Henry left hours ago, the poor love. I think physically seeing my dildos might have been a bit much for him.
“Anna, how’s your work going?” Max asks. “It’s almost half-term, isn’t it?”
Her face lights up. “Yes! Thank God. I’m hanging out for the break. The divorce has exhausted me.”
“You deserve a proper rest. You’ll finally have some time to catch up on all those monster romance novels I’ve been recommending. The minotaur one has an Irish audiobook narrator,” I say, pumping my eyebrows.
“I’m not sure minotaurs are my thing,” she replies, eying me skeptically. “Actually, speaking of Irish…” She leans in. “There’s this new Irish kid who just transferred to my class. He hasn’t spoken a word to anyone in months, apparently.”
Max’s brows furrow. “Any idea why?”
“His mum abandoned the family for another man.” Anna shakes her head. “His dad’s some professional athlete who’s struggling to cope. The female teachers are all losing their shit over him, but I feel for the poor kid.”
Even though I don’t have a maternal bone in my body, a wave of sadness floods through me.
“That’s heartbreaking,” April says, her hand resting over her bump.
Anna nods, taking a shaky breath. “But enough of that,” she says, pushing back from the table to stand, champagne flute in hand. “There’s something I’d like to say.”
I set my fork down and turn toward her.
“I need you all to know how grateful I am.” Her eyes find Max first, and I watch her composure start to crack. “Having my brother back home—God, Max. I didn’t realize how much of myself I’d lost when you left. Family dinners felt so empty. London wasn’t the same without you.”
Max’s jaw works, his knuckles whiten where he grips his glass.
“It was so hard not having you around.” A tear escapes down her cheek. “Sorry, I don’t want to make you feel bad about it. I’m just so happy you’re here.” She brushes the tear away. “And I know it’s because of Gemma that you came home.”
A lump lodges in my throat as her glistening eyes find mine.
“Gem, thank you for being brave enough to love him. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you enough.”
“Anna—” Max starts.
“Let me finish,” she whispers, wiping her face with the back of her sleeve. She turns to me. “Gemma—you’re my best friend. Seeing you and Max together gives me so much hope. I see the spark in both of your eyes, the love you share, and I’m so happy you gave each other the chance you both deserve. I know you’re going to have a happy life, and I can’t wait to see what you both do with it.”
I shoot her a watery smile.
She turns to April and James. “And you two idiots are about to become parents.” She points to April’s bump. “That little boy is the luckiest kid on earth to have parents who love the way you do. Unconditionally.”
“Oh, Anna,” April chokes out.
“You’re both so hot, and he’s going to be such a little stud.”
April sobs into James’s shoulder.
“I’m just so bloody happy,” Anna continues. “For all of us. We’ve all been through hell in different ways, but look at us now. Look what we’ve built together.”
Tears prickle at my eyes.
“I couldn’t have gotten through the last six months of my divorce without you all. You guys are my rocks.” She raises her glass in salute. “To new chapters. And to family—the one we’re born into and the one we choose.”
“To family,” Max says, standing.
We all join him, clinking our glasses together and taking a sip.
“This sparkling apple juice is rank. I miss alcohol,” April says, sighing dramatically.
Anna nudges April. “Excuse me, you’re growing my precious godson in there. No booze for you.”
