"River," Lacey calls across the office floor. I peek my head up from the computer and place down my pen. "Can I see you in my office please?"

I nod and stand from my chair, walking towards her as she holds the door open to me. "Thanks," I smile before sliding inside. The door shuts behind me and she loops behind her desk, sitting on her beaten leather chair.

"Sit," she orders and I follow.

"What did you need me for?"

Lacey entwines her fingers together and places them on top of her notebook, she beams back at me. "There is a new positioning opening," she starts. "For a new project manager. After everything you've created and made happen these last few weeks, I've been blown away by your efforts and hard work to put this together."

I twist my head slowly but keep quiet.

"I think you should apply for the role," she says confidently. "You've shown great determination and we need someone like you to help manage more of the projects. I've been talking with the other managers, they believe you'd be amazing for this role and bring much to the charity."

My lips part and I inhale a breath. This is not what I was expecting and now I can't stop the smile that begins to form on my face. "Really? Wow."

"You've really impressed us, River and we want nothing more than for you to showcase your skills as a new manager."

I clear my throat and lean forward. "I'd love to take a look at the job spec," I say, trying to ignore my thrashing heart.

Lacey nods. "Of course, I'll email it over to you. But River, if you apply, you have a very strong chance at getting the job. We wanted to offer it inside the charity first before posting it online for anyone to apply for."

"Thanks Lacey," I find myself grinning. "I'll definitely take a look and consider it."

"Great," she replicates my smile. "How's the next project coming along?"

I hum as I stand from the chair. "Yeah, well. Lillian is helping by reaching out to different inclusive groups of people, it's going to be an exciting one for sure."

Lacey reshuffles some papers on her desk. "Glad to hear it and I can't wait to see."

As I exit her office, I make my way back to my desk with a heavy amount of pride in my chest. I grab my phone and send a group text to Alex, Luca, Troy and Demi.

River: Shall we go out tonight? I think we should celebrate

Demi: What are we celebrating?

River: Being back together obviously

Luca: I'm broke

River: First round on me then

Luca: I'm there

Troy: I'm down, where are we going?

Demi: Somewhere fun!

Luca: Obviously, Demi

River: What about that ping pong place in town

Demi: oooooh, yes!

Luca: Sounds good to me, what time?

River: 7?

Troy: We're there, bro

Alex: What's happening?

River: Going out tonight, I'll come see you later after work

Alex: Alright, can't wait

I shove my phone back into my pocket and continue my work for the day, ecstatic to be spending the evening with good company and good vibes.

❖ ❖ ❖

After a few rounds of ping pong and a couple rounds of drinks down, we sit around a circular table, listening to Troy tell Luca that he won when really he didn't. Luca is the last person you want to argue with because he never backs down when he knows he's right.

"Come on babe," Demi places a hand on Troy's arm. "You know Luca won fair and square, no need to throw a strop."

Troy rolls his eyes. "I'm not throwing a strop."

Demi smiles at him and inches closer. "Awwww, poor baby."

Then she places a kiss on his lips softly. I grip Alex's thigh under the table and turn towards him, he's already looking at me. "Tonight has been fun," he comments and I nod.

"Agreed." I peck the corner of his mouth enjoying the warmth from him. It erupts from his body and washes over mine with calmness.

"Ugh," Luca says loudly and we all turn our attention towards him. "This sucks. Now I'm the only single one with you guys andI have to watch you all kiss each other all night."

Demi giggles quietly and moves away from Troy. "Wouldn't be so bad if you just asked Declan out."

Luca narrows his eyes towards her. "I'm not asking him out. I'm still focusing on myself, remember? And it's going well, thank you very much."

"You've been focusing on yourself for months now, Luca. You're only torturing yourself by looking at him everyday." Demi comments, sipping on her virgin cocktail.

"He's still coming in everyday?" Alex asks curiously.

Luca and Demi glance at him. "Everyday." They say at the same time.

Alex's eyes widen. "That's some dedication."

"I'm going to set something up," Demi wiggles her brows.

"You dare," Luca points a finger at her. "I'll never forgive you."

"And if you end up married with kids because I do?"

Luca scoffs at her words. "Don't be ridiculous. He'd never want to date me."

Alex cups my hand that is on his thigh and I smile without looking at him. "That's not true," he says sincerely. "You're great, Luca."

He presses a hand to his face and huffs. "Guess I've been out of the dating scene for a while, I've lost my confidence."

"Nothing that you can't gain back," Troy adds in.

"I think for the time being I'm just going to have to look and observe from afar, the cafe might be doomed anyway." Luca takes down half of his drink.

Alex clears his throat gently. "How's everything been going with getting a loan and stuff?"

Luca shrugs and glances down at the table, the topic clearly still hard for him. "Mum's still fighting the bank, doing all she can but we're running out of time. I fear we won't make it to the end of the year and winter is always our busiest."

"I'm praying for you and your mum. I wish there was more we could do."

