And I’m about to roll with it.
His hand tangles with mine, locking tight. He leans in, voice low. “I know you said you were professional, but if you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to.”
Maybe he’s trying to be playful. And I know that shouldn’t sting.
But it does.
“Don’t be silly,” I tell him lightly. “I’m an actress. It’s what I do.”
We barely step inside before the woman from the bakery is on us. His sister. Snooki’s already settled comfortably on her hip.
Harrison starts to make introductions.
“Ava, this is my sister, Hannah. Hannah, this is?—”
“I know who she is, Harrison,” she cuts in, laughing. “The entire world knows who she is.”
She pulls me in, Snooki included, into a warm three-way hug. “We’re so happy for the two of you.”
Then Mrs. D. appears, pulling me into the tightest embrace, tears shining in her eyes. “You just met,” she says softly. “I can’t believe it. It all happened so fast.”
Harrison slips an arm around me, easy and sure. “Well,” he says lightly, “you know what they say. When you know, you know.”
For a man who insists he’s not an actor, he’s giving the performance of his life.
It’s a mid-afternoon party that somehow feels as bright as New Year’s Eve. Joyful. Easy. Less show, more genuine laughter.
I’ve met all of his friends, most of whom feel less like friends and more like brothers. My own family has welcomed him with open arms.
Well. Almost all of them.
Gabe’s been oddly distant.
Harrison’s friend, Brian, presses a mimosa into my hand.
“Is it weird,” I ask, glancing around, “that this is all happening over brunch?”
He smiles, easy and knowing. “Mark knew you were leaving soon.”
I frown. “How did he know that?”
“Gabe told him.”
We both glance toward the corner, where my brother stands apart from the crowd, shoulders slumped, his usual smile nowhere to be found.
“Any idea what’s bugging your brother?” Brian asks quietly.
I shake my head. “Not yet. But I’ll find out.”
A beautiful redhead steps up and pulls me into a hug like we’ve known each other forever.
“I’m Jess,” she says warmly. “Mark’s wife.”
She shifts to the side, revealing a shy little girl half-hidden behind her leg, big, curious eyes peeking up at me.
“And this,” Jess adds softly, “is Quinn.”
Quinn peeks out a little more, still cautious.
