Making my way toward the bar, I weave around the various groups of people hanging out along the way. It’s crowded as fuck in here, and there isn’t an opening at the bar, so I pull out my phone and browse social media while I wait for my turn.

Out of nowhere, I’m shoved forward, my phone falling to the ground. Whipping my head around, my gaze lands on a very fucking familiar pair of hazelnut eyes. He looks about as shocked as I feel.

“Shit. Cash, I’m sorry. It’s so crowded.” He laughs awkwardly.

My gaze shifts to his left. A woman who could be his twin stands beside him, with a giant of a man in a leather cut and a flannel beside her. Must be his sister, but no clue who the guy is.

“It’s all good.” I offer a fake smile before bending down and grabbing my phone, which thankfully isn’t cracked or broken. It’s so fucking packed in here, it easily could’ve gotten stepped on.

When I stand up, the woman beside him is looking quizzically at me. She smiles genuinely before looking at Stone and clearing her throat, clearly wanting an introduction. Great. This should be fun.

“Cash, this is my sister, Molly, and her husband, Julian. Guys, this is Cash. He’s, uh. He’s a new professor at the university.”

“Hey, y’all. It’s nice to meet you,” I offer politely. Desperately wanting to get the fuck out of here.

“Cash!” his sister booms. “It’s so nice to meet you too!” She’s chipper as fuck, her eyes practically sparkling as she takes me in. Her husband says nothing, just nods his head at me with a smirk on his face. They’re both looking at me like they know a secret I’m not privy to. Which makes me wonder if Stone ever told them about us.

Not that it fucking matters.

“What can I get you, hun?” Spinning around, I see the bartender looking at me.

Shit, what did they want again? “Uh, can I get a Crown and Coke, two vodka crans, and an IPA?”

“Sure thing, doll. And you guys?”

“Oh, we aren’t togeth—” I’m cut off mid-sentence by Stone’s deep, gruff voice.

“Put it all on one tab. I got it.”

I whip my head around, meeting his gaze. “No. That’s not necessary. I got it.”

“Cash, it’s not a big deal.” He peers over my shoulder to the bartender. “Add two whiskeys on the rocks and another vodka cran to that, please.”

Un-fucking-believable. Why is this happening?! Now I have to sit here with all three of them while the bartender makes a whole damn tray of drinks. This is just fucking great.

“So, Cash,” Molly starts. “How are you liking Texas so far?”