CHAPTER 56

  Christopher's POV

  I stepped into the bar, the familiar scent of whiskey and polished wood washing over me. The place was buzzing with the usual night crowd, but my eyes quickly found my friends at our regular table. Joshua, Andrew, and Emilia were already deep in conversation, their laughter carrying across the room.

  "Well, well, well. Look who decided to grace us with his presence," Joshua called out as I approached.

  I grinned, sliding into the empty chair. "Miss me?"

  Emilia rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. We were starting to forget what you looked like."

  "Ouch," I chuckled, signaling the waiter for my usual scotch. "I didn't realize I'd been gone that long."

  Andrew's eyebrows raised. "Dude, we haven't seen you in weeks. What's the deal? Got a new yacht to sail? Another island to buy?"

  I laughed at his exaggeration. "If only. Just been swamped with work, you know how it is."