkins turning to him. Luka nudged his brother’s shoulder. “What are you talking about?”

Alisa, close behind. “Out of all of us, you’re the least likely to settle.”

Maxim dismissed their teasing with a wave. “I’m not talking about settling. It’s the sharing you grow tired of.”

A moment of thought created a pause. Since I wasn’t familiar with sharing, having never experienced it, I eyed my fellow diners, trying to gauge their reactions.

While Alisa maintained an innocent front, I knew from our previous conversations she was deep in some romantic scenario.

Enzo? He just stared ahead. I didn’t think he could come up with a single name of someone he could tolerate for that long. Let alone forever.

Luka’s smile grew as he answered with confidence. “I have no issues with that.”

I doubted the youngest of the Galkin men struggled with a shortage of candidates.

“Just wait,” Maxim stated.

Alisa recalled the story. “I’m still not getting how you two met.”

The table turned to me. “The third vodka landed in front of me when the host showed up. He was informed of my request.” With a sly smile, I teased, “Probably just needed a breather.”

Enzo let out a grunt in protest. “I was fine,” he snickered. “I came down to find out who dared to be so demanding.”

“We ended up drinking the bottle and talked all night. It was weirdly natural. When we noticed, the sun was up, and the guests had left.” I ran my mouth too far before I realized.

“People like to think that soulmates are a romantic concept. Two souls destined to find each other and spend the rest of their lives together in harmony. I think it’s a person you meet who makes you feel at ease, filling you with certainty. You know they’ll tag along for the ride, no matter how bumpy. You become inseparable, an extension of each other.”

I wasn’t used to saying so much at once. It felt strange to leave it all hanging in the air.

Maxim leaned over the table. “How did we get from sex parties to friendship bracelets?”

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