GABE
Shock. Happy shock. She hasn’t confirmed, but she doesn’t need to. I can feel the answer in her posture. In her silence.
My pulse kicks up, a steady thud against my ribs.
I’ve spent years reading every small shift in her body language, every forced smile, every tremor she tried to hide.
This isn’t fear.
It’s relief.
I turn Drew for a kiss, and she softens a little further. She’s so goddamn sweet. I’m never getting over being able to touch her this way.
Her breath catches against my lips, and the taste of cider and winter air floods my senses.
For the first time in forever, she isn’t bracing for impact.
She’s just here—with us. With me.
Greyson swoops in for his own kiss before his mouth settles on her forehead. “Guess that means I’m gonna have to start practicing my Dad jokes. Better sooner than later, right?”
It breaks the tension completely as she grins up at him.
The three of us are the perfect mix for her. It’s not what I imagined for myself, but I can’t say I’m unhappy about it.
A strange kind of peace settles in my chest—heavy but good. Like the ache of finally getting what you’ve wanted so long it feels foreign.
But when I peer over her shoulder, I spot her parents across the room.
Her father’s face is molten red, and her mom is holding his arm, barely restraining him.
He’s about to storm over and cause a scene.
A bigger spectacle than we’ve already created.
That old protective instinct flares, the one that used to send me to find her when her father’s shouting got too loud.
Drew stiffens between us, and I know she’s spotted them, too. “Shit.”
“Take her back to the offices. I’ll referee.” I give her another kiss and send them on their way, cutting off the Bennetts’ trajectory.
My jaw flexes as I step between them. It’s automatic—my body remembering every time I had to stand in front of her.
Andy hisses at me, none too quiet. “What is this I’m hearing about thethreeof you with my daughter? Of knocking her up? We just got her back?—”
“Andy, let’s not give anyone more fuel for the gossip.” I lift my brow at him as he peers around. We are clearly being watched.
The crowd’s hum is static against my skin, every whisper a spark ready to ignite. I keep my tone calm, low,measured, because someone has to.
The chattering is picking up steam. They’ll explode in a fury the moment we’re out of the room.
“Take me to my daughter.” Andy’s voice is low, but his anger has amplified. He’s always been too proud for his own good. For his daughters’ good.
Nodding, I escort him through the banquet hall, out to the lobby, and behind the desk to where our offices are.
As expected, they’re waiting for us in Adam’s office. It’s the right choice.
He’s got the most authority in this room.
