Page 2 of Unconventional Love

Jules and I both agree, and I rush back to my room to change out of pajamas and grab my coat.

Within fifteen minutes, I’m meeting them in the lobby where we all walk out onto the bustling Seattle streets. The lively sounds of voices and vehicles pollute the air. So many people attempting to get to work when the sun has barely broken the horizon. Thankfully for us, there’s a coffee shop within walking distance of our hotel, saving us the hassle and money of catching a rideshare.

Jules walks on the right side of Samuel, closest to the road, and my heart flutters with both gratitude and jealousy as he guides her to the left by the small of her back. She continues on, not recognizing the gesture as if the chivalry is something she’s become entirely used to. Meanwhile, my standards continue to decline as I’ve just been hoping to find someone who can give me a proper hand necklace… and won’t cheat on me with their ex.

Their love is nauseatingly sweet; Samuel really went all out on this trip for Jules. I’m not even sure how he managed to get last minute tickets to tomorrow’s book convention, let alone a reservation for two rooms at the hosting hotel. To think she almost ended things before they even started. Her stubbornness didn’t last long when Samuel bent her over the CEO’s desk at her company Christmas party. Not sure I could say no to that either, though. I’ve had to live vicariously through her since she moved to Coal’s Lake, so the fact that she didn’t give me all the little details of that story-time was sad. We’ve been bestfriends since we were babies, there is nevertoo much informationas she told me.

Speaking of Coal’s Lake…“I just realized, you never told me why you’re leaving tomorrow,” I say as I pick up my pace to walk alongside him. He gently grabs my arm and guides me to the other side of Jules. I should have known there was no way in hell Samuel would let me walk by the road either. His chivalry has always extended to me when we all hangout.

Jules spares a glance at Samuel before answering for him as he opens the door to the coffee shop for us. “His friends, Tristan and Myles, decided to get married this weekend back in Coal’s.”

“Wait, the lube guys?” I ask, recognizing the names instantly. Jules laughs loudly, eliciting stares from people already inside of the shop.

Samuel shakes his head with a laugh of disbelief, and confirms. “Yes, the lube guys.”

“Good for them.” I suppose ordering five gallons of lube will have anyone falling in love. “Did it have to be this weekend, though?”

“It’s almost Valentine's Day, people are feeling extra romantic, I guess. I don’t think Tristan knew about the convention when he proposed to Myles,” he offers. “But on the bright side, you girls get plenty of girl time without me.”

An unwelcome memory rushes through me, and I shiver. I fucking hate Valentine’s Day, I was hoping for a distraction this weekend. Jules offers me a sad, knowing smile, and changes the subject. “You’re just happy you don’t have to deal with our book stuff.”

“You’re not wrong.” Delivery Daddy flashes her a model-worthy smile, and kisses her on the cheek. She responds with a weak shove of his shoulder. Even as she wipes the kiss from her face, she can’t hide the grin and affection in her eyes.

I revert my attention away from them, and peruse my options on the chalkboard menu hanging to my right. When the guests in front of us finish their order, the three of us step up to the counter. Whatever latte I’d settled on completely leaves my brain when I lock eyes with the woman behind the counter.

Holy shit.

CHAPTERTWO

graham

“Get up, we’re going out.”

I’m not going out.

Luke throws a shirt at me from across the room, effectively knocking the book I’m reading out of my hands, and pissing me off in the process.

“I’ve got important shit tomorrow. I’m not going out tonight,” I grit in annoyance as I retrieve the novel from beside me and flip to the last page I was reading. I’m still seething from discovering all of my shit got lost at baggage claim. If I hadn't had gym clothes in my carry-on, I’d be sitting on the couch naked right now.

“I’ll have you home by midnight,Princess.” He shoots me a wink, and runs a hand through his dirty blonde curls. I realize that he’s already dressed for the night in a pair of dress pants and a sleek, white button-down. Meanwhile I’m laying shirtless in his living room wearing my last clean pair of sweatpants until my luggage is found.

“In case you forgot, I don’t have clothes. I’m not going out.”

Gesturing down the hall toward his room, he dismisses my claim. “I have clothes you can borrow. I literally just gave you a shirt.”

I bark a laugh. My best friend is 5’7” on a good day. No way in hell am I fitting into his clothes when I have a good ten inches on him. “Luke… I don’t know how to tell you this, buddy.”

“Oh, fuck off, man. Not all of us grew up to be fucking trees. That’s my brother’s shirt anyway.”

I look between the shirt on the bed, and the novel. I hardly come back to Seattle anymore, so I guess I can spare one night with my best friend. “Fine. But I’m not drinking.” A smug smile crosses Luke’s face so I add. “And wewillbe home by midnight.” Seeming to be satisfied with my stipulations, he heads to his room to find me clothes.

Thirty minutes later, I’m sitting at the bar of Sapphire Haze, ordering water from the bartender. She doesn’t look thrilled with my request as she scurries around, making everyone else’s drinks first.

While I wait, I take the opportunity to view the place. I haven’t been back since college but the place is riddled with nostalgia. Blacklights line the ceiling, the glow intertwining with the fog machines, bringing to life the name of the club. Bodies, smeared in various colors of glow paint, blend into a sea of motion. I flip my head to look at the beam above the bar. Scanning for a minute until I find our names still scrawled in silver ink alongside hundreds of others.

“See, nothing’s changed.” Luke claps me on the back and follows my line of sight with a smile as his head bobs to the music.

“Here’s yourwater.” The bartender breaks our reminiscing, and pushes the glass toward me. Her eyes widen when I leave a twenty on the bar before turning and following Luke to the booth he had reserved. Considering there are only two of us, I assume he either already invited someone I’m unaware of, or he intends to find someone to invite over.

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