Page 39 of Only Fate

One who doesn’t vanish without so much as a goodbye.

When Foster and Adrian end their conversation with Amelia’s parents, they walk over to us. My eyes lock with Adrian’s.

His face is relaxed, while mine is rigid.

My breaths become shallower as he grows closer.

“Hey, guys,” Foster says when they reach us.

River rudely jerks his chin up and returns his attention to his phone.

“This is Adrian,” Foster introduces.

Callie waves at him.

Mia raises a brow.

Ava smiles. “Long time no see.”

Adrian laughs.

“Nice to meet you, man,” Easton says.

He must be out of the Adrian-and-me drama loop.

Easton is normally the last one to learn about drama and gossip. We don’t take it personally. He’s a single dad who spends most of his time taking care of his little girl, Jasmine, since her mom isn’t in the picture.

Foster sits next to Easton, and Adrian slides down the bench until he’s directly across from me.

I attempt to ignore him and act like he doesn’t exist.

He orders one of Down Home’s ales by name, which surprises me. I massage my temples to ward off a headache while Adrian makes conversation with River about their times in college and how River took nothing seriously.

Still pretty much sums up my brother.

A hint of my anxiety eases when my parents stop at our table. I stand to hug them. But that anxiety immediately returns when I sit and Adrian stands.

“I’m Adrian,” he says, extending his hand toward my mom and then my dad’s. “We met when I roomed with River in college.”

Dear God.

He’s acting like we’re on a date and introducing himself to the parents.

I stretch my leg under the table and jam my foot against his shin.

He briefly looks at me before turning his attention back to my parents.

“Adrian,” my dad says, furrowing his brows in thought. “The Adrian who took over Terrance’s law firm?”

Adrian blinks in surprise at my dad’s question.

I wildly grin, loving this.

“That’d be me.” Adrian clears his throat and swings his hand in my direction. “Did Essie tell you I offered to merge our firms so we wouldn’t be in competition with each other?”

I hold back my eye roll at his response.

It was a good one, darn it.

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