She hasn’t met them yet. They haven’t met her. My mom can be intrusive and loves to give backhanded compliments. My dadis judgmental and self-righteous, all in the name of his religion. I still may end up pissed off and storming out.
“I know how much Sadie’s wedding means to you.” Aurora’s eyes search mine. “And she wants you to be here above all else.”
Between my two sisters, I’ve always felt closest to Sadie. She’s the youngest—nearly five years younger than me—so it’s only natural I look after her.
Jax joins us, tilting his head back to admire the pink three-story townhouse with its ornate white trim and wrought-iron balconies. “I’ve never been to Charleston. It’s beautiful. If anything, we’ll have a fun babymoon.” He shrugs.
Ethan steps up beside him. “No matter what, we leave here together. We have Christmas together. We go on with our lifetogether.”
I twist the diamond in my ear and release a heavy exhale. Never did I imagine these three with me—supporting me—during my first return home in years. “My parents will be at the rehearsal dinner tomorrow,” I warn as I guide them toward Sadie’s porch. “They’ll have opinions about everything. Just ignore them.”
The door swings open, and I hear my sister’s shriek before seeing her.
Bright-eyed and beaming, she launches herself at Aurora, wrapping her arms around her neck. “You’re here!”
“Oh.” Aurora stumbles backward, cheeks flushed.
I steady her with a hand on her lower back. “Careful, Sades. If you hurt her, Ethan will never let her come again,” I joke—partly.
“Sorry.” She pulls away to examine Aurora’s baby bump. “I’m so excited to meet you! My brother tells me absolutely nothing. I was shocked when you called. I still can’t believe you’re dating.”
“It’s fine.” Aurora gives her a warm smile. “I’m glad to be here.”
Sadie turns her attention to Ethan and Jackson. “And these must be your other…partners?” she asks me, not Aurora, a genuine question in her tone, her brows raised.
Is that what they’re called? My first instinct is to reply, “Fuck no.” But we’re something more than friends, aren’t we? Maybe?
“We’re a family,” Jax explains. “He’s Aurora’sotherboyfriend. I’m her husband.”
He says it with attitude, and she laughs.
“Don’t listen to him.” I shake my head but can’t hide my grin. “Sadie, this is Jackson.” I gesture to him. “And this is Ethan. They are…” I pause, looking at Ethan, who gives me a subtle nod. “They’re partners.”
My sister gently embraces me, careful not to touch my arm. “Well, any rare friends of my brother’s are friends of mine.” She glances up at me, her eyes glistening. “Harper is here with Danny, but y’all can have the upstairs guest suite.”
I tighten an arm around her. “We can stay at a hotel if you’d like.”
“Nonsense. I miss you, and you’re in desperate need of a haircut.”
My cheeks hurt from smiling. “You wanna give me one? I wanna get a tattoo.”
Her fiancé is a renowned tattoo artist who has done a few of my pieces, and I have another planned.
“I guess I have to, don’t I?” She slaps my bicep before breaking away and leading us into the foyer.
The interior is as charming as the exterior—exposed brick walls, plank hardwood floors, rustic wooden beams, well-loved furniture, and a Christmas tree glowing in front of the window.
Harper, my older sister, stands in the living room archway with my nephew on her hip. “Look who finally showed up,” she says with a mix of teasing and scorn. “Your Uncle Reece.”
Her demeanor is similar to my own, whereas Sadie is the bubbly one.
Danny, now four, peers at me with big, blue eyes—eyes that match mine and my sister’s. He buries his face in her neck, suddenly shy, and my chest tightens. The last time I saw him, he was learning to walk.
“Hey, Harp.” I step forward, unsure if I should hug her. She hasn’t been my biggest fan, and she hasn’t had an easy life as a military wife either.
She decides for me and pulls me into a one-armed embrace. “It’s nice to see you smiling. I almost didn’t recognize you.” Her gaze shifts to Aurora. “And this must be the model I’ve heard so much about.”
Her tone is neutral, but I don’t miss the assessment in her eyes as she scans our girl from head to toe.
