Even the scents swirling in the air—cologne, liquor, and leather—hit me harder.

Gray has trimmed his hair since I last saw him and grown out a light layer of stubble. In his standard uniform of jeans and a faded T-shirt, he manages to make my heart skip a beat. He doesn’t seem to notice—or care—that I’m here as he continues chatting with Harrison.

The uncertainty and trepidation that I’ve been grappling with for the past forty-eight hours since I learned he was back is completely absent on Gray’s face. He’s sporting an easy smile and sipping a beer.

It makes me want to scream. Cry. Kiss someone right in front of him.

Instead, I paste a smile on my face.

Emmett is acting like twenty-seven is a substantial milestone. It’s not just Noah, Gray, and Harrison here. Guys he knows from high school, college, and work are all gathered around the corner table. Most of them I’ve met before.

Sloane and I are greeted enthusiastically—that might have a little something to do with the fact that we’re the only two females in attendance—by the group. Gray is standing on the left side of the table, so I veer toward the right.

I greet Noah first with a hug and a whispered, “Hey, big brother.”

He smiles, then gives me the concerned look he always seems to wear around me now. I move on quickly.

I don’t have many close friends in Charleston. Noah has always been more social than me. Most of my childhood friends moved elsewhere, and none of my friends from college or medical school live here. I work an insane amount of hours. It feels nice to be enveloped in a group of warm, familiar people. Noah’s friends have always treated me like an honorary little sister, for the most part.

Sloane’s phone rings. “Ugh, I have to take this. I’ll be right back.”

I nod as she heads for the door, then allow my eyes to dart where they want to. I look at Gray. He glances over at the same moment. Our eyes lock. I’m not sure if I have a right to be mad at him for not loving me, but I sure as hell am hurt. The emotion exacerbates when he turns back toward Harrison after a few seconds.

I approach Emmett, not allowing my smile to wobble. “Happy birthday!”

“Evie!” He gives me a warm hug. “I’ve barely seen you.”

“Work has been busy.”