Page 51 of My Rockstar Ex's Broken Vows

He remembers my favorite herb to add to my cocktails is rosemary.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding as I re-read the text. Neutral territory. No funny business. He’s trying, and he's charming.

Getting out of here tonight could be good for me. Marcus is picking Ollie up from school and he will be there tonight and tomorrow night. We’re still trying to iron out our schedule, but he asked for Monday and Tuesday this week and then the weekend.

A drink at a hotel bar feels safe enough. Low stakes. No expectations. An escape.

Still, my thumb hesitates over the keyboard. What am I doing? I should say no. Tell him I’m busy. But instead, I start typing.

What’s the drink called?

The reply comes almost instantly.

Rosemary Clover Club. Bartender swears by it. You’ll love it.

I’ll think about it.

Even as I send it, I know I’m going.

MercerHotel

6:16 PM

The posh,bespoke hotel is exactly what I expected—dark, sleek, and polished, with an air of understated exclusivity. The bar issmall but elegant, with a marble counter and leather stools. The kind of place where every drink costs more than a decent lunch, but no one bats an eye.

Callum is already there, sitting at the end of the bar. He has one leg propped casually against the stool and his leather jacket draped over the back. He looks... good. Too good. Like he knows exactly how to blend in here but somehow still stand out.

He spots me the second I walk in and stands as I approach. "You came," he says, his lips curving into that familiar grin that makes my chest tighten.

"You’re lucky I was curious about this drink," I say, sliding onto the stool beside him. "I'm a sucker for rosemary."

"Curiosity’s good," he says, nodding to the bartender. "Two Rosemary Clover Clubs, please."

"You’re already ordering for me?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Trust me," he says, his grin widening. "I already did a taste test and you can thank me later."

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. "We’ll see."

The drinks arrive and my mouth waters. They are a soft pink hue with a sprig of rosemary perched delicately on the rim. I lift the glass, studying it like it might give me an answer to why I’m here. Callum watches me, his grin easy, but there’s something behind it—like he’s waiting to see if I’ll bolt.

"Cheers," he says, holding up his glass.

I clink mine against his. "To what?"

"To curiosity," he says, his voice low and teasing. "And rosemary."

I roll my eyes, but the smile tugging at my lips betrays me. "And as they say in the furniture business, 'chairs!'"

"Oh, that's funny. I might have to steal that one. Chairs!"

The first sip surprises me—smooth, herbal, with just enough citrus to keep it from being too heavy. "Okay," I admit, setting the glass down. "It’s good."

"Better than good," he says, taking a sip of his own. "Told you."

"You’ve had one before," I accuse, narrowing my eyes at him.

He shrugs, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Maybe. Wanted to impress you. I knew rosemary would draw you out."

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