Sadie can sometimes get down on herself and it takes a while for her to snap back.
We walk through her secret garden-like walkway, and I see Jack beside me, mimicking his sister’s resistance to hold back his laughter.
Wills walks out and looks around. “What’s going on?”
Jack puts out his hand, and Wills shakes it halfheartedly. “Jackson Peters, your new neighbor. I wanted to introduce myself formally.”
Wills looks across the street at the sold sign, then back down to Jack and me. “You must be fucking kidding me.” He turns to Sadie. “Please tell me this is a sick joke. I already see this arsehole at work. Now he’s going to live right over there?” He points at the house.
“Nope, not a joke.” She bites her lip and bounces on her feet excitedly. Sadie’s the one who sent us the listing. She thought it would be perfect for us to be closer to the girls, and Declan and Nora are within walking distance too.
Sure, Jack loved the idea that it would piss off Wills, but ultimately, we truly loved the house. We looked at many, and I only had to walk into one room to know it was the one.
“Un-fucking-believable.” He looks at Sadie. “You’re in big trouble.”
She shrugs, then hugs Jack. “It’s going to be great, don’t be so grumpy about it. Let’s go in and have a celebratory glass of wine or two. The girls don’t get home until tomorrow; they’re still in the countryside with Eleanor.”
Since it’s beautiful out, we take our wine into their back garden. We’ve been lucky in London this summer. It’s been dry and sunny for the greater part of it. Though, I wake up every day expecting our typical rain to return.
Jack hangs his arm around my shoulder, and when I turn, smiling, he places a chaste kiss on my lips.
“Okay… wow. I’m still getting used to this.” Sadie smiles. “I always wanted this for the two of you, but it’s something else seeing it in person.”
“It shocks me sometimes too.” I laugh and look at Jack. “After all these years, who would have thought it?”
“Literally everyone,” Wills says dryly.
We all ignore him while Sadie takes my hand and frowns. “You don’t have an engagement ring?”
Jack’s face drops, so I grab his hand for reassurance but look at Sadie as I speak. “This band has more meaning than an engagement ring would. Remember, we kind of jumped that step.” I laugh. “It would have no significance for me. This is the only ring I want.” I smile and twirl my ring around on my finger.
It’s the truth.
After catching up and again apologizing to Sadie profusely for not telling her about our secret relationship, we get updates on the girls and hear all about their honeymoon.
We also get suckered into a housewarming party next month.
If Sadie wants to plan it all, she can be my guest. I’m more of a night-out-for-drinks-and-dancing kind of girl, but a catered house party… That’s all her. And she’ll enjoy doing it.
I turn toward Wills. “Do you want to help me with another round?” I say, gesturing to Sadie and Jack. “We should give them a minute.”
“Yeah, good idea.”
“Hmm, a compliment from you. What is this world coming to?”
He grumbles something Wills-like under his breath, and it makes me smile. Things are finally falling into place, and it’s all starting to feel normal again.
Jackson
When Wills and Belle walk away, I take my sister in my arms and hold her tightly against my chest before we sit down at her favorite garden table.
“How are you doing?” I ask.
“The better question is how areyoudoing, Jackson? I’m worried after you ran off yesterday.”
My face falls. “Sades, I’m sorry. I just needed time.”
She takes my hand and places it on her lap. “I didn’t mean it to come off like that. I’m sorry. We all process things differently. I don’t blame you for leaving.”
