Grace freezes, panicked.“This Saturday?”
I smile reassuringly.
“Yeah. Dinner and a movie?” Caleb continues.
Her shoulders relax slightly, and her face lights up.“Yes!”
“Pick you up at seven?” Caleb’s smile grows.
“Okay,” Grace nods.
“Can’t wait.” Caleb winks at her, then turns and joins his friends at their table. We overhear them teasing him:“Dead man walking,” one says, while another claps him on the shoulder. Caleb just shakes his head, sits down, and keeps his eyes on Grace.
She glances at me, worry flickering in her eyes.“But my brothers…”
I give her hand a reassuring squeeze.“Don’t worry about your brothers. I’ll talk to them tonight. You just concentrate on your date.”
Grace beams, relief flooding her face.“He clearly knows about your brothers but still asked you out. That’s what you need!”
I smile, and Grace nods.“A knight who isn’t afraid to face the dragon to get to his princess,” she says dreamily, staring at him.
“Well… more like dragons,” I smirk and she groans.
Summer comes over, humming a love song softly.“Oh, to be young and in love!”
I shake my head.“We’re only twenty-three, Summer!”
We all laugh together, the warmth of the café and the joy of the moment wrapping around us. Grace sits back, her hands still tingling from the thrill, and I can tell this is a memory she’ll treasure forever
CHAPTER 9
Penelope
At dinner, we’re all seated at the large wooden table, the aroma of roasted chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and warm bread filling the room. The table is alive with chatter, laughter, and playful teasing, the clinking of silverware punctuating the conversation. Candles flicker, casting soft golden light over the family gathered here, Josh at the head, Lily on his left, Grace chattering excitedly, and the boys leaning into every opportunity to banter with each other.“I love the name you chose for the foal, Penny!” Ethan beams, practically vibrating with enthusiasm.
Cas smiles, though his eyes are fixed on me, making me look down at my plate as my stomach flutters. Sometimes I swear those eyes see straight through me, reading my thoughts and all my hidden feelings.“It fits him,” he says simply.
“It seemed like a good name for someone who kept falling but never stopped getting back up,” I reply to Ethan, trying to ignore Cas’s gaze.
“Just like Sunset,” Cas murmurs.
I look up at him, startled.“What?”
“Sunsets are proof that change can be beautiful. No matter what happened during the day, the world keeps turning, and orange light finds a way to shine through.” His grin sharpens, teasing yet soft, and my chest flutters.
“That’s beautiful,” I whisper, trying to keep my voice steady.
Ethan nudges him with a grin.“If that’s true… I’m officially renaming you Butterfingers.”
Cas arches a brow.“Butterfingers?”
Ethan leans back, mock-serious.“Yeah. You always drop the ball when we play football. Everyone knows it.”
Cas glares, smirk tugging at his lips.“I kicked your ass the last time, fucker!”
Lily sets her fork down, eyes wide.“Casper Hawthorne! Watch your language!”
“Sorry, Mama,” he says, eyes twinkling with mischief, letting the charm slide just enough to make me blush.
