Finn comes walking out of the kitchen, picks up the crutch from where it slid off the couch, and props it back into place.
“Did you eat?” he asks, brushing a strand of hair from my forehead.
I grin up at him. “I slayed.”
He chuckles. “No, baby girl. I meant food.”
“Non.” Luc chimes in from the other side of the couch. “ForPetite, it was more important to beat me again and pretend yesterday’s win wasn’t a fluke.”
Toulouse is curled on his lap, snoring softly, and Luc looks way too smug for someone who just got his ass handed to him for my taste.
“Keep talking,” I mutter. “I’ll beat you with the crutch next.”
Finn groans. “Can we please act like adults and at least get some breakfast in you before we start beating each other up?”
Mason strolls in with Bristol perched on his shoulder. Luc gave him the rat for his birthday, and he’s just as cute as Toulouse, though not nearly as sleepy. I simply pretend that the fact that his tail is evenmorenaked doesn’t bother me.
Mason grins and ruffles Luc’s mullet just to piss him off. “Greer, you should already know when Tweedledee’s with Tweedledum,we’vegot to be the adults.”
Finn nods solemnly. “I’m making eggs,” he announces, walking toward the kitchen. “And you’re all gonna eat like actual athletes for once.”
“Thanks, man,” Mason yells, dropping down next to me with a groan like sitting is a sport.
My phone vibrates on the coffee table, and one glance tells me it’s the FaceTime call I’ve been waiting for.
“Finn!” I yell as I scoop it up, and he comes rushing back again, making wide eyes at me when I show him it’s Piper calling. “I hope this is a happy call and not a crying call.”
He presses his lips together like he’s not convinced either, and I swipe to answer. The second Piper’s face pops up, I let out a relieved breath. She’s squealing already, shoving her hand toward the screen so close that it’s blurry, but I already know what I’m seeing.
“Oh my God.” I gasp. “Congratulations!”
When she pulls her hand back a little, we can all see the massive diamond gleaming on her ring finger, which I helped Dane choose.
I launch off the couch with a shriek. “Welcome to the Crews family, bitch!”
Finn chuckles. “Sit down, Al. You’re still healing.”
“Screw that,” I yell, bouncing on the balls of my feet. “My girl just got engaged! To my brother!”
Piper laughs and pulls the phone back even more, so Dane comes into view, holding her close, and grinning against the top of her head like he just won the lottery. A dreamy ocean sunset peeks out behind them, making the whole moment look like a damn movie.
They’re in California, visiting Piper’s family for the holidays. But mostly, it was so Dane could get her dad’sblessing, which he apparently gave him after a serious talk, making my brother almost piss his pants.
Dane told me all about it during our call last night, while I tried to pep-talk him into stop being so nervous and finally getting down on one knee.
I’m still grinning when she says goodbye abruptly, yelling something about calling her sister next.
Fuck.
I can’t even put into words how happy I am for Dane. He deserves every bit of luck coming his way.
Luc grins, nudging my feet with his. “So, you like that?”
I choke on a laugh. “Of course I like that.”
“Want a ring too?” His grin goes wicked, eyes twinkling with mischief. “You could be aDelacroix. Mamanwould love that.”
Mason pushes his shoulder. “If anything, she’s gonna be aPayne.”
