Daniel's Point of View

"When was the last time we did this?" Harvey looks around the table before settling his gaze on the half-drunk cup of whisky and coke.

"When Daniel and Eden broke up," Henry answers. "It's been a while and I still remember the hangover like it was yesterday."

Just the mention of her name stirs memories and the wounds on my heart ache. No matter what I do, those wounds will always be there but it serves as a reminder that I deserve better.

"Hangovers only last for a day, memories last forever and I recall we had a great night," Harvey says. "Well, good night despite the circumstances." His gaze flickers to me and he sheepishly smiles.

"We should catch up more like this; just the three of us," I comment.

"I would love to, but it's hard to leave the house when you have kids," Henry comments. "Clara wants time away from the children or we need more family time."

"It's true." Harvey sighs. "And I only have one."

"It doesn't have to be a big night of drinking, we could just grab coffee or lunch," I suggest.

"But I like drinking." Harvey pouts. "Aubrey is talking about having another baby, but she wants to move to a bigger house which means we need more money."

Henry rolls his eyes.

"Regardless if alcohol is involved, we should just catch up more. We see each other on family night but we don't actually see each other."

"It's true." Henry nods.

"What's got you so sentimental?" Harvey frowns. "Aren't you enjoying your bachelor lifestyle? Do you need friends to hang out with?"

Henry loudly laughs, which causes Harvey to frown.

"I've happily traded in the bachelor lifestyle for a girlfriend. Not that I really had a bachelor lifestyle or pad considering I'm living at home with our parents." I'm not into one-night stands either.

"Congratulations." Harvey pats my back.

Henry laughs again and takes a long sip from his drink. Harvey looks between us and raises his eyebrow.

"What's wrong with his girlfriend? Have you met her?" Harvey asks.

"His girlfriend has a three-year-old son."

"Does Mum know?" Havey gasps like a child.

I roll my eyes.

"There are a few things she doesn't know." I sigh. "But she doesn't know about Ellie, she's suspicious though and Dad told her to stop prying into my personal life."

"When are you going to tell her?" Harvey inquires.

"Soon I hope! Ellie and I have just labeled our relationship and her son still thinks we're just friends, so once she tells him that things are okay, I will introduce them to the family. I think on one of our family nights so there's people to help diffuse any situations that might arise."

"I'm sure once Mum meets her and sees how happy you are together, she won't care about the fact she already has a child with someone else." Harvey shrugs.

Henry's facial expression is bleak because he's right about Mum and how she'll react to the situation. However, I hope once she meets Ellie and truly gets to know her and how wonderful a mother she is, it won't matter.

"I hope she likes Ellie because I really like her. I want to marry this woman, have a family, the white picket fence, and everything else."

"I'm happy you finally found the woman who's made you feel like this," Harvey says.

"He's smitten with her! Plus Clara seemed to think highly of her," Henry comments.

"How come Henry has already met her and I'm just hearing about it?"

"We bumped into Henry while we were out."

"Oh." He sighs.

"I'm going to buy another round of drinks to celebrate," Henry says.

"I'll come with."

"You go, but you." Havey points o me. "Tell me about Ellie. She must be extraordinary if she's caught your attention."

Just the thought of Ellie brings a big goofy smile to my face.

Ellie's Point of View

It's loud and the bar is crowded but I'm determined to buy a cocktail after spending the whole day with a savage toddler. I just need one good beverage to unwind. I weave through a couple of people who are just talking and rest my hand on the bar.

Slowly but surely, I finally catch the attention of a bartender.

"Can I get a Long Island Iced Tea?" The bartender nods and leaves to make the drink. I tap my fingernails on the bar and look around. I spot somebody to my left smiling oddly looks familiar, I just can't remember where from.

Then it hits me.

"You're Daniel's brother. Ugh, I know your name starts with a H. I'm sorry, I still have terrible baby brain and it's almost been four years."

"It's Henry." He laughs.

"I'm Ellie." I smile.

"What are you doing right now? You should join us for drinks."

"Daniel is here?" We both said we were going out, but we didn't discuss the details of where we were going so this is exciting.

Henry points over his shoulder and in the crowded room, I find Daniel standing by a table chatting with someone. His blue eyes shimmer as he chats. I wonder what he's talking about.

"I'm with my friends for dinner and drinks, but maybe after if you're still around we can stop in for a drink." The bartender gives me my drink and I pay before leaving.

I wander back to our table and as I take a seat, Talia stops her conversation to look at me.

"What just happened to you?" She raises a curious eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" I frown.

"Just the look on your face tells me something has you excited and I want to know."

"I just met Daniel's brother at the bar and he invited us to join them for drinks. Daniel is here with his brothers except I had no idea, so it's a funny coincidence."

Jordan gasps.

"Does Daniel know you are here?"

