“Tessa and Jace can’t make it tonight,” Connor says, sinking next to Sarah.
“Why not?” I ask, leaning back on my elbows.
“Something about work tomorrow morning.” He shrugs.
I roll onto my side, pulling my phone from my back pocket.
Me: Hi girlfriend.
Madi : Why are you texting me when I’m sitting across the room?
I smirk, fingers hovering over the screen.
Me: Because I can.
Madi : Okay.
Me: You look really fucking cute in my sweats.
Madi : I’m not giving them back.
I chuckle and type back.
Me: Don’t want them back.
I pause, watching her across the room. Her messy hair, that mischievous smile playing at her lips.
Me: Hey.
Me: I love you.
My stomach flips a little as I glance up and catch her staring at me. Her eyes make my grin widen, a warm buzz spreading through me from head to toe.
Madi : You’re impossible.
Madi : But I love you too.
Dinner and a board game later, I’m in the kitchen, filling bowls with popcorn. Asher and Connor are out back cleaning up, and the girls are settling in the living room with Remi. The buttery scent drifts through the air, and I can’t resist grabbing a handful, tossing it into my mouth as I lean against thecounter.
“You better not be eating all of that,” Halle says, walking into the kitchen.
“Who, me?” I gasp, hands up. “Never.”
She laughs, grabbing a bowl, and I follow her, carrying them into the living room. Connor launches himself over the couch, landing on his back with anoomph, sending pillows flying. Laughter explodes around the room, voices overlapping, mayhem spilling into every corner.
Halle and I pause, watching it unfold. I glance at her, and she meets my eyes with a soft smile, squeezing my arm.
“Hey, big bro,” she says, voice quiet. “I think we made it.”
I let my gaze wander around the room—the mess, the noise, the love—and feel it settle deep in my chest.
“Yeah, lil sis… I think we finally have.”
Making my way over to my girl, I hand one bowl to Connor before dropping down beside Madison and passing her the other. She looks at me with a soft smile that knocks the air from my lungs, and I lean in, unable to resist, stealing a quick kiss from her lips.
“You feeling okay?” I whisper, as someone hits play.
The opening notes ofShrekfill the room, and I smirk. “Couldn’t say no to him, huh?”
