"We should."
But neither of us moved.
"Henry?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you. For finding me. For seeing me when I was invisible."
His arms tightened around me. "You could never be invisible. So I know I’d have found a way to find you."
The terrace had been transformed into a feast.
Long tables covered in white linens groaned under the weight of food. Roasted chicken, fresh bread,salads that smelled of herbs and olive oil. Fritz's mother's apple strudel sat in the center, still steaming.
Everyone was there. Etienne's grandmother held court at one end, telling stories in rapid French that made his cousins laugh. Fritz's parents sat with his brothers, passing wine and arguing about football. Even Hastings' business partner looked relaxed, his tie finally loosened.
I pinched myself. It was perfect, but I still excused myself, slipping away to the quiet of the villa's library. I needed a moment to breathe. And to call the one person who understood how far I'd come.
I dialed Maeve's number.
She answered on the second ring. "About time. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me, all wrapped up in your French villa and your perfect alphas."
"Never." I sank into one of the leather chairs, pulling my feet under me. "How are you? I wish you had agreed to come."
"I'm good, Pres. Really good." And she sounded it. Her voice was lighter than it had been in years. No edge of fear, no constant vigilance. "How's France?"
"Overwhelming. Wonderful. And hot." I laughed. "The twins are obsessed with Mr. Cheddar and his ability to catch flies. He wasn’t so impressed when they tried to put a bonnet on him this morning."
"Did he let them?"
"He purred through the whole thing, but I caught a side-eye."
Maeve snorted. "That cat is a traitor to his species."
"He's a sweetheart."
"He brought you a family of mice to the cottage."
"But they were alive, so he’s softening. He used to kill them.”
"He's a menace."
I grinned, settling deeper into the chair. "So what's new with you? How's the shop?"
Maeve had opened a bookshop in Edinburgh six months ago. A cozy place with floor-to-ceiling shelves and a dog café in the back. It was perfect for her.
"The shop's good. I'm thinking of expanding. Maybe adding a small gallery space for local artists." She paused. "Actually, there's something I need to tell you."
"What?"
"I'm pregnant."
I sat up so fast I nearly dropped the phone. "What the hell? Who? How?"
"The same way you got pregnant," Maeve said dryly. "Definitely not with a turkey baster."
"Maeve!"
