Why wouldn’t I want Lola to be with my brother? Putting his issues with women aside… He’s strong, selfless, successful, and not to mention handsome.
He practically raised my brothers and me after my dad left, then jumped right into uni and medical school. It’s about time he finds his happiness; he deserves nothing less.
I just hate the idea of Lola being his first relationship so many years after his ex-fiancée cheated on him, especially since they live so far apart, because if it doesn’t work out, she is going to be crushed, and I’m going to want to kill him.
“How will long-distance work between you two?” I ask. She tenses, and I take a step back. “Lo? Please don’t say it…”
She shakes her head frantically. “No, no, no. I’m not leaving you, I swear. I have many plans that we will review when we’re home. Matthew doesn’t like it. He wants to leave his job and move to London—”
“He wants to move to London?” My brows shoot up in shock. This is huge news. If anything could convince me he’s serious, this is it.
We have been begging him to move back for ages, and he would never even consider it—his job was too important.
“So thisisserious.”
“Extremely,” my brother says as he rounds the corner, heading straight for me.
He kisses the top of my head quickly, then pulls me in for a hug. “I’m sorry for yelling at you, please understand that if I weren’t all in, I wouldn’t take a chance with someone I know you care so much about. I swear it.”
“I’m sorry as well, Matty. But if you hurt her again—because I detect you’re the lad who left her heartbroken last week—I hurt you. Understand? Lola is not just my mate, she’s as important to me as you are, and you should know that. I’ve spoken about Lola for years.”
“Cross my heart, she’s it for me, Annabelle.” He looks over to Lola with a loving gleam sparkling in his eye. He genuinely does look besotted with her.
She smiles back with the same doe-eyed look.
“You look beautiful in this color, Lo. I’ve never seen you in lavender before,” I tell her to break up the awkward moment. It might take a minute to get used to them together.
“Lilac,” she corrects. “It’s always been my favorite color, and now it has a whole new meaning.” She glances up at my brother again, and his eyes shine with a loving warmth I’ve never seen before.
“Everything good over here?” Sadie asks, peeking around the hedge and hurrying to Lola’s side.
Looking between Lola and Matthew, I smile. “Yeah, we’re all good now.”
Sadie smiles. “Well then, in the words of my daughter, Charlie… Woohoo! Now let’s go celebrate all the love.”
13
Jackson
My phone dings,alerting me of a message. An instant smile stretches the width of my face, knowing it’s probably Belle.
“You look like a love-sick fool.” Declan laughs.
I shrug, ignoring him but not denying it, because he’s right. I’m the person I’ve always hated, and I couldn’t care less.
Queen B: Hi, lover boy :)
Me: HAHA. How’s it going over there? How’s my sister? An emotional wreck? I miss you and your lips.
Queen B: Which lips? ;)
I smirk. Of course that’s what she says.
Me:You already know the answer to that. Both lips. Always both lips, sweetheart.
Queen B:I can’t wait until tonight then! Everything is good, and of course Sadie is a wreck. Lola and Evelyn are calming her in the room.
Queen B:So for now, instead, I’m just sitting here, sipping a delightful, crisp champagne as I stare at Nora’s boobs.
