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“What’s that, Bill?” Logan calls across the bar as he jumps to his feet. “Need help with something?”

Bill looks up from behind the bar, confused. “I didn’t say anything.”

Logan keeps walking.

Knox watches him escape. “Think they’ll ever work their shit out?”

“Fuck knows.” I take a long drink of my beer and notice Knox studying me. “What?”

His usual grin disappears. “You really love her, don’t you?”

I look down at my drink.

There’s no point denying it.

“Yeah.”

The word comes out easier than I expected.

Knox frowns. “Have you told her?”

“Nope.”

He doesn’t offer advice or tell me what I should do. He simply picks up a pool cue and nods toward the tables.

For that, I’m thankful.

But while we play, my mind keeps drifting back to Blair. What she’s wearing. Whether she’s laughing with the girls.

Whether she’s thinking about me half as much as I’m thinking about her.

* * *

By the time I get home, I can’t wait to take a shower and crawl into bed. I left Knox and Logan at The Breakwater arguing over whether Knox could win a fight against a bear.

Knox seems to think he could.

Fucking idiot.

On the drive home, a text from Courtney came through.

COURTNEY: Can I stop by when you get home? We need to talk about what happens next with Aspen.

I agreed before realizing I would rather do literally anything else tonight.

I’ve barely pulled a beer from the refrigerator when someone knocks on the front door.

Courtney stands on the porch with her hands tucked into the pockets of her coat. “Thanks for agreeing to talk.”

“Yeah.” I step aside. “Come in.”

Having her inside my house still feels strange, but she doesn’t make herself comfortable. She remains near the couch while I lean against the kitchen counter.

“How did tonight go?” I ask.

“Good.” A small smile appears on her face. “She was quiet with me at first, but she eventually warmed up. Your parents helped.”

“They’re good at that.”