"I'm sure he will any second now."

"I want to meet them! Are any of his brothers single?" Talia giggles.

"Nope, they're both married with children." I laugh.

"Oh." She frowns. "I still want to meet Daniel properly. As your friends, we should be able to interrogate him and ensure everything is above board. We don't want any stupid boys breaking your heart."

"Once we're done with dinner, we'll go over and say hi and you can ask him all the questions you want."

Jordan and Talia are happy with this answer, and I'm slightly worried for Daniel. I've seen Talia interrogate Jordan's ex-boyfriend and she's merciless when it comes to her friend's happiness.

I take a long sip of my drink to help soothe the nerves.

Once I'm done with dinner, I head to the bathroom to re-touch my makeup. As I walk down the passageway leading to the bathrooms, Daniel walks out of the men's bathroom and we look at each other. I walk into his arms and he kisses me. It's a sweet and soft kiss that still has my heart fluttering.

He cups my cheek with his cool hand and kisses me again, but this time deepens the kiss. I lean in and run my tongue along the length of his lips.

"Hey." He smiles.

"Hi," I mumble.

"I miss you even though I saw you this morning."

I laugh because I feel the same way. We're like magnets and when we're apart I feel the pull to be near him again. I kiss the back of his hand and smile up at him.

"How are your drinks going?"

"So far good! Harvey really wants to meet you, he's upset Henry had the opportunity to meet you first which I explain was an accident."

"He really wants to meet me?"

"Yes." He nods.

I don't know why this makes me nervous.

"They're happy and can't wait to meet the woman who's made me so happy."

"Talia and Jordan want to meet you as well. We're almost finished with dinner, so maybe we can have drinks with you guys after? Talia also wants to interrogate you; make sure your intentions are good."

"I'm slightly terrified about the interrogation, but sounds good." He nods. "I have nothing but good intentions unless." He licks his lips and trails his eyes down my body.

He covers my lips with his and this time, my heart is racing with excitement.

Daniel leaves me breathless and yearning for more, but I manage to find my way back to my seat.

"We're finished with dinner, but kind of thirsty," Jordan says.

"Is this your hint that you want to meet Daniel and his brothers?"

"Yes." Talia nods.

"Okay." I nod.

Talia is already walking to their table before I've gathered my purse from the ground. I chase after them and arrive at their table a little flustered. I stand beside Daniel and he wraps his arm around my waist.

"This is my beautiful girlfriend, Ellie." I still love the way my name and girlfriend roll off his tongue.

"I'm Harvey and I'm delighted to meet you. I see you brought your friends."

"This is Talia and Jordan, my friends from work." The pair wave and for the first time in a while, Jordan looks shy.

"I'm happy you could join us for a drink," Daniel says. "What are you ladies drinking?"

"Long Island Iced Teas," Jordan comments.

"I'll grab drinks and be back soon."

Daniel pecks my cheek before racing to the bar. I watch him disappear through the crowd and sigh, wishing he'd take me with him.

"So ladies, what do you do for work?"

Talia plays nice and answers Harvey's questions and I longingly wait for Daniel's return.

* * * * *

I crack a yawn and Talia looks at me with disappointment.

"I was up early." I sigh.

Talia shakes her head.

"I think that's my sign to go home. I promised I'd take Noah to the park tomorrow and I need some sleep before wrangling a toddler tomorrow." I chuckle.

"I agree with you," Henry comments.

Talia rolls her eyes while I grin.

"Let me walk you out," Daniel says.

"Sure." I nod.

I give the girls a hug and wave goodbye to Daniel's brothers before following him outside of the restaurant. It's quiet outside and the wind is a little nippy. Daniel places his hands on my hips and I snuggle into his warm chest.

"How are you getting home?" he asks.

"I'm going to order an Uber. What about you?"

His blue gaze meets mine and a cheeky smile forms on his lips.

"Can I sneak through your bedroom window?" His breath is warm and it tickles my face.

"My mum is at home with Noah, so she will freak out if you jump through a window."

"Oh." He frowns.

"Plus I really want to tell Noah about us tomorrow. He likes you and always asks when you're coming over next so I feel confident to tell him about our relationship."

"Do you want help? I can come over tomorrow."

"I would prefer to do it alone, but I will let you know how it goes."

"Okay." He nods.

Daniel kisses my forehead, then captures my lips. I lean onto my tippy toes and slide my fingers through his soft blonde hair.

"I should order the car now before you convince me otherwise," I whisper against his lips.

Daniel pouts.

I twirl my fingers through his hair and tug on the strands. His blue eyes search mine and I bite my lip.

"This is your last chance to back out," I warn.

He grabs my face and his blue eyes burn into me.

"I'm with you until the end, baby."

His lips find mine again and the way he kisses me knocks any doubt from my system. 

* * * * *