Hallie links an arm through Ben’s, smiling. “Look at them, Benji. I’m pretty sure whatever’s going on here has been going on for longer than that.”
“If anyone did this, it’s me,” Jeremy says, coming around to stand next to us. “I had Liv come meet me at the bar that night to talk to her about the gala. This gala. The one I’m in charge of and convinced the board to switch from July to Christmas at the stadium so Liv could cater it. And Brian’s my brother.” He crosses his arms, his face so satisfied that I have to laugh.
“Oh really…” Liv drawls, turning to Jeremy. “You mean you didn’t just decide on a holiday theme on a whim?”
“Shit,” Jeremy mutters.
“Shit is right,” Emma says. “I told you, you should have just told her the truth about changing everything around so she could do the catering. You’re a shit liar, Jer. Always have been.”
Jeremy swings an arm around Emma’s shoulders and dips his head to kiss her. “I know, but look at them, Pretty Girl. They’re so happy and cute and together and stuff. I may have lied a teeny tiny bit, but if I hadn’t, she wouldn’t have come to the bar that night and wouldn’t have had to stay over at the loft when it snowed and then maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Hang the fuck on!” Gabe’s tone is the equivalent of a toddler stamping his foot during a tantrum, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
“Something you want to say, Gabe?” Olivia asks.
“You.” He points to me. “And her? You’re what, like, together or something?”
Olivia leans back against me, her eyes on her brother. “We sure are.”
Gabe’s eyes bounce between me and Olivia again. “But you’re my sister. And you’re my best fucking friend.” His gaze lands on me. “You’re dating my sister, and you didn’t tell me? My much younger sister who is one of my favorite people on the planet and deserves the entire world?”
I can practically feel Olivia’s eyes roll. “Fuck off with that stern daddy shit, Gabriel. I’m all gown up now. I can date anyone I want, and I want him. I like him. He likes me. No one was hiding anything. Mostly. We were going to tell you after the gala. Sorry we kind of jumped the gun, but, like, look at him.” She waves a hand behind her, and this time I do laugh.
“Honestly, relatable,” Molly says, sliding an arm through Gabe’s. “Gabe in a tux does something to me, too.”
“So relatable.” Amelia takes Gabe’s other side, grinning at us. “And I love you, Gabe, but you couldn’t do stern daddy for all the money in the world. You’re way too cheerful for that.”
“That’s what you think,” Molly mutters, her suddenly heated eyes raking over Gabe.
Gabe blows out a breath, shaking his head like he’s trying to reorder his thoughts before looking at us. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like a mob boss threatening you for, like, laying a hand on my sister or whatever. You just surprised me. I love you both, and if you’re happy than I’m happy.”
“I’m happy, Gabe,” Olivia says quietly, and the seriousness in her voice has my heart pounding. “Really, really happy.”
“She’s my whole world, Gabe. You understand.” We look at each other for a beat, and I know he does. Because love recognizes love, and the love I have for Olivia is so enormous it’s like I can reach out and touch it.
Gabe nods, smile playing over his lips. “I do. I’m happy for you. Both of you. I guess our web just got a little more tangled.”
Olivia laughs, breaking away from me to wrap her arms around her brother. “Thanks, Gabey. And besides, nothing is really different, except that Brian and I kiss now.”
“And so, so much more,” I say under my breath, giving Gabe a sly grin.
Gabe makes a strangled noise that has everyone except him laughing. “No,” he says, pointing at us both. “I don’t need to know about the kissing, or whatever more you’re talking about that I’m going to pretend I don’t know about, and I definitely don’t need to see it. And don’t call me Gabey. I hate that nickname.”
“I know,” Olivia says, her voice filled with humor. “And you maul Molly on the regular, so don’t talk to me about kissing.”
“Sorry, Gabe, she’s got you there,” Molly says, kissing his cheek. “Let her live.”
Amelia raises an eyebrow at Gabe and turns to Elliot, kissing him thoroughly and making him laugh and tug her against him, prolonging the kiss. “Definitely let her live. And besides, making Gabe crazy with all the kissing is half the fun.”
“I hate all of you,” Gabe grumbles, sliding an arm around Molly’s waist.
“You looooove us,” Olivia says with a smile.
Gabe drops his head back and groans. “I’m taking my girl to go get a drink and to bleach my brain of thoughts of my baby sisters kissing people. Especially people who are my best friends. I swear it’s not personal,” he says, looking at me and then Elliot. “But it never won’t be weird. They were little ten minutes ago.”
He goes to walk away but then turns back, crashing into me with a giant hug. “I’m glad it’s you,” he says quietly. “You’re one of the best people I know, and I’m really glad it’s you.”
“I’m glad it’s me too,” I manage, weirdly emotional all of a sudden. “I’ll be good to her. I swear. She really is my whole damn world.”
