Endless Love

Chapter 3

Blythe set her large cheeseburger back down on her plate so she could chew. The four of them had just walked down the street to a bar and grill type place that was actually really nice. The three men also got food, a lot of it, and she was happy to be the only one not eating.

The stress of being stuck in an elevator for over an hour had nearly melted away, and she was enjoying her rowdy company. It was a little weird how easily they had all clicked, but she wasn't too pressed about it. She figured this dinner would be the last time she would ever see them anyway.

"I'm never taking the elevator again," Blythe commented after their previous conversation lapsed.

"Never?" Paxton teased with a grin. He took a fry from her plate. "What if you had to go to a meeting in a building on the thirtieth floor?"

Josiah opened his mouth to say something, but he thought better of it, taking a drink from his beer instead.

Paxton didn't miss it though. "Let me guess. Your office is on the top floor of a skyscraper."

"Do you see any skyscrapers around here?" Josiah asked.

Blythe laughed quietly. Paxton's grin didn't fade.

All three of them were very handsome now that she could see them in better light. Denver next to her had a shadow of a beard and brown hair. Josiah had longer hair that was darker and reflected the light. Paxton was a dirty blonde with a sharp jawline.

Paxton turned his attention to Denver. "You said you have horses?"

Denver nodded.

"I'd love to paint them," Paxton said, the most serious Blythe had seen him yet.

"You're more than welcome to, anytime," Denver said. "All of you are."

Denver caught her eye and she smiled.

"I'm going to hold you to that," Paxton said, pulling out his phone and passing it to Denver. "Pass it to everybody. I'm making a group chat."

Denver passed the phone to Blythe who then gave it to Josiah.

"Does that mean you want to see each other again?" Denver asked curiously.

"Yes," Paxton answered immediately. "Don't all of you?"

Blythe felt her heart flutter. She couldn't believe she had made three friends when she had struggled for the last two years to just make one.

"Yes," Blythe answered immediately at the same time Josiah and Denver answered, too.

"I think we need to plan our next get together right now," Josiah said, leaning back in his chair. "We all get too busy, and it just won't ever happen."

"You're right," Denver agreed.

"How about right here, next Thursday? One week from today," Paxton decided.

The group agreed.

Josiah stood up, disappearing towards the bathroom.

Denver folded his arms, placing them on the table.

"I'm sure I got another parking ticket," Blythe sighed, taking the last sip of her soda. The sugar was much needed.

Denver gave a deep, unexpected chuckle, one that sent shivers down her spine.

"If you come back to the courthouse, that's where I'll be," Paxton said .

Their waitress came back, collecting their dishes.

"Can we get the check please?" Denver asked.

"It's already been taken care of," she said. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

Denver shook his head no. She disappeared just as Josiah reappeared.

"Josiah," Paxton said, his voice a gentle scold. "You didn't have to pay for our stuff."

"It's okay," he said back. "I wanted to."

"Thank you," Blythe told him. Josiah gave her a gentle look, his lips turning up slightly.

Denver and Paxton thanked him too.

The four of them stood up. Denver put on his hat, pulling it low over his eyes.

Blythe didn't miss the way that the three men captured people's attention. It was a bit unnerving.

"I'll walk you to your car," Denver told Blythe.

She was a little sad to see the night end.