“Definitely.”
Axel: Hey, guys! It’s Maisie! We are definitely on our way and should be at the resort in a little over thirty minutes. Do we need to stop in town and pick up anything, Connor?
Connor: Thanks for the offer, but I just got back and have everything.
Connor: Just bring yourselves. We’re all dying to hear about how everything went with your parents.
She groaned even as Axel chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“Welcome to the group. You’re officially one of us now.”
“What…the group?”
He nodded. “Yeah. The group. We all became friends as kids, and this is the core group that stayed friends through the years. We’re close-knit and, basically, we’re each other’s family. And now, you’re one of us.” He winked. “So just know that whenever you’re maybe feeling sad because of the situation with your actual family, you’ve got a group of people here who care about you and will support the hell out of you.”
Tears stung her eyes because that actually sounded wonderful.
“And you know I am always here for you and will not only care and support you, but I’ll love you too. Forever.”
She whispered his name and wanted to say more, but the phone was dinging again with more texts.
Harlow: CONNOR! Don’t scare her off! What is wrong with you?
Connor: What? I was just being honest.
Harlow: No. You were being nosy. Big difference.
Walker: Can everyone play nice? Don’t ruin the mood for our big surprise.
Harlow: And like he said, no engagement, so…don’t ask.
Milo: I feel there’s a story there.
Milo: Will we at least get to hear why there’s no engagement?
Walker: No.
Harlow: Hell no.
Milo just put a row of wide-eyed emojis as his response.
Slater: Again, you’re all up at the damn lodge! Have an actual conversation!
Slater: Every time you send a text, I stop what I’m doing!
Slater: At this rate, I won’t make it to dinner because I’ll still be working.
Slater: And seriously, Axel, I don’t know how the hell you do this every day. I’m happy you’ll be taking over again tomorrow.
Axel: On that note, we’ll just plan on seeing everyone soon!
Axel: Should we just go straight up to the lodge, or will we have time to run to the cabin first?
Walker: Why don’t you come up to the lodge first? We’re setting up snacks and drinks now.
Walker: And Slater? Put down the paintbrush and go shower! You’ve got about twenty minutes!
