Vivian’s grin widened, her finger pointing toward the swear jar. “Our Disney fund is looking good. Especially considering we’re going to need four tickets for the trip,” she said, clearly pleased with the turn of events. “Unless you intend to let Belle go without you.”
“She’s not going anywhere without me.” Victor crossed his arms. “You’re really okay with it? Me and Belle?”
Vivian laughed, tossing the dish towel on the counter. “Vic,” she said, shaking her head with fond exasperation, “you’ve been in love with Belle since Pip first learned to talk. I was just wondering how long it would take you to figure it out. To be honest, I was starting to worry your stubbornness would win. Fortunately, your brilliant sister saw a way to kill two birds with one stone…or, with one trip to Africa. I got to finish my bookandpush a little bit of that forced proximity shit that’s all the rage in rom coms, on you and Belle.”
Victor gaped, shell-shocked at that, because he’d hadnoidea his sister was setting him up. Once the disbelief wore off, he shook his head, amused. “Remind me again why I missed you?”
Vivian leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, the affection softening her mischievous grin. “Because I’m wonderful and brilliant,” she said simply, and somehow, that was enough to dissolve the last of the tension pressing on his chest. “And I want you to remember that come Christmas, because I’m expecting one hell of a thank-you present.”
“Duly noted,” he replied with a grin.
Vivian wasn’t used to this new version of him, the one who smiled and laughed all the time, so he wasn’t surprised by her pointed staring. “You’re happy.”
Victor nodded, aware her words were an observation, not a question. “I am.”
“It’s all just so perfect,” Vivian gushed.
“It is.Now,” he replied. “For a while there…”
Vivian tilted her head. “Uh-oh. What did you do?”
“Why do you assumeIdid something wrong?”
Vivian put her hands on her hips, not even bothering to dignify that question with a response. They both knew if someone was going to fuck things up, it would be him.
“Let’s just say it took me a bit of time to pull my head out of my ass, and then even longer to tell her how I feel.”
Vivian lifted one shoulder, as if that had been expected. “I knew you wouldn’t succumb easily. Good thing Belle is patient.”
“That will definitely serve her well with me,” he said, only half joking.
“So it’s all good now?”
“Better than good. Belle belongs here. It feels like all the pieces are finally falling into place.”
“You’ve been in love with her for years. It’s about time you finally figured out how to let her in.” Vivian followed her statement with a punch on his arm.
“No one—least of all you—has ever called me too bright.”
Vivian laughed. “What was it Dad used to say? I got the brains and you got the athletic ability.”
“Then he’d follow it up by saying between the two of us, he had one perfect kid,” Victor added. Their dad had been a funny bastard with a wicked, teasing sense of humor. It was why he and Vivian were both well-versed in sarcasm.
“I love the way you look at her,” Vivian said quietly. “It reminds me of the way Phil used to look at me.”
“Viv,” Victor said, reaching to pull her in for a quick hug. As always, the mention of Phil’s name put a lump in his throat.
However, this time, Vivian didn’t get that same forlorn look in her eyes that usually appeared when she talked about her husband. The memory didn’t make her sad. Instead, it looked like one she was recalling him fondly.
Victor had been right about her turning a corner in Africa.
“It’s beautiful,” Vivian continued. “Exactly what Belle deserves. She came into our family when we were at our lowest, and she held us together until we stop floundering.”
That was exactly what she’d done.
Victor swallowed heavily. “I’ve spent my life defending the net. Turns out, the best play I ever made was letting her in.”
At that moment, Belle stepped into the kitchen. She paused, gaze flicking between Victor and Vivian, and then, as if the universe had finally aligned, his sister and his true love shared a long look, their friendship so tight and close that words weren’t necessary.
