A knock comes at the door, pulling us apart.Sterling gives us enough time to separate before inching it open.It’s a relief to see Louis on the other side.
“Some of the farmers’ sons broke into the distillery, and this was their idea of a joke.They’ve been taken home now.Nothing more to worry about.”
Oh, thank God.
“Best we all get some sleep before tomorrow,” he says and excuses himself.
“Well,” I start, unsure of what to do now.
Neither Lucky nor Sterling makes a move to leave.
“After you,” Sterling says, waving Lucky toward the closed door.
“Be my guest.”Lucky steps between us.“Unless you’re worried about leaving us alone?”
Silence.
“Or perhapsjealousis a better word,” Lucky adds.
Nothing.
I’m frozen in place as Lucky steps closer to Sterling.Even from a distance, it’s clear how hard he is breathing.
“I wonder,” Lucky says, “what do you imagine we would do if you left us?Would we stop at a kiss?A touch?Can you picture it?”He comes to a stop, less than an arm’s length left between them.
All at once, I notice they are the same height.Eyes, nose, mouth … all aligned.I know how soft Lucky’s lips are, and now I want nothing more than to see them fit between Sterling’s own.
Separately, they’re handsome, but together …
I’m entranced.
“Which of us would you be more envious of?”Lucky asks.
The tension snaps.Sterling surges forward, gripping two large fists of Lucky’s tunic, their faces a breath apart.“Why are you so insistent on this?It’s none of your business.”
Despite the snarl aimed at him, Lucky is undeterred.“Because I recognize the fight in your eyes.I’ve been there too.Don’t pass up on the chance of happiness that is being offered to you.”
Carefully, as though the floor is littered with broken glass, I make my way to them.“Is it true?Are you truly jealous?”I can hardly believe it.
He lets Lucky go, dropping his head.“It does not matter.You are in love with another, betrothed, and I have accepted that.”Sterling’s words are rough, torn from him.
“I wish you’d said something.I didn’t know … I thought …” My hands tremble.“I’ve loved you in some shape or form ever since we met.I buried it because I was certain you’d never feel the same, but it’s only grown, and my only consolation was that I wouldn’t have to decide between you two.”
“You’re wrong, Mia.”Sterling comes over, cupping my cheek.“No one could love you more deeply than me.”
“Why would you have to decide?”Lucky says, surprising us both.A smile plays on his lips.He toys with Sterling’s collar, and I clearly hear the hitch in Sterling’s breath.“Have us both.”
Then Lucky kisses him.
* * *
Ahhh!They did it, they kissed!
I hear wedding bells(go to 63)
The wedding is intimate.Lucky shines in a golden embroidered tunic, silk draped over one shoulder and cascading to the floor.
When we brought the news to Louis, he threw his head back and released an exasperated cheer.There was no surprise, and as he binds our hands together—forever connecting Sterling, Lachlan, and me—his eyes are fond.Welcoming.
