Page 68 of Sweet Spot

“Oh, you two – just stop,” Bree interrupted. “We’ve got enough sweetness with the chocolates, we can’t have you guys being all couple-ly and cute or we’ll need fuckin’ root canals.”

I snorted. “How do you like the Earl Grey lavender, Bree?”

“Is this a serious question? It’s like, the best thing I’ve ever eaten. I could eat this and the hazelnut one for the rest of my life and be set.”

“Classic Bree exaggeration,” Stephen rolled his eyes. He looked at me. “Though I gotta admit, this rum raisin is dope. I think it’s getting me drunk. Yo – how the hell do you make these so shiny?”

“Proper tempering. And the molds I use do help,” I replied just as I heard my phone start to buzz angrily against my keys in my purse. I frowned. “Weird. Sorry, I did put that thing on silent.”

“If someone calls twice in a row, the second call comes through,” Lyssa offered. “Meaning it could be an emergency. You should pick it up or at least see who it is.”

“Oh, shit. Good to know,” I said with genuine surprise that made everyone chuckle and laugh. Fishing through my purse, I found my phone, letting out a little gasp when I saw that it was Elaine Gardner calling. “It’s Elaine,” I whispered to Lukas with wide eyes.

“Who’s Elaine?” Ritchie asked.

“My investor,” I replied hastily as I got up off the couch. “Do you mind if I…?”

“No, no! Go ahead. Shit’s important,” Ritchie said. Then he got urgent. “Wait, wait! Before you go…”

I turned around with a hint of concern. “Yeah?”

“Can I have the last rum raisin?”

“Yes!” I answered incredulously as everyone, Lukas included, broke out laughing. My phone was still buzzing but I had to take a moment and snap a mental picture. Lukas Hendricks sitting with my ex and my high school friends, all of us hanging out together in the house I grew up in. My two very different worlds were colliding so hard and it was fucking bizarre.

But kind of nice.

Okay. Alright. Good vibes, I told myself, my heart beating fast but a smile on my face as I finally excused myself to the corner to pick up the phone.

LUKAS

“So, Lukas.”

I knew I’d hear those words the second Lia was gone, and I had a feeling I’d hear it from the brown-haired one with the short, crazy ponytail at the top of her head. I was pretty sure that one was Bree.

“Tell us all about Lia. We’re so curious to know what she’s like now. Like, whenever someone moves out of Warren and doesn’t come back within like, six months, it’s kind of a miracle,” Bree said. “Is she workin’ real hard out there?”

I let out a breath. “Definitely. I had to chase her to go out with me for awhile. She works hard,” I said, keeping it simple. I didn’t trust these people. I didn’t trust anyone for the most part, but Lia’s former friends fell pretty low on the totem pole.

“That’s amazing. She’s honestly always been really good about staying focused. Nothing ever distracted her,” Bree said, glancing back at Ritchie. “Then again, she was dating Ritchie back then and I think we can all agree that Ritchie’s a lot less distracting than you are.”

“Bree,” Lyssa hissed as Ritchie flipped her the bird. “Sorry, Lukas. Had I known someone like you was coming, I would’ve briefed these clowns on social skills and manners.”

“Fuck you, Lyss,” Ritchie muttered.

I eyed him, remembering everything Lia had told me about him. He forced her to drop out of school, forced her to pay him for work he never did. He lied about having a job and played fucking video games at his friend’s house for eight hours a day and took a loan out in her name to tank her credit.

For Lia’s sake, I’d gone into this night trying not to remind myself of all the shit he put her through because I understood her need to close this chapter of her life on a high note. I’d never forgive Cam for all the shit he pulled on me and my family but it wasn’t like I savored my hatred for him. It wasn’t fun. It burned inside me every day and filled me with dark thoughts no happy person was capable of having. I wouldn’t want Lia to feel so much as a fraction of that so I did my best to sit through the night a complete gentleman.

“So? What did your investor say?” Ritchie asked when Lia got back, holding a hand to her mouth.

“Gotham Grocer,” she murmured, turning from them to me. “You know that store, right?”

“Yeah. There’s a location near my apartment. It’s nice,” I said slowly, a tentative smile spreading my lips. “Why?”

“Well…” Lia made a little squeaking noise. “They’re my first official distributor!”

The others gave a collective gasp as I jumped to my feet and kissed Lia. I had to. I made it fast but I made those two seconds count because I needed her to feel my pride and I couldn’t help myself from touching her. When I pulled away, I expected her to be blushing, embarrassed but she wasn’t. Her gorgeous eyes sparkled at me and she whispered, “I’m so fucking happy, Lukas.” Just loud enough for me to hear.