“Yeah.” She stepped closer, tucking herself against my side and resting her cheek against my bicep. “Murphy’s my guy.”
Hearing her say it out loud—claiming me like that, her body pressed unmistakably against mine—short-circuited something in my brain.
Last night, she’d admitted to having feelings for me. But admitting it to her brother?
That was different.
That was real.
That was her choosing me, publicly, without hesitation.
My throat went tight, and I had to look down at the ground for a second, blinking hard. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, pressing my lips to the top of her head because I couldn’t not touch her, couldn’t not acknowledge what she’d just done.
“Since when?” Colin asked, his brows drawing together as he looked between us, like he was trying to put together a puzzle but half of the pieces were missing.
Stella shifted her weight and wrapped her arms around my middle. “Officially? A few days ago, but … ” She trailed off, her gaze dropping to the ground. “Things kind of changed for me last year, around Thanksgiving.”
Colin's mouth fell open. “A year ago!”
I felt her head move against my chest as she nodded. “Yeah.”
“And you didn’t say anything?” I caught the flash of hurt on his face before he tried to cover it with a forced smile. He shoved his hands in his pockets, his shoulders hunching slightly. “I mean, I’m your brother, Stel. I thought we told each other stuff.”
Stella lifted a shoulder. “I didn’t know what it was at first. And then I did, and it scared the shit out of me, so I ignored it. I toldmyselfit wasn’t happening.”
“Until New Year’s Eve,” I added quietly.
Her eyes flicked up to mine, and something soft passed between us.
“Until New Year’s Eve,” she agreed.
Colin let out a low whistle, some of the hurt fading from his expression. “This is wild. I didn’t think you’d ever actually?—”
“Want to jump his bones?” Stella supplied dryly.
“I was gonna say give him a shot, but yeah, that too.”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, I did. And here we are.”
“Here we are,” I echoed, pulling her into my body.
Colin’s face suddenly split into the widest grin I’d ever seen. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted you two idiots to get together?”
“We’re not idiots,” Stella muttered.
“You absolutely are. But you’remyidiots, and I love you both, and I’m so fucking happy right now I could cry.”
“Please don’t,” Stella said.
“No promises.” He pulled out his phone. “I gotta tell Zach.”
“Colin—” Stella started.
“Too late. Already sent.” He pocketed his phone and looked between us, his expression turning serious for a second. “For real, though. You guys are going to be so good together. Like, really good. Do me a favor, and don’t fuck it up.”
“We won’t,” I assured him, my voice firm.
And I meant it. I’d move heaven and earth to be what this woman needed. Whatever it took—patience, space, time, reassurance—I’d give it to her. No question.
