She cocked her head to one side. “I told Eli I thought you guys were a good mix of opposites blending well.”
That made warmth spread through my stomach. “Thanks, Harper. It means a lot to hear you say that.”
“Well, being my brother’s girlfriend gives you and me an opportunity to get to know each other better, doesn’t it? You’re coming to the bonfire tonight, right?”
My heart skipped a beat even as a smile broadened across my face. I’d seen the Coleridge sibling bonfires from afar, always wondering what it would be like to go. And now I was. “Absolutely. Tonight is part one of Eli’s idea to bring our relationship into the daylight. He asked me to come and thought it was a good idea to start with his siblings first.”
“He’s probably not wrong about that. Why don’t you wrap things up? We need to swing by the Kids Club so I can pick up Finn. Then we can head over there together.” The resort had a children’s program that Finn hung out at sometimes.
I rose to my feet, still smiling. “That sounds great. Lead on.”
The western horizon was a vivid palette of orange and pink as Finn bounced over the sand, all gangly limbs and excited energy. Harper and I followed at a more sedate pace. The crackling bonfire came into view on the beach, casting a warm yellow hue over the driftwood logs and scattered blankets. The scent of woodsmoke filled the air, mingling with the salty breeze. It was… cozy. Inviting. Everything I’d imagined it would be.
My phone buzzed with a text from Eli.
Eli: On my way. Can’t wait to see you.
Jules: I’m just arriving with Harper and Finn. See you in a few.
A smile raised my lips as I typed the message while strolling over the sand. But as I glanced up, it faltered. The Coleridge family home stood behind the beach, a dark silhouette against the night sky, and nearly screened from view by a line of trees and brush.
The warmth in my gut turned to a knot as I sat on a soft blanket draped over a driftwood log. “Harper, is your mother joining us?”
Harper glanced up from where she was stoking the fire, the flames dancing on her cheeks. “Mom? At a bonfire? No. She’s got a standing invitation, but she says she prefers her quiet solitude and letting us kids have our time.”
Relief washed over me, my shoulders relaxing. That was one complication I didn’t need to worry about, at least. “Oh. That’s nice of her to give you guys your own space.”
The crunch of sand announced new arrivals from the far side of the fire. Eli appeared with Chase trailing behind him. My breath caught as Eli’s eyes found mine.
“Hey, everyone,” Eli called out, his easy charm on full display. “Look who I found lurking by the parking lot.”
Chase scowled. “I wasn’t lurking. I was studying the air handling units.”
“See what I saved you from? What would you do without me?” Eli laughed, then turned to me. His smile softened, became something just for us. “Hey, you.”
As he settled beside me, his arm found its way around my shoulders. It felt right. Natural. Like we’d been doing this for years.
“So,” Eli addressed the group, his voice carrying a hintof nervous energy I wasn’t used to hearing. “You all know Julianne. But tonight, I want to officially introduce you to Jules. My girlfriend.”
The words hung in the air for a moment. I held my breath, waiting for… I wasn’t sure what. Judgment? Disapproval?
My gaze drifted across the fire and landed on Ben, the only other family member present besides Eli, Harper, and Finn. The eldest Coleridge sibling’s eyes met mine, and for a moment, I braced myself. Ben had always been the most inscrutable. Surprise was plain in his eyes, but then something shifted in his expression. It wasn’t a smile, but his chin dipped in a slight nod, his eyes holding mine for a beat longer than usual. A subtle acceptance that made me feel like a lead weight had been lifted from me.
“This is a bit of a surprise.”
Eli nodded. “I know. We’re keeping things quiet for now, so don’t blab about it, okay?”
Ben snorted. “I’m not the one with diarrhea of the mouth. That’s you, remember?” Then his eyes narrowed like he wanted to say something else, but he remained silent.
As laughter rippled around the circle, I gave a little wave. “I’ve always gone by my full name at work, but if you guys want to call me Jules, that’s fine.”
A burst of laughter pulled my attention away. Chase sat on a pale driftwood log next to Harper, Finn sprawled out between them.
“No way,” Chase said, his eyes wide with exaggerated disbelief. “You’re telling me you can name all the dinosaurs inJurassic Park?”
Finn puffed up. “Yup! There’s the T-Rex, the velociraptors, the brachiosaurs, and the?—”
“Whoa, slow down there, paleontologist.” Chaselaughed, ruffling Finn’s hair. “Save some dinosaurs for the rest of us.”
