By the time I’m in the lobby of our building there’s no sign of him anywhere. I put on my sunglasses with the hope that they disguise how upset I am.
Why does he have to be such a good kisser? If he’d been bad, at least I wouldn’t still want him.
Sierra leads me up the stairway that will take us to the roof while Rian carries the cake behind us.
We push through the door that says ‘Roof Access’ and there sits Dylan and Seth on a set of lawn chairs with a table between them. Sierra plugs a cord into the wall and a string of lights come to life around us. A view of Cliffton Heights at twilight spreads out around us and the sunset in the far distance that paints the sky in shades of orange, yellow, and amber steals my breath.
Despite a confusing end to my workday, a feeling of bliss and rightness wraps around me. I’m where I’m supposed to be.
“Congratulations!” Seth and Dylan say in unison, standing from their chairs and deserting their beers on the table.
They each come and give me a tight hug. I’m grateful that they’ve enveloped me in their friends group so easily. I needed this with the crossroads I’m at in my life right now. Good friends, new job, and new town.
“Thank you all so much,” I say.
Rian puts the cake down and Dylan swipes his finger along the frosting.
“Dylan,” Rian says without any fight in her voice. She really needs to stop putting him up on some pedestal like he’s too good for her.
Seth sits down and kicks a chair out. “Take a load off.”
I sit down and Seth puts a wine glass in front of me, pouring a glass of rosé that he got from the cooler at his feet.
“Do you guys always hang out up here?” I ask.
“When the weather’s nice. Fall and spring nights are the best,” Seth says.
“It can get really hot up here in the summer during the afternoon, but this time of day is nice,” Sierra says, holding her glass out for Seth. He finishes pouring mine and then pours hers.
“Always with the glass half empty.” Seth rolls his eyes at her.
“Whatever, bagel boy.” Sierra takes the seat across from me, leaving the one next to me open for Rian to take since it’s the closest to Dylan. Seth can say what he wants, but Sierra’s always been a good friend.
“Bagel boy?” I ask, not understanding the reference.
“Seth’s parents own Andrews Bagel Co.” Dylan nods at his friend.
“Shut up!” I hit Seth square in the arm. He sits back, rubbing the spot I hit. “Oh… sorry. Three brothers.”
“Did they make you lift weights with them? I’m embarrassed to say it kind of hurt.” He continues to rub at his arm.
Dylan laughs. “He’s a wimp.”
“Have her hit you.” Seth nudges me.
“Don’t worry, eventually she will.” Sierra smiles over the rim of her wine glass.
“Why the excitement about Andrews Bagel Co.?” Rian changes the topic.
“Oh.” I set my wine down. “The guy from work… he brought me a bagel today from Andrews Bagel Co. and it’s funny because I’d brought him one from The Bagel Place.”
Seth’s hand slams down on the table. “I’m sorry, you did what? You went to The Bagel Place?”
“Bad move, Blanca,” Dylan says, humor lighting in his eyes.
“Why?” I look between the two of them, confused.
“They’re his arch nemesis.” Sierra laughs and Seth shoots her a glare that would cause a younger person to whither.
“The families have an on-going feud,” Dylan explains. “The only bagels around here are Andrews Bagel Co. bagels.”
Seth clears his throat. “Because ours are ten times better than The Bagel Place.”
“Okay, so only Andrews Bagel Co. from today on.” I put my hands up in front of me in a placating gesture.
“Glad we’ve come to an understanding.” Seth leans back in his chair and sips his beer. “Your work crush sounds like he’s a winner though.” He winks.
“Because he eats your family’s bagels?” Sierra asks.
Seth sets his gaze on her. “Yes. That’s enough in my book.”
“I’m not sure your opinion matters,” Sierra says with a smirk.
Dylan’s phone rings and he pulls it out, silencing it immediately.
“The shop?” Rian asks.
Dylan shakes his head and he gives her a look that says drop the subject. Both of their attention flickers to Sierra for a moment, so I can only assume it must be Sigmund since Dylan and Sierra’s ex are still friends.
“PIZZA!” Knox walks out onto the roof with a stack of pizza boxes.
For the rest of the night, I find out a lot more about my new group of friends—Dylan really can consume half a cake all by himself and Rian’s eyes fill with hearts watching him do so. Seth is a man’s man even with him saying me hitting him hurt, and he and Sierra might bicker, but they’re close as evidenced when they team up against Knox and me in a game of beer pong.
By the time the sun is completely set and darkness fills the sky along with stars, I’m exhausted from my first week in a new place.
“We’re heading out. Anyone wanna join us?” Dylan asks.
Knox has the empty pizza boxes in his arms.
“Nah, I’m done for tonight.” Sierra sits down next to me in the chair, leaning her head on my shoulder. I swear I see relief on his face after she speaks.
I decide to follow the guys down to get another bottle of rosé, and they stop me outside my apartment door. Dylan places his hand on my back.
“Hey, we’re going out with Sigmund. Can you maybe keep Sierra in for tonight? I mean, Cliffton Heights is too small for us not to run in to each other at the few places open at this hour. And I’m not in the mood for a fight.”
I nod. “I don’t think she wants to go anywhere.”
Seth and Knox eye one another. “I thought you guys were friends. Sierra gets a second wind eventually. She’s never down for the count,” Seth says and Knox nods in agreement.
“Okay, I’ll try my best.” I open the apartment door.
“One day I’d love for you to meet Sig. I think the two of you would get along great.” Dylan leans over and gives me a hug and the other two guys follow suit. They’re lucky I’m Italian and used to affection.
“Well, he’s already been clearly marked off limits.” I chuckle.
Dylan nods. “I’m talking about a friendship.”
I shake my head. “Have a great night guys.”
“You too.”
I enter the apartment, grab the bottle of rosé and I rush back to the rooftop where Sierra’s put on a 90s playlist and is now dancing.
Rian looks over at me. “Sierra has her second wind.”
I sit down next to Rian, pouring her a glass. “I’ve been warned to keep her in.”
“I figured,” Rian says. “I’m glad you moved here.” She smiles at me and a warm feeling heats my chest.
I return her smile. “Me too.”
We lean back in our chairs and watch Sierra dance around enjoying life. I haven’t been this happy in a long time.