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“I know.” I wink at Bri. “He needed professional homosexual guidance.”

“I absolutely did not call it that.”

Bri shakes her head, laughing. “I can’t believe you kept this secret. All of you.”

Snow falls properly now, blanketing the countryside in a fresh layer of cotton white. It’s so romantic, but exceedingly cold. Collectively, we all gather back in the warmth of the lounge, cheeks pink from the chill. Glasses are topped up almost as quickly as they’re emptied. The fire burns brightly and the engagement ring is admired another seventeen times.

“So,” I say, dragging the word out. “I have one very important question.”

Jax groans. “I knew this was coming.”

“Am I best man? Or man of honour?”

“Best man” — “Man of honour!” They answer in unison.

I dissolve into hysterical laughter. Something catches in my chest. Hard. I laugh again because it’s safer than crying.

Five months ago… I couldn’t face tomorrow. Couldn’t imagine laughing again or making plans beyond surviving another day. I wasn’t living. I was existing. Dragging grief around behind me like an anchor. Then these people arrived and they refused to let me disappear inside myself.

A few weeks after the convention they’d all driven to Port Seton after discovering the boutique still wasn’t open. I’d made every excuse imaginable. Too tired. Not ready. The truth? I was terrified. Terrified that opening it meant accepting Aaron wasn’t coming back.

Meeting my friends, my family, helped me to see that it was ok to move on. Lennie and Jax spent three days fixing everything that needed fixing. From shelving and electrics to mounting the sign outside. Whilst Bri, Luna and Ember cleaned every surface until it sparkled, painted walls I’d been avoiding for over a year and unpacked every single jacket I’d hidden away in boxes.

When we finally opened the doors… People came. Actual people who wanted my work. Who believed in me long before I’d remembered how to believe in myself.

Since then I’ve learnt to drive—the world’s most terrifying activity, especially after Aaron's death. It took a while to feel confident behind the wheel, but now I spend half my life driving across Scotland to annoy these people in person instead of over the phone.

Honestly… Life is rather wonderful now.

Glancing around the room, I watch as Lennie tells another story. Luna laughs so hard tears streak her cheeks. Ember leans into Chloe, quietly content. Enzo smiles widely. Bri admires her ring every thirty seconds when she thinks nobody’s looking. And Jax… Stares at Bri like she’s the answer to every prayer he never dared say out loud.

Quietly, I lift my wine glass. “To you, Aaron,” I whisper too softly for anyone else to hear. “I found love again. I found home.”

Not a replacement, something different. The kind of love that reminds you, life doesn’t end with loss. It simply waits… Until you’re brave enough to begin again.

Chapter 56

Bri

The lounge is alive with laughter. Saint is telling a story that involves a mannequin, three security guards, and an inflatable dinosaur. Chloe is laughing so hard she’s hidden her face in Ember’s shoulder. Meanwhile, Enzo keeps trying to refill everyone’s glasses whether they need refilling or not. Luna has abandoned all pretence of objecting and is happily accepting another glass.

Jax catches my eye and smiles, and just like that, everything else fades into the background. I still can’t quite believe I’m allowed to love someone this much. Or that they love me back.

“I’ll be two minutes,” I whisper, leaning down to kiss the top of his head.

He catches my hand before I can leave. “Everything ok?”

“I just need to make a phone call.”

“Tell them I said hello.”

“I will.”

I slip quietly into the library, closing the door just enough to muffle the laughter without shutting it out completely.

The phone rings twice before Ava answers and the screen immediately fills with her face. “Oh my God!”

Lottie appears beside her so quickly she almost headbutts the camera. “What?”