The sincerity in Alex's voice has me squeezing his leg gently again. He cares. He cares so much and I adore that about him.

Luca flashes him a smile, registering his support. "I know, thank you."

"Right," Troy slams his hands down onto the table. "Who is ready for shots?"

"Yep." Luca nods.

Demi grabs Troy's arm again. "I'll do a shot of water."

He beams at his girlfriend and then kisses her head as he stands up. "Of course you will." His eyes turn towards me and Alex. "You both?"

"Sure," Alex says unexpectedly. "But only one and I'll have apple sours."

Troy laughs quietly. "That can't even be called a shot, the alcohol percentage is so low."

"I'll have the same," I say and Troy rolls his eyes.

"Boring but fine," he says before leaving the table and strolling towards the bar.

Alex glances at me, his eyes glittering. "Thanks," he says quietly as Luca and Demi talk amongst themselves.

I furrow my brows. "For what?"

"For not letting me drown in having an apple sours."

My lip curls to the side. "Apple sour shots are nice, we're just being sensible and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that."

He beams at me so bright that my chest constricts at the sight. "You're right."

Soon Troy comes back over with our shots, tequila for himself and Luca, two apple sours for us and one shot of water for Demi so that she can join in the fun. We hold the tiny glasses up in the middle and cheers before downing the contents.

Luca almost gags at the taste of his, giving his taste buds a whirl with the lemon. His eyes flick over my shoulder and his expression drops, along with my stomach. "Oh shit," he ducks his head. "Mason just walked in."

"What?!" Demi says far too loudly.

I glance at Troy who narrows his eyes on someone behind me. "He's with his work friends."

"Interesting," Luca comments.

My fists begin to tighten for no reason. I don't even give a single shit about Mason after what he caused but knowing he's here, at the same damn bar. I know that if he gives me one wrong look or Alex, shit will hit the fan.

I wouldn't cause a scene with Alex here, not after last time. It's the last thing he needs.

"You guys still haven't talked at all?" Alex asks and I draw my attention to him.

My lips stay shut as Demi shakes her head. "No, we haven't."

Alex glances over his shoulder and I wish he didn't. "He's seen us."

"We know." They say in unison and then keep their eyes down.

I feel myself begin to stiffen. Not that he'll come over but I hate this wave of rage that crashes over my body. Alex then grips my hand under the table, pulling apart my stiff fingers before lacing ours together gently.

My head rotates to him and he stares at me, he's noticed my distress but I should be the one comforting him. Mason decided to out him in front of everyone but maybe I could have stopped it if I told Alex first.

"It was a long time coming anyway," Troy busies himself with his drink. "He's been bringing us down for months, maybe this is a blessing in disguise."

Luca's eyebrows raise. "You can say that again."

Alex leans forward and kisses my cheek gently. "Do you want to go?"

"No," I shake my head. "Sorry."

"Don't be," he whispers. "We can just ignore him and have a good night anyway. If he bothers us, we don't sink to his level. We'll just leave."

I stare back at him and those soft grey eyes. "Yeah," I smile. "You're right but we're out with our friends and nothing will ruin this evening."

"Come on," Demi beckons us. "Let's go play beer pong. A table just became free."

We hop off the table and walk towards the empty beer pong table as Luca and Troy set up, Alex stands by my side. "So at work today," I say towards him. "Lacey said I should apply for the new project manager role that's just come available."

Alex's eyes widen, lips stretching into a gorgeous smile. "River, that's amazing. Are you going to apply for it?"

I nod. "Yeah, I looked at the job spec this afternoon. It's a lot more work but better pay and I'll be more involved."

He wraps an arm around my waist and tugs me into his body. "You'd be amazing at that job," he comments. "After the performance you did for Liam, you could make anything happen."

My arms close around him and I press a kiss to the crown of his head. "Thank you," I mumble into his hair.

"Hey!" Luca shouts at us.

We spring apart quickly because I know he'll be gunning for us if we show affection one more time.

"Alex you're on my team," he declares. "River, you're on the loser team."

He points to Troy and Alex chuckles beside me before following over to where Luca and Demi are standing. "No fair, we're a man down," Troy grumbles.

Luca curls a brow in his direction. "Should we ask Mason to join?"

"Fair point," he nods. "We don't need another person anyway. We've got this, Riv."

His large hand swats my chest and I smile nodding. "Yeah we do. You're going down." I say as my eyes slide across the three of them at the other end, I focus on Alex, "Especially you."

Alex's eyes gleam with competition. "I'd like to see you try."

❖ ❖ ❖

Read the rest of this book over on Patreon!

You also have access to Luca's book (completed) and the first six chapters of the third book in the series!

www.patreon.com/dreammcatcher
Link is also in bio!

Author's Note

Aw I love them all back together🥹

What did you guys think?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

Eeek who is excited for Luca's book? Age-gap, wealthy man, lots of spice🥵❤️‍🔥

Also fuck Mason, I'm glad they all kicked him out because he not worth it

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