✧

"I'm telling you, it's the best place to go." Troy says, holding up his hands.

River snorts. "Yeah, minus all those insect bites you got. Swear you're allergic to them, those pictures Demi sent in the group chat were rough."

Demi lays her hand on her boyfriend, Troy's arm. "Don't worry we went to the pharmacy and grabbed some antihistamines and lots of afterbite. He was right as rain after the first couple days and the moaning had died down."

"I did not moan," he protests.

"You did," Demi hides her smile and then kisses his cheek. "But it's okay, you were in pain and clearly extremely irritated."

Alex leans forward on the table, clearing his throat quietly. "So would you go back to Portugal?"

Demi hums. "Most definitely, so beautiful. The weather was amazing and the beaches. Wow, they're a whole new level of amazing!"

A part of me is jealous as I listen to their conversation. I can't even remember the last time I went abroad on holiday... if I've ever been at all. I think we went to Spain when I was a child but apart from that, I haven't really left these borders.

But Demi and Troy have worked hard these last couple of years and they definitely deserve a break.

Alex turns to River and beams at him, once upon a time I used to wish he looked at me like that. Now I realise that they're made for each other and I can no longer be bitter about true love, especially when they're both your best friends.

"Maybe we should go," Alex comments. "I've never been to Portugal, I've always wanted to visit Lisbon. It looks incredible there."

River swipes his hand down Alex's arm gently and nods. "Then let's go."

I sink in my chair a little bit. The future of getting on a plane and flying to another country feels so far from my current situation right now. I doubt I'll even get there. But one can dream, one can pray that somehow Chessman's has a turn around and we double our profits.

"What's been going on with you?" Troy asks as he glances at me. "You seem incredibly quiet."

Alex drags his eyes away from his boyfriend and nods, his expression falling into a soft frown. "Yeah, what's the matter, Luca?"

I suck in a breath and shake my head. "Nothing, sorry. Just a lot has been going on lately at the cafe and I've not been sleeping much." I find myself admitting. "But things should be getting better soon."

All of their eyes light up in my direction. "The bank gave you a loan?" Demi asks in a high pitched tone.

My teeth find my lip. "Not really."

"Oh," she deflates into her seat.

Demi has been working at Chessman's for the last couple years but since we needed to source more money to pay for the mortgage and the resources to keep the place running, we had to cut some of her shifts. She was incredibly understanding because she knows the struggle that we've been going through.

Thankfully she was able to find herself another part time job and comes to help out at the cafe when she can and when we can afford to pay her.

"So what's been going on?" River asks, pressing his elbows into the table.

"Well..." I trail off and attempt to gather my thoughts. "Instead of getting a loan from the bank, we're getting it from someone else."

Troy's brows pinch together with confusion. "Who?"

I lick my bottom lip and glance at Demi. "Declan."

"What?!" She almost jumps out of her seat and I nearly fall backwards.

Alex runs a hand through his hair and then waves it in front of his face. "Wait, wait, wait," he mumbles. "The guy that's been coming into the cafe everyday to see you?"

I purse my lips for a split second. "Yeah."

They stay silent for a second, shock clearly settling amongst them.

"And how exactly did that come about? And why didn't I know about it sooner?" Demi chokes on her own saliva.

I clear my throat and shuffle in the chair, trying not to focus on how all their intrigued eyes are on me. Waiting. "When the robbery happened, he kind of found out about our financial situation. Then we met up a few days later and he proposed that he give us a loan, enough to pay off our mortgage for a few months and enough to redecorate, re-brand and try to bring the cafe back into the town."

"Hang on," Troy places his hand down onto the table. "You need to be careful man. How well do you know this guy?"

My shoulders raise to release. "A few months, I've known him from the cafe. We talked occasionally, but we speak more often now."

"Yeah, of being your customer. What if he tries to take away your business or something? I bet he seems like a nice person but you don't have to follow up with it if you're unsure."

"He told us that he would not take on the mortgage or the business, everything will stay in my mother's name. He just wants to give us a loan to try and get us back on our feet again, he wants to help." I explain with as much confidence as I can possess.

Alex chews on his lips. "I mean, it sounds like an incredibly kind gesture but why? He won't get anything out of it, will he?"

My head nods. "Yeah, I discussed it with my mum. If we make back the profits, we will give him back the loan. It's just interest free, I know my mum wouldn't let him work for free. So we're praying that it works and we can thank him in return with some kind of payslip."

"But still, why?" River asks.

"I don't know. He said he likes working on projects, he has experience in the business industry." I state as they all stare back at me with knowing glances. I sigh. "Look, I understand that you have worries but right now, we don't have any other choice. If we don't take his loan, the shop will be gone in the next two months."

Alex winces at my words. "Okay, well I understand now why you'd agree. But just be careful with it, okay?"

I nod slowly. "My mums sitting down with a solicitor to make sure that everything is right and legal, that we're not getting stitched up. I think he's legit, he's so incredibly kind and I honestly don't suspect one bad bone in his body."

"That's because you fancy him," Demi flashes me a lazy grin.

My eyes roll. "I don't fancy him."

"Yeah, yeah," she chuckles, leaning back in her chair. "You'd have better luck telling me that pigs can fly."

I place my hands flat on the table. "Look, he's going to be my business partner soon so there won't be a chance to fancy him. He might have been a bit of eye-candy before but now he's an actual asset to our business, I can't fuck this up."

Demi wiggles her eyebrows in my direction.

"No," I point a finger at her. "I swear to God, if you or any of you embarrass me in front of him, or make up rumours that I fancy him. I will personally shit through your letterboxes."

