He comes to me first, pulling me into a hug, before doing the same to Sullivan, saying something to him in a low voice that has Sullivan nodding and gripping him tighter.
The room fills with upbeat chatter, and I drink it all in.
Molly’s giggling. Sullivan’s smiling. And I’m floating.
It can’t get any better.
“Will you let me help my fiancée?”
I narrow my eyes at Sullivan before laughing. “You can’t use that word to get your own way, you know?”
“What? Help?”
“Fiancée.” I snort, poking him in the stomach as we walk along the beach.
It’s been the most perfect day. My father arrived, and the rest of the guests from last night came to the house for a huge lunch. I met Sterling’s brothers and their kids and grandkids. They’re all so alike. Warm. Welcoming.
“Think of it as a wedding present to my wife,” Sullivan continues.
“I’m not your wife yet,” I tease.
“But you will be. We can have whatever kind of ceremony and reception you want. Just as long as it happens soon.”
I love how eager he is, like he’s on a mission now that we’re back together. But I still can’t resist toying with him.
“I don’t know. Sinclair has so many ideas. It might take us months to come up with a plan for how to do it all.”
A muscle in Sullivan’s cheek clenches and I kiss it, drawing a small smile out of him.
“Can we serve cocoa-dusted drinks after we eat?”
“We can serve nectar collected by diamond encrusted bees as long as you marry me as soon as possible.”
I snort out a giggle. I’m loving this lighter, happier Sullivan. Even if he does say such things with the same dry sarcasm he’s always had.
He’s adamant he wants to buy an office space in Midtown that he can then lease to the record label who’ve offered me a job as a songwriter. He said their company reports indicate they want to expand their offices to the East Coast, and that it makes good business sense for them to begin with New York. He said it’s another investment opportunity like my apartment block was.
I rolled my eyes when he pulled that explanation out. Weboth know my shrunken uniform is responsible for that purchase.
“Fine,” I concede. “Buy the building. Be their landlord. But that’s it. I can’t have you coming into work all the time. You’re too hot, you’ll be a distraction.”
His lips stretch into a satisfied smile. “I’ll tell Jones to draw up contracts.”
“You do that.” I giggle. “Now, can we enjoy the view without talking about work? It’s so beautiful here.”
Sullivan stops, pulling me closer beneath his arm as we gaze out at the sparkling ocean.
“Being back here has been…” He blows out a breath. “There are so many memories here, Tate. I haven’t been back in years. But now I’m here, it feels like their loss is right in my face again. I see my brother everywhere I look. I don’t get that feeling with Mom, only Slade. Maybe because we were twins, I don’t know.”
“It must be so hard. What can I do?” I ask, my chest aching for him.
He kisses the top of my head.
“Nothing. Just being here with you and Molly makes it easier. You know, I spent so long not able to accept what happened that day. Things didn’t add up about the fire. About how fast it spread. And there was a big payment made to the Port manager’s wife, like someone was buying his silence and paying it to her so it wouldn’t be traced as easily. Just…” He sighs. “But we’ve searched for answers for almost three years. And got nothing. I need to move forward, Tate. I can’t allow my past to dictate my life anymore. Not when I almost lost you.”
I hold him tight. I love that he can finally open up to me. But it doesn’t stop me from wishing that what he had to open up about wasn’t so heartbreaking. I’d do anything to take his pain away.
“Halliday told me she saw him earlier. If she wasn’t pregnant, I’d have questioned her sobriety.” Sullivan chuckles softly, but there’s no humor in it.
