Page 76 of Well That Happened

I’ve got a clock ticking now.

And I don’t know what I’m more afraid of—what I’ll lose when I leave, or what I’ll find in California.

Still, when the emotion settles, what’s left is this flicker of pride that refuses to dim.

By the time I’ve reread the email five times and done a barefoot victory dance in my towel, I’ve made a decision:

I’m celebrating.

So I fire off a message in the group thread:

Rilee:Happy hour. Tonight. I just got THE job offer. I expect drinks, fries, and applause.

Lexi’s already in. You’re all invited. And I swear if you bail, I’ll replace your shampoo with Nair._

Caleb:Be there. Buying the first round.

Grayson:Congrats. I’m in.

Hunter:What bar?

Caleb:He didn’t say no. That’s basically a yes.

The bar is low-lit and loud, with neon signs, high-top tables, and a two-for-one wing special that feels like a health violation waiting to happen.

Perfect.

Lexi is already there when I arrive, dressed in heels and glitter eyeliner, waving from a booth like she owns the place. I slide in beside her, still buzzing with excitement, when the boys arrive in quick succession—Caleb first, then Grayson, then Hunter in all his brooding, black-T-shirted glory.

They slide into the booth without hesitation. Caleb on my other side, Grayson across from me, Hunter nursing a beer and somehow managing to take up more space than any one man should.

“Guys, this is Lexi,” I say, gesturing to her.

She gives a little wave.

Then she grins wickedly, already tipsy enough to be dangerous. “Nice to meet you, officially, Cinnamon Stormcloud, Daddy Ice, and Golden Retriever on Skates.”

I choke on my drink. “Please stop.”

“Too late. Those are their nicknames now.”

Caleb raises a brow. “I better not be the dog.”

“You are,” she says sweetly, “but in agoodway.”

Hunter just grunts, unimpressed. Grayson doesn’t react at all—just lifts his glass like he agrees.

And me?

I try not to blush like crazy. Now they know I’ve talked about them to my friend.

“Okay,” Lexi says, raising her glass. “To Rilee. Who is leaving all of us for sunshine and uterus-related glory.”

I raise mine, laughing. “To having a job and health insurance!”

We clink glasses. Someone spills beer. Caleb orders nachos for the table.

It’s chaos in the best way.

---