Laughter filters around the table. "Fine," Demi says in defence. "I'll try my hardest."

I narrow my eyes into slits in her direction. "I can't wait to hear more about it though," Alex says and I glance at him. "I really hope it works out and he helps bring the cafe back to life."

"Me too," I agree.

Our food makes its way to the table and my stomach growls. I haven't eaten all day because I didn't really get a chance, not when I have to do every single job in the cafe alone.

I glance up as River draws a bunch of cheesy chips away from the bowl, the stringiness of it dangling down. Alex opens up his mouth and River laughs, shovelling the chips onto his tongue before smiling. River then licks his fingers clean whilst he stares back at Alex.

My stomach flips. Then when I glance at Troy and Demi, they're giggling together as she tries to steal a bunch of food from his plate. He's a lot bigger than her but she's still sneaky with those hands. He tugs her away but then she kisses his cheek to distract him and grabs a goujon from his plate.

A ball forms in my throat and I focus back down on my food, taking small bites.

Never in my life have I felt so incredibly single.

Before it didn't really bother me, not when Mason was in the group and he made me feel like not being in a relationship was okay. But since we fell out with him, now I'm the fifth wheel and will always be the fifth wheel.

When I took a break from dating anything with a pulse, I thought I wouldn't last a day. But here I am, over a month later. I have to admit I do feel better in myself but now I feel like I've lost all that confidence and the thought of getting back out there scares me.

My priorities in a man are different now.

I want them to like me for me. I know I'm a lot to handle. Overbearing. But now it's like I don't even know how to flirt or be my old bubbly self. Everything with the cafe has taken that away and my focus has changed.

Of course I want a boyfriend. I want to be loved as much as the next person.

But deep down I feel like I'm not the sort of person you love. No one has ever loved me like that in the past, what is going to change now? I've been on plenty of dates, and found my way into multiple beds. Yet, I'm still disregarded and that makes me feel like I'm unlovable.

Is something wrong with me?

No. I tell myself. I just need to get back out there and give this another shot.

Even if I vowed I'd never re-download Tinder again.

✧

I don't know how many times I swiped left on this goddamn app.

It's currently ten o'clock at night and I'm endlessly swiping. Because none of these men are remotely what I'm looking for. Some catch my eye but end up leaving cringey bios and I can't even bear the thought of swiping right.

What the fuck has happened to me?

A few months ago I'd be eating them all up and craving their attention.

I continue swiping for a few more moments until a notification pops up at the top of the screen. My heart rate increases when I see Declan's name and a text message that he's left me.

My thumbs fly to open the message.

Declan

Hey, sorry it's late. But I wanted to ask if we could discuss new ideas for pitching the cafe tomorrow? I've been building up lots of new propositions and I think you'll love them.

I bite on my lip as I read the message. It's late at night and he's thinking about this? Does the man ever give himself a day off?

Luca

Hey, it's okay. Yeah sure, we can discuss after work? I mean I'm not very good at the business stuff so it'll be good to have you there

When Declan doesn't respond immediately, I return back to Tinder. Now these men don't appeal to me for a single second because I have Declan on my mind. Is he laying in bed in nothing but his boxers texting me right now?

I groan and press my face into the pillow. I need to stomp out this crush once and for all, because it's going to end up in tears if I don't. And those tears will belong to me.

My phone vibrates and I click on our messages.

Declan

That's why you need me, Luca.

I stare at the message, my body becoming incredibly hot underneath my duvet. Blood rushes to my crotch and I whimper at my body's reactions to a simple text. One that sounds incredibly sexual in my deprived mind.

Throwing my phone somewhere on the bed, I roll onto my front. My hardened cock now pressing into the mattress. "Fuck," I curse to myself and shake my head.

No. No. This needs to stop.

But I can't help myself. I guide my hand into my boxers and grip my cock, stroking myself without any shame. Boy, will the shame come after.

Just one time I'll do this. One time and it'll be all over.

I speed up my wrist and bite down into my pillow, my thumb flicking over the tip and I shudder at how sensitive I am. Images of Declan flash in my mind, in that suit. The way he drives his car with his sleeves pushed up to his elbows, flashing off those impressive forearms that are thick and veiny.

My mouth releases a gentle moan and I picture him behind me, pressing his lips to my ear as he whispers.

That's why you need me, Luca.

God, yes. I need him. I need him so fucking badly I can hardly breathe.

Before I know it I'm spilling into my boxers at the thought of his voice, rough and demanding. I cry out as the orgasm soars through me and I stroke myself until I am a shaking mess.

After a few moments I collapse into the bed completely and wince at what I've just done.

I'm not sure how I'm ever going to face Declan again knowing I just came to the thought of him from a simple text. I clench my eyes shut and frown. "Oh fuck," I murmur to myself.

What on earth have I done?

✧

Read the rest of the book, bonus chapters and the first 23 chapters of the third book in the series over on Patreon and Ream!

www.reamstories.com/savannaroseauthor
www.patreon.com/dreammcatcher

Link is also in my bio!

Author's Note

I love the gang back together! And checking in on Luca to make sure that he knows what he's doing with the cafe because from the outside it does sound a lil dodgy

BUT OMG THAT TEXT MESSAGE🥵🫣

Luca is a little freaky and I'm so here for it😉

It breaks my heart that he thinks he's unloveable though. Ugh. Don't worry, Declan will be coming for him soon!

What did you guys think?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

Don't forget to vote and comment! it makes my day ✨

Love Savanna x

Insta: savannaroseauthor
Patreon: dreammcatcher
Ream: savannaroseauthor
Tik Tok: SavannaWritess