I’ve got this.
And if I don’t believe it fully, the two guys at my sides surely will, holding me up the entire way.
Asher takes my hand in his, kissing my knuckles, which is becoming one of my favorite things.
I take a deep breath, letting it fill my lungs completely and calm my pulse.
Let’s do this.
We stroll inside, behind Malik, who leads the way through yet another enormous, mesmerizing house, taking us through the foyer and into the dining room with vaulted ceilings and a table that could fit twenty.
“Cirella!” Alora smiles at me and rushes over, pulling me into a swift hug, all while Dean’s and Asher’s hands stay glued to my waist and hand. “Relax, boys. I’m not going to steal her.”
Asher mocks her. “You couldn’t if you tried.”
“Can I get you a glass of anything?” Blair offers. “Wine? Champagne? Water? Tequila?” She chuckles.
I laugh, having never even tried alcohol my entire life. “Water, please.”
“You’ve got it.” She smiles, no judgment in her eyes.
My shoulders finally begin to settle as I scan the room. Griffin is watching Blair with pure love in his eyes, just as Malik watches Alora. Finn and Elias are lost in conversation, in a world all their own. And there are two guys I don’t recognize, sitting to the right of Blair’s empty chair.
They have stars in their gazes, looking at each other with intense adoration. Someone calls out one of their names—Lumi—and I make a mental note to remember it. The other guy must be his boyfriend—or at least is going to be soon, if not already, from the way he looks at him. This place is full of love.
Someone says something that I don’t catch, and laughter ripples through the room. It’s not directed at me but Finn.
Dean pulls a chair out for me, and I find my seat. My boys sit beside me as I watch everyone interact, feeling an odd sense of comfort in their chaos.
His friends ask about me, and I answer honestly, telling them what I’m going to school for, about my passions and goals. And they all listen so intently and genuinely. It’s almost jarring.
This group, while I’m sure sometimes crazy and unpredictable, is like a little family all their own. Maybe even a family I could be a part of.
Time seems to fade away completely as the night draws on with laughter and endless smiles that have my cheeks hurting.
After dinner and dessert—all prepared by Griffin’s chef and maid, Mrs. Pottinger, the sweetest older lady—I excuse myself to the bathroom, but get a bit lost on my way back, wandering down a hallway I don’t remember passing through.
It’s lined with family photos, hundreds spanning the walkway. From all different ages of their youth, pictures of Griffin, a younger boy, and two proud parents decorate the space. There are even tons of Mrs. Pottinger and what appears to be her son.
Wait …
What the hell?
One of the photos stops me dead in my tracks, and the world around me disappears to the background.
That can’t really be him?
Inside the frame is a picture of a bunch of businessmen, including who I think is Griffin’s dad, Everett Kensington, tons more, but one of them … one of them … ismy dad.
“Get lost?” Griffin chuckles, walking up to me, but I’m stuck, staring at the photo.
I nod mindlessly.
I like to think my parents are watching over me somehow or someway, and I like to imagine they’re proud of who I’m becoming, who I’m blossoming into.
Griffin sighs as he approaches. “The Evermore Foundation—that’s what they always called themselves, claiming to hold the world together.”
Tears well in my eyes.
