“Good thing I sleep with the man who knows all my secrets,” I say smugly.
“Always and forever,” Dom says, kissing me just behind my ear. “Come on, everyone’s ready.”
We wrangle Mazie into her highchair and herd the dogs to their beds. Dom pulls out the head chair for me at the big backyard table. Once I’m seated, he taps his glass.
“Little mouse,” he says, eyes bright. “I’m so proud of you. You didn’t let one theft take your love of cooking. You pivoted. You built something. You’re an important part of this family—and mine. You showed me I’m allowed to dream beyond the next day.”
My laugh wobbles. He smiles.
“I wanted to do something special for the release ofThe FamilyWe Make: a cookbook by Beckett,” Dom says, and I smirk as he rolls his eyes. “Yes, you’re too cool for a last name.”
“Hurry up out there!” Jasper yells through the window, and we both laugh.
“Okay, without further ado, I present to you…The Family We Make: a cookbook by Beckett.” I clap because I can’t tell if they’re putting on a play or what?
The door slides open, and out walks Spencer.
Mazie yells, “Daddy!”
“Hi, baby girl!” Spencer waves before redirecting his attention to me. “Good evening. Tonight, for your tasting pleasure, I would like to start you off with a Maine tradition… clam chowder. When my mother got sick, she lived on soups, and this was her favorite,” he says, setting a bowl down in front of me. “My mother was a firm believer in the love of a found family. When she asked Jaxon to look out for me, I was so irritated at first,” he says, one eyebrow crooked in my direction.
“Okay, but he was not stealthy about it,” I complain.
“Yeah, well, we never said the big man was graceful. But… that simple gesture she gave became the stepping stone for the love we have in our lives today. If there’s one thing about this group, it’s that everything has always revolved around food. I believe part of the reason is that we were always supposed to end up here.”
A squeal slices the moment. Spencer softens instantly at Mazie’s face. “And on that note, we proceed. Next up, your uncle from another mother… Jaxon.”
Jaxon arrives with a tray of stuffed mushrooms. He sets them down and clears his throat. “Not a big speech guy, but… okay… the story I gave you? Half true. When your dad and I first hung out, we watched the game on Sundays.”
“I remember,” I say. “I hated football.”
“Your dad did too. He liked the food. Especially these.” Henudges the tray. “They’re his. I made him write the recipe down the first time I tasted them.”
It hits me like a wave I forgot to brace for. I stare at the mushrooms, at the neat little caps waiting to be devoured, at the years I spent chasing a jacket instead of a feeling. “I can’t believe I forgot,” I whisper.
Jaxon pulls me into a quick, back-slapping hug. “He’d be proud of you, kid.”
“Okay, let’s move this show on the road. The little lady is hungry,” Spencer says, looking at Mazie, who’s trying to get her sticky hands all over the stuffed mushrooms.
“Next, we have the man I get to sleep with every night!” Spencer says, and Finn winks at him.Christ.
“I know LA didn’t end the way you wanted it to, but I would like to think a couple of good things came out of your time there, starting with meeting me. I’m so grateful for our friendship; it’s saved my life.Yousaved my life.”
I shake my head. “No, you saved yourself. I just made a phone call.”
“Thank you for knowing how to use a phone,” Finn jokes. “Anyway, I thought I would bring a little bit of California here with California pizza.”
“Hurry up, it’s my turn,” Jasper yells from inside the house.
Finn steps to the side, and Spencer continues. “Next, we have Jasper. Someone who has no patience.” He gives the house—and I’m assuming its occupants—a side-eye. “And taught us it’s okay to be a little silly.”
The slider flings open, and Jasper struts out in his white-feathered boa jacket and black leather pants, bearing crab tacos like a prize. “Because sometimes tacos point you toward a safe harbor,” he declares, bowing, and sets the dish on the table.
Mira follows with a bowl. “Cabbage and apple slaw. Also,thank you for making Dom not so moody. It was getting unbearable.”
“I was charming,” Dom protests. Everyone ignores him.
“Alex,” Spencer announces.
