Hannah's POV
"Penny! This looks amazing!" I say, genuinely stunned as I step into the Saloon. The birthday banner she strung across the bar looks like something out of a Pinterest board—hand-lettered, color-coordinated, the works. It's the kind of detail that makes everything feel warmer. Like this little bar at the edge of nowhere is actually a place where someone like Alex could belong.
"Are you sure it's not too much?" Penny asks, chewing her lip, clearly spiraling into overthinking mode.
"It's perfect," I assure her. "Really. He's gonna love it."
Alex isn't the easiest person to read—too guarded, too cocky—but underneath it all, I know he wants this. To feel like he has a family again, even if he'd never say that out loud.
I head over to the bar and hand Gus the carton of eggs I brought. His face lights up like I just gave him a winning lottery ticket.
"Well it ain't my birthday," he chuckles, "but I am the host, so I'll gladly accept the offering."
He laughs at his own joke a bit too hard, crow's feet crinkling like the spine of an old book. I can't help but laugh with him.
"Thanks, Hannah," he says warmly. "I'll whip up a batch of my famous omelets for tomorrow's brunch crowd."
Pam slams her mug down behind him. "I love that omelet!" she shouts, already demanding another pint.
Gus raises his brows at me with a tired smile. "Duty calls."
As he heads behind the bar to help Emily, who's elbow-deep in glassware and slowly losing her mind over Shane's never-ending tab, I make my way toward the backroom.
Sam and Sebastian are already at the pool table. Sebastian hasn't even tried to dress up—black hoodie, black jeans, eternal scowl—but that's just him. If he ever wore color, the world might end.
"Where's Penny?" Sam asks, visibly sweating.
"She's finishing the last of the decorations," I say, biting back a grin. He's practically vibrating.
"Good, I just... I want to make sure she's comfortable, you know?" Sam rushes. "She hates the Saloon. Because of her mom. And the drinking. I just—I mean I like her and—why am I telling you all this?"
I laugh and pat his back. "Because you're nervous and bad at hiding it."
Sebastian doesn't even look up from the pool table. "He hasn't exhaled in two hours."
I glance over to see Abigail on the couch, nursing a beer like it's water. She raises her can at me.
"Finally. Another girl. I was drowning in testosterone," she says.
Sebastian smirks. "Remember when you called Hannah a Mormon?"
My jaw drops. "Wait, what?"
Abigail's eyes widen in horror. "Sebastian! I didn't—I only said you wore a lot of dresses!"
I laugh. "It's fine. Been called worse."
Elliot suddenly appears beside me, somehow looking like a romance novel cover brought to life. Flowing red hair, white button-down that probably smells like poetry and old books.
"A wine for the lady," he says smoothly.
"Oh. Uh. Thank you," I say, surprised.
"You never bring me wine," Abigail mutters.
"I was fetching Leah's," Elliot explains with a smile. "Figured I hadn't properly introduced myself to Stardew's newest farmer."
"Sure. Testosterone. Drowning," Abigail mutters again.
I catch Sebastian glancing over. Just for a second. Then he quickly looks back at the pool table like it personally offended him.
"You want something to drink, Seb?" I ask, trying to break the tension in the air.
He shakes his head. "I don't drink."
"Me neither," I say. "I just didn't want to be rude."
He glances at the wine in my hand, then at me. "I would've said no for you."
His words sit between us longer than they should, just long enough for my cheeks to betray me. I'm saved by the doorbell chime.
The room stills.
Alex walks in, his hair tousled, a little damp from the evening fog. His eyes scan the room—and widen when he sees the banner. Everyone shouts, "Surprise!"
He freezes, brows furrowing in that familiar what-the-hell look he always wears when feelings sneak up on him. Then, slowly, his lips curve into a smile. A real one. No swagger, no smugness—just gratitude.
"This is all for me?" he says, voice quiet in a way that makes it hit harder.
"Happy early birthday, my boy!" Gus calls out.
Alex drifts through the room, hugging people like it's muscle memory. He stops in front of me, eyes catching mine across the space, and for a second, everything else blurs. His smile softens. And mine answers, like it always does.
He pulls me into a hug, and it catches me off guard. He smells like pine and cheap cologne and summer air. His arms are solid and warm, and I almost forget to breathe.
"Happy birthday," I whisper.
His cheek is warm when we pull apart, a little pink despite his tan. He glances past me.
"Happy birthday, Alex," Abigail says, giving him a quick, awkward hug.
Sebastian doesn't move. Just gives a half-hearted lift of his pool stick in greeting.
"Thanks, y'all," Alex says, rubbing the back of his neck. "Didn't expect all this."
"Well, you can thank my beautiful wife," Sam blurts, half-drunk and swaying.
"Wife?" Sebastian raises a brow.
"Did I say that out loud?" Sam panics, turning crimson.
Penny didn't hear. She's still chatting with Robin and Demetrius, blissfully unaware. Probably for the best. For now.
Alex takes a seat on the couch, giving me a look that trails down my dress and back up with a smile that's a little too smooth. My palms start sweating just as the door chimes again.
"Did I miss it?" sings a familiar voice. Haley. Of course.
"Oh, here we go," Abigail groans.
Haley glides in, blonde hair perfect, outfit flawless, like she walked off the set of a perfume commercial. She looks around like the Saloon is beneath her.
"Happy birthday," she says to Alex, sitting next to him on the couch with a grimace.
"Thanks, Hales," he replies easily.
I feel a pair of eyes on me. I turn—Sebastian is watching me. Not glaring. Just... watching. Like he's trying to figure something out. Or maybe like he already has. My cheeks warm, and I look away.
In a room full of noise and people, I've never been more aware of the tension buzzing beneath the surface—between Alex, Sebastian, and me.
And somehow, I know this night's just the beginning, definitely a surprise party.
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CHtYhFcL7
