Page 24 of Lyric Squared

“Good evening,” I replied, admiring his handsome features in the dark as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“You ready to roll?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve already punched the location into the GPS. It says we should be there in about ten to twelve minutes.”

Collin drove like an old man, slow and without haste. It was the only reason I didn’t like riding with him. I preferred taking my own car, but there was just something about riding in the passenger seat with a man that was as fine as Collin with a bankaccount as fat as his, too. He was a numbers guy, too, but more into stocks and investing.

His portfolio was astounding and his worldly possessions were evidence to prove it. There wasn’t anything Collin wanted and couldn’t have at the moment. He was at the top of his game – according to him and his account statements that I viewed when he first signed on as a client of mine.

“Sounds accurate.”

I’d visited Oat + Olive enough times to know the route and the timeframe. With it being a Friday night and traffic being questionable, the extra two minutes made sense. It was usually a ten-minute drive. Hopefully, Collin didn’t extend it with his precise, impeccable driving skills.

He opened the door behind us as waited for me to climb inside of his car. Once I was snug, he closed the door behind me and galloped toward the driver’s side. I reached over and opened the door to ease his transition.

Miguel’s track was heightened in volume as we set out toward the secret spot that I’d been visiting for a few years now. It was one of those that not everyone shared with too many of their friends so that it wouldn’t get turned the hell out. My family frequented the spot monthly, but tonight I was tackling our favorite alone – with the exception of Collin.

Comfortable in the heated seats, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the silkiness of Miguel's voice as he sang about his love being a sure thing. If I wasn’t witnessing two strong and healthy relationships play out in front of me, I’d call the song total bullshit, but I knew that everything he was singing about was possible.

My parents had been together for forty-two years. Since they were babies, pretty much. All these years later they were still loving each other as if it was the first year of their relationship.They’d been honeymooning since the day they’d been married. Each year, choosing to vacation to celebrate their union.

Luca and Ever reminded me so much of them. Their love was new and fresh, but it was evident it would stand the test of time. The two loved each other unconditionally, to the point that it pained anyone who was single to see them. They were prime examples of everything you wanted in a partner and from a partnership. There weren’t any roles or responsibilities dedicated to one gender or one person in their home.

As a couple, they made sure their home and children were cared for. Everyone played a part in the success of their marriage and parenthood as a whole. Whether it was cooking, cleaning, combing hair, or taking out the trash. Whatever needed to be done was done without hesitation or question. Anything the one could do to make the other’s day a little better or easier, they did.

I admired that. I admired them. When my person came into my world, I wanted that. I wouldn’t settle for anything less than it, either. Every day I was seeing what was possible – thanks to my parents and my brother – so there was nothing a man could tell me to convince me otherwise.

“We’re here,” Collin announced.

So lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t noticed we’d stopped or that we’d reached the valet attendant. As another attendant pulled my door open, my cell rang. Checking the caller I.D. I noticed it was Ever trying my line. I silenced the call as Collin intertwined his hand with mine, guiding me toward the door.

I’ll call her in the morning, I thought as Collin slowed to a creep when we neared the door. Like Luca and Laike, he wasn’t a fan of lines. He’d get the quickest access his money could buy at any venue. It was one of those things that I liked about him that reminded me of my brothers.

I paid little attention to the doorman that Collin was bribing as I tried unlocking my phone to text Ever and let her know whyI’d pressed ignore. She was already calling me back. I ignored the call a second time as Collin pulled me intoOat + Oliveby my hand.

“He said we can reserve a spot if someone is already sitting where we want to sit and they’ll have them find another place to crash,” Collin yelled over the music.

“Yeah. I’m aware. I’ve already reserved a table,” I informed him.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. It’s this way.” I began tugging him in the opposite direction while unlocking my phone to text Ever. When I accessed our message thread, there were three dots inside of a gray bubble bouncing.

“It’s the same one we alwaaaa–” I dragged just as my phone pinged with a new message, and my eyes batted to be sure that I wasn’t being deceived.

Luca’s handsome features all raised as they formed a full-faced smile. Laike’s brows raised as he looked at me for an explanation. And, Ken…

Ken?

I dropped my head into my chiming phone, face recognition unlocking it immediately. Ever’s words were simple but rang loud in my ears. She’d tried to warn me, but the cat was already out of the bag by the time I read the messages.

He’s home.

Ken is home.

“Who the fuck you with, Lyric? Care to introduce us to your boyfriend?” Laike was the first to speak.