Chiara takes a sip of her drink. “What she said.”
“You’re always welcome to hang out with us on campus.” Jeff runs a hand through his dark brown hair. “Both of you.”
“Yeah,” Tessa says to Chiara. “And since you and Mia are close, you’re stuck with us.”
Chiara breaks into a tender smile. “You were right,” she says to me. “I already love them.” She points her finger at Jeff. “Though I might still be salty from time to time. You did steal my best friend, after all.”
“Duly noted.” Winking, he drapes an arm across Tessa’s shoulder.
She beams up at him, and he runs his knuckles over her cheek, brushing her blonde hair back from her face. Maybe I should feel like a third wheel when I’m with them, but instead, there’s only contentment. I’m so fucking happy for them.
What Jeff and Tessa have is a forever type of thing, the kind of love you only read about in romance novels or see on TV.
Every time I’m with them, it gives me hope that one day, I’ll find my person too.
“What are our plans for tomorrow?” Jeff asks, ripping me out of my thoughts. “We were thinking about exploring Monterey. Want to come with us? Show us around?”
“How about we take a little trip around town then head to my place for dinner?” I ask.
“Sounds like a solid plan,” Jeff says. “I’ve met your mom and stepdad and Matt already, but will I finally get to meet the mysterious stepbrother?” He grins devilishly, setting his elbows on the table. “You never talk about him. What’s he like?”
“Yeah, what should we expect?” Tessa straightens in her chair.
Chiara chuckles. “Oh, Dominic is?—”
The bell over the door chimes, and my best friend’s eyes dance.
“Speak of the devil.”
On instinct, I look over my shoulder, and when Dominic steps into the diner, my breath hitches. It’s becoming my go-to reaction to his presence.
Dammit.
His clothes only add to his appeal. His black jeans hang low on his hips, and his white Nikes and white T-shirt are crisp, clean. The fabric of his tee emphasizes the black ink curling up his entire arm. He keeps his blond hair shorter than he did when we were kids, in a buzz cut now, and the stubble on his jaw only makes him look more handsome.
If the way my body has consistently reacted to him since I came home is any indication, being in close proximity to Dominic Watson is bad for me.
And for some reason, I always seem to find myself in his company.
His hazel eyes meet mine. Then, he surveys the people around me, his gaze lingering on Jeff. I expect him to come over, to at least say hello, but he only nods and proceeds to the table in the farthest corner, completely out of my sight.
Only then do I realize he’s not alone.
A tall, lean guy with dark brown hair follows him to the booth. He has a neat beard and an eagle tattooed on his neck. When he catches me watching him, he smirks.
Rather than shy away, I lift my chin and openly hold his gaze.
“Is that him?” Jeff asks, craning his neck so he can look behind us.
“Yeah, it’s him,” Chiara confirms. “And that’s Miles. He works with Dominic.”
Jeff peers at me, scratching his cheek. “Now I see why you went for Nolan.”
“Unbelievable.” I shake my head. Nolan is Jeff’s brother. “I’m never going to live that down, am I? Even though you told me it was okay before it happened.”
He shrugs, his lips twitching. “You know I love you—and that I love taunting you.”
“How long did you two date?” The moment the words are out, Chia claps her hand over her mouth. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry, Tessa.”
