“After we’ve slept off three airports,” Gabe quipped.
Will was quieter than usual as he grabbed his backpack, pretending to double-check zippers. “Sprinkles McFluff will wanna see his new house,” he said, sounding as though he were convincing himself instead of Sadie.
Miles knelt beside Sadie, adjusting the strap of her bag. “Send us pics the second he picks a favorite toy. Very important research.”
Sadie nodded hard, trying to hide the quiver in her chin.
Ethan stood by the door holding their leftover luggage, and even though he kept his expression steady, I could read the pull in him. The kids had filled every corner of this place. And now it all felt a little too quiet before they’d even stepped out.
I helped pass jackets and gloves, pretending not to feel that same tug. The new routine we’d built together of meals, van rides, bedtime negotiations… it drifted through my mind like someone fading out the lights at the end of a broadway show.
Gabe clapped Ethan on the shoulder. “We’ll get settled and give you a call tonight. And hey… thanks again, man. Really.”
Sadie blew me a kiss from over her dad’s shoulder, the puppy’s little head sticking out between them. All I got from Emma was a wave as she quickly looked away to swipe at her face. Will broke me. He got all the way to the waiting cab, stopped dead, then whirled around and bolted back up the porch steps to fling his arms around me. The force of it made me stumble, and also knock loose the damn tears I’d been holding back so well.
“I’m gonna miss you, Maren.”
“Me too,” was all I could manage without giving away my current emotional state and, blinking fast, I bent down to kiss the top of his head.
Ethan and Adrian were on either side of me, and both slid their arms around my waist as we watched them pile into the cab. A whirlwind of chatting and giggling broken by a yap from the puppy joining in every few beats.
The kids waved frantically as the cab rolled away, calling out their goodbyes. I waved back, my heart full and also a little heavy at the same time. The little family bubble we’d spent the holidays building felt impossibly warm, and now it was dissipating into the city air.
Ethan glanced at me, pulling me closer. I leaned in to savor the warmth enveloping me against the cold winter air. “If you’re feeling broody—” His tone dropped just enough to make my heart skip. “—we can remedy that.”
A shiver of mischief ran through me, and the snow swirled softly around us as the city continued its winter bustle, oblivious to the quiet storm of excitement and possibility building between us.
Epilogue
Ethan
“Hold still.” I fixed the loose bobby pin at the nape of Maren’s neck. Her breath caught at the touch, and our eyes met, letting the moment draw out longer than it probably should have.
“There,” I said, stepping back a fraction, letting my hand linger near her shoulder, careful to hide the shift in the air between us.
“I can’t believe I’m here,” she whispered, her eyes wide as we navigated past clusters of Boston’s elite. “Liv’s going to lose it when I tell her I’m at another one of the mayor’s parties.”
I laughed softly, brushing a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. “I’m just relieved you’re okay with using the ‘m’ word now.”
We swept into The State Room, Maren’s arm hooked through mine, Miles’ fingers interlaced with hers on her left, and Adrian sticking close behind. A unit that squeezed my chest whenever I thought about it. This wasn’t like any other time we’d done it. Shared a girlfriend. This… with her… felt different.
A waiter paused, and we grabbed our drinks. Flutes of sparkling white that was sure to get the party started.
Adrian tugged at his bowtie. “Another New Year’s Eve with the ‘m’ word. I suggest we ditch the tuxedos next year. Fly somewhere warm, no ties required.”
“Oooh, I’ve always wanted to go to Australia,” Maren gushed.
“Forget ties,” I said with a laugh. “I heard they don’t even wear shoes there.”
“Perfect,” Adrian said with a blissful sigh.
“Hey, I know that guy.” Miles pointed to the band. Neither of us knew exactly which guy he was talking about. Cool funk rolled over the floor, vibrating through the crowd as it coaxed people to dance.
I took Maren’s glass and handed it, along with mine, to Adrian with an easy nod.
“M’lady.”
Maren’s smile grew wider and she took my outstretched hand, letting me lead her onto the small dance floor near the band. Within minutes, Miles and Adrian joined, the latter boldly choosing to dance as though no one was watching. Which, given his awkward moves, meant that everyone was watching.
