Page 30 of Three Minutes
I look up, catching her mouth parting slightly before she bites down on her bottom lip to hold back a response. Our eyes lock, breaths mingling as our mouths hover just inches apart. She licks her lips, her gaze drifting to my mouth. “Show me,” she breathes, peering up at me through her thick lashes.Dangerous words, Raina.
“Get a room, for fuck’s sake,” Blake jokes beside me, and I can feel my shoulders tense as I instinctively step back. I shoot him a look that clearly says his joke is annoying me. Turning my attention back to Raina, I see her wearing a lazy smile while Callie leans in to whisper something in her ear. As I scan the room, I notice that Beck has left the bar; I soon find her sitting on the couch with Jenson, both of them laughing about something. I can’t help but observe how Jenson gazes at her with such admiration. It’s a look I know all too well—he’s falling for her. For a brief moment, I feel a pang of jealousy. Not because of what they’re becoming, but because of my own past with Beck and where it ultimately led us. I once thought we were destined to be together, but I’ve realized that we weren’t. It was a lesson for both of us about what love is and can be. The love we have will always be there between us, we were just never meant to be anything more than best friends. And I’m okay with that. I think she is, too, at this point. Beck glances up at me, and our eyes meet for a short moment. She smiles, and I can’t help but smile back and nod in acknowledgement.
I take a deep breath, bringing my focus back to Raina. I’m watching her, Blake, and Callie engage in easy conversation. It’s clear they’re getting along well, which I find reassuring. Eventually, Raina meets my gaze, and I gesture toward the double doors, signaling that it’s time for us to head out. We exchange our goodbyes, and Callie decides to stick around for another night so she and Blake can spend some time together after the bar closes. Blake’s excitement is hard to miss as theymake plans. Raina and I step outside, both shaking our heads in amusement.
Chapter Twenty-Three
One Week Later
“Tell me about Raina’s friend. Do you think she’d be into a tall, incredibly handsome guy like me?” Blake croons from behind the bar.
I let out a long, exasperated sigh. The moment Raina mentioned her friend coming over, I knew Blake would jump at the chance to meet her. I flipped on theopensign and unlock the front door. “All I know is her name and age,” I say, walking back toward the bar and stealing a glance at him. He’s leaning against the counter, a goofy grin plastered on his face, eagerly waiting for any info I can share. I give him a glare. “Her name is Callie, and she’s twenty-four…happy now?”
He straightens up as customers begin to filter into the bar. “I suppose we’ll find out soon enough, brother.”
Beck walks through the double doors, finally emerging from the back where she’s spent over an hour organizing. It’s such a relief to see things starting to feel normal again and to have her here, actively engaging rather than avoiding me. From what Blake has shared, she and Jenson are getting along well. Although nothing official is on the table, they’ve been spending a lot of time together. I’ve noticed a new light in her. She seems genuinely happy, and that’s all I could wish for. “Why is Blakeacting so strange?” Beck asks, standing next to me as we both watch him preen in the large wall mirror while mixing drinks.
I rub my jaw, trying to pull my attention back to her. “Uh…Raina is bringing a friend.”
Beck chuckles softly. “I might just have to stick around a bit longer to witness this.”
I grab my phone to shoot Raina a quick text.
Me: Just warning you, Blake is eager to meet your friend. Please give her a heads up. He’s determined and won’t give up easily.
Raina: She has been warned…we are about to pull in.
I decide not to give Blake a heads-up that they’re almost here. I’m curious to see his reaction when they walk in. Turning back to Beck as she mixes herself a drink, I ask, “So, do you have plans later?”
She nods quickly. “Jenson is coming here later…we’re going to hang out here with Blake for a bit.” She takes a sip of her drink before adding, “What about you?”
I reply, “Raina is riding here with her friend who’s been visiting for the last few days. We figured we’d chill here for a little while, then she’s riding back with me to see Mango.” Beck laughs. “What’s so funny?” I ask.
“Nothing…it’s just hearing you say the name Mango is kind of amusing.”
I cross my arms and lean against the counter. “Why’s that funny?”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re this big guy covered in tattoos, and I guess I just never pictured you as someone who would have an orange cat namedMango.” She takes another generous sip of her drink, eyeing me playfully.
“I don’t own her; I’m just fostering her until—”
She cuts me off. “Psh, come on, Ez…we all know that cat isn’t going anywhere.” It seems I’m losing this argument, so I figurethere’s no point in fighting it. I’ll let it slide this time, mainly because I am just pleased to have the old Beck back. I’ve missed her.
“Oh, crap…I see Raina,” Blake mutters from beside me. I turn around just in time to catch Raina as she walks through the bar door, followed closely by a girl who towers over her. This must be Callie. She has long, straight, dark brown hair and is wearing a sleek, black leather dress paired with high boots. I glance at Blake, and he immediately bites his fist, his eyes wide with excitement.Oh shit, here comes the Blake show. Beck sighs next to me.
“Well, she’s in for a wild ride. She’s definitely his type,” she mutters, but I barely register her comment as my gaze snaps back to Raina. She’s wearing a flowy, blue dress that ends mid-thigh, paired with calf-length boots. With her hair pulled up into a high ponytail, she looks absolutely stunning, it almost hurts to look at her. My gaze drops to her lips, the same ones I devoured just a week ago. It’s been seven long days since I felt the softness of her mouth against mine. I’ve replayed the memory of her body pressed against me on the rooftop and in the elevator countless times—and I’ve touched myself far too many times since, indulging in the thoughts of tasting her, holding her, and that intoxicating kiss. Everything about her is addictive, and I can’t quite put my finger on what that kiss did to me. What was once hard to resist has transformed into an insatiable hunger. Now, it feels like I’ll always be starving for her.
Raina and Callie make their way straight to the bar, settling right in front of me. Raina turns her head, giving me a smile, then playfully bumps her friend’s shoulder. “Callie, this is Ezra. Ezra, meet Callie.”
I reach out to introduce myself, but Blake suddenly appears beside me, quickly grabbing Callie’s hand before I can. “Hey, I’m Blake, the bartender…What’s your name again?” He leansagainst the counter, flipping his hat backwards. I glance at him, a bit taken aback but not entirely surprised.
Shaking my head, I redirect my attention back to Raina, whose chin rests on her hand as she gazes intently at me. Next to me, Beck clears her throat. “I just wanted to reintroduce myself. Um, hey, I’m Beck.”
Raina’s lips curl into a smile as she adjusts in her seat. “Nice to finally meet you, Beck!” I look back and forth between them, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.After all this time.This is one less thing to worry about.
Beck’s phone rings beside me, and a smile breaks across her face. “I’ll be right back.” She answers the call and heads to the back.
“Can we grab a drink?” Raina’s voice chirps in front of me.
