The idea to celebrate had come naturally—almost too naturally.
Sarah had barely let me get the words “We’re engaged” out before she declared we needed a proper night out. And for the first time in what felt like forever, I actually wanted to go. Not out of obligation, not to drown in my own mess, but to celebrate. To enjoy something good.
We had all been through hell—me, Logan, Sarah, Jake, Alyssa. The last year had been a cycle of heartbreak, loss, and chaos. But now? For the first time, things were right. And I wanted to soak in every second of it.
So, we ended up at Maria’s bar.
The last time I was here, I had been someone entirely different. That night, I had let Logan pull me into a haze of alcohol and whispered confessions. And that night had led to everything—the pregnancy, the lies, the pain, the loss.
Since then, I hadn’t touched a single drink.
And tonight wouldn’t be any different.
I was here for the people. For the warmth of my friends. For the feeling of something finally being whole again.
As soon as we walked in, Maria’s eyes lit up from behind the bar.
“Well, well, look at you,” she called out, wiping her hands on a rag before placing them on her hips. “You’re glowing, kid.”
I laughed, sliding onto a stool while the others found a table. “I hope that’s a compliment.”
“It is.” Her smile softened as she leaned forward. “I was worried about you, Emma. We all were.”
I swallowed, a lump forming in my throat. Maria wasn’t just someone I worked with; she had been one of the only constants in my life through all the chaos. She knew things—maybe not everything, but enough to see through the masks I had worn over the months.
“I know,” I admitted. “And I appreciate that.”
She smirked. “So? Are you just here to rub your happiness in my face, or do I finally get to hear the details?”
I rolled my eyes, but my smile didn’t fade. “Logan and I are engaged.”
Maria’s brows shot up. “No shit?”
“No shit.”
A rare, wide grin spread across her face. “Damn. I mean, I saw it coming, but still… you sure you’re ready for this, kid?”
I let out a breath, glancing toward Logan, who was laughing with Jake and Sarah at the table. My heart clenched in the best way.
“Yeah,” I said softly. “I’m sure.”
Maria studied me for a long moment before nodding in approval. “Good. You deserve good things, Emma.”
I opened my mouth to thank her, but before I could, she casually dropped a sentence that made my breath hitch.
“Oh, by the way, I own this place now.”
I blinked. “Wait, what?”
Maria laughed at my reaction, resting her elbows on the counter. “Yeah, I bought it. Well—technically, Mr. Torres sold it to me. Said it was time for him to move on.”
Something cold trickled down my spine. Move on?
I swallowed. “Why?”
Maria hesitated for a second before shrugging. “He left the city. Said it was best for Caleb.”
My fingers tightened around the edge of the bar. “Caleb left?”
She nodded, as if this was just another ordinary conversation and not something that was about to send me spiraling. “Yeah. Apparently, his dad pulled some strings, got him into Clae—he’s taking pre-med.”
The words crashed into me like a wave, leaving me stunned.
Caleb. At Clae.
Clae was one of the best pre-med programs in the country. The same school I had once dreamed of going to.
Caleb was… moving on.
Maria must have noticed my reaction because her voice softened. “Crazy, huh?”
I forced a smile. “Yeah. Crazy.”
The room suddenly felt too loud. Too full.
Caleb. After everything. After all the damage, all the pain, all the silence. He was going to be a doctor?
I had spent months tearing myself apart over what happened to him. The guilt of what I had done—of what we had done—had nearly crushed me. I had convinced myself I had ruined his life.
But he had found a way forward.
I didn’t have to carry this anymore.
I took a slow breath, steadying myself before looking up at Maria with a genuine smile.
“Thank you for telling me,” I said softly.
She tilted her head. “You okay?”
I nodded.
Then I let it go.
The night continued. We talked, we laughed, and despite the lingering thoughts of Caleb, I didn’t let them steal this moment from me.
I stepped outside for some air, letting the cool night wash over me.
And then I saw them.
Jake. Sarah.
Kissing.
I blinked.
Jake had her pressed against the brick wall, his hands cupping her face like she was something rare, something precious. And Sarah—who never let her guard down—was holding onto him just as desperately, her fingers tangled in his hair like she was terrified to let go.
I spun around, my lips twitching.
Well, that was unexpected.