Page 113 of Love so Hot
We gather around the dining table. Roman retrieves a deck of cards from the cabinet and begins shuffling, while Victor and Sebastian arrange the chairs. The familiar routine of setting up the game brings a sense of normalcy.
As we start the first hand, Roman grins. “Remember that time we played poker at Victor’s place and he accidentally set his rug on fire?”
Victor groans. “Do you have to bring that up every time we play?”
“It’s a classic!” Roman insists, dealing the cards. “You were so drunk that you tried to put it out with orange juice.”
We all laugh, the memory lightening the mood. “Yeah, and the smell was so bad,” I add.
The game continues, with Roman leading the charge in sharing embarrassing stories from our past. Each tale is met with laughter, the tension in the room dissolving with each round.
“Speaking of embarrassing,” Victor says, glancing at Roman. “How’s the latest girlfriend, Roman? Or should I say girlfriends?”
Roman rolls his eyes, but there’s a smile playing on his lips. “At least I’m not like Stone Cold Victor over here, too icy to bother with women.”
Victor chuckles. “Hey, I just haven’t found the right one.”
Sebastian joins in, a rare grin on his face. “And yet, you’re always the one giving romantic advice.”
The banter continues as we play, the camaraderie of old friends bringing a warmth to the evening that had been missing for a long time. The game progresses with friendly competition, the pile of chips shifting between us.
In the end, it’s Sebastian who wins. He leans back with a satisfied smirk. “Luck of the draw,” he says, collecting his winnings.
We laugh and start packing up the cards and chips. It's late, and the exhaustion of the day begins to set in.
“We should get some sleep,” Victor suggests. “We’ve got early flights tomorrow.”
One by one, we head to our rooms. As I lie in bed, I feel a sense of peace that has been absent for weeks. The visit from my friends, their support and laughter, has lightened the burden I’ve been carrying.
The next morning, we gather in the kitchen for a quick breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, mingling with the smell of toast and scrambled eggs. Roman is at the stove, flipping pancakes with an exaggerated flourish, while Victor sets the table. Sebastian sips his coffee, reading the news on his phone.
“Morning, everyone,” I say, joining them. I pour myself a cup of coffee, the warmth of the mug comforting in my hands.
Victor looks up with a smile. “Morning. Sleep well?”
“Better than I have in a while, thanks to you guys,” I reply, taking a seat at the table.
As we eat, the conversation turns to lighter topics—upcoming projects, travel plans, and the latest sports scores. It’s not long before Roman, ever the instigator, brings the focus back to my situation.
“So,” he says, pouring syrup over his pancakes, “have you figured out what you’re going to do about Willow?”
I chuckle, taking a sip of my coffee. “You mean after all the conflicting advice you guys gave me last night?”
Victor grins. “Yeah, we did kind of throw a lot at you.”
“I think I have a path forward,” I say, keeping my tone light. “Despite your best efforts to confuse me.”
Roman leans forward, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. “You chose my suggestion, didn’t you?”
I shake my head, smiling. “Let’s just say it’s better left unsaid for now. I need to work out a few details first.”
Sebastian raises an eyebrow. “Mysterious as always.”
We finish our breakfast, the easy camaraderie of old friends filling the room. As we clear the table, there’s a sense of finality, knowing that they’ll soon be heading back to their respective lives.
In the entryway, we exchange hugs and handshakes. “Thanks for coming, guys. It really means a lot,” I say sincerely.
“Anytime,” Victor replies. “Just remember, we’re only a phone call away.”