“I’m so proud of you,” she said, slinging her arm around my shoulders. “Your career is going to be amazing. I feel like you’ve taken flight since moving to London. There’s something about this place. We’ve both come here and spread our wings and we’re living our best lives.”
Hollie had always believed it was possible. Her vision of the world out there had meant she’d pushed me to focus and study and not make the wrong choices. She’d shaped the woman I was today—the life I had, and how happy I was. “I love you,” I said.
“I love you too,” she said. “I’ll love you even more if you pour me a glass of that champagne.”
The crash in the hallway made me spill the alcohol over the glass. “What the hell?”
We poked our heads out to find Gabriel, Dexter, Tristan, and Joshua carrying in a huge . . . grandfather clock.
“Don’t worry, it’s not ours,” Gabriel said. “It’s so bloody ugly.”
Gabriel spent hours trawling websites and auction houses, trying to find new projects. One of the reasons we’d bought this house was because of the huge workshop next door. But he managed to fill the cavernous space with desks, chairs, bureaus, tables, and really, any piece of wood looking for a little TLC and a second chance. At least this clock hadn’t been adopted.
“Whose is it?” Hollie asked suspiciously.
“Glad you asked,” Dexter said, grinning. “I thought it would look great in my office.”
“As long as it’s going somewhere I don’t have to look at it,” Hollie said.
The four of them heaved the monolithic timepiece upright. “Don’t think you’re keeping it,” Dexter said to Gabriel.
“Believe me, I don’t want it,” replied Gabriel.
“That makes two of us,” I said.
“Make that three of us,” Hollie said.
“Marriage is about compromise,” Dexter said, lifting Hollie into his arms and kissing her.
“It’s a good thing I love you,” she said.
“Stop with the PDA,” Tristan said. “It’s making my stomach churn.”
“You’re just jealous that I have a hot wife,” Dexter said.
Tristan rolled his eyes. “Get me a drink.”
Tristan tried to pretend he wanted nothing to do with a committed relationship, but I couldn’t help but think he just hadn’t met the right girl yet. He was always focused on who was hot rather than who he liked. Joshua wasn’t a lot better, but he was a little more discreet and a better flirt.
They all circled the kitchen island, where I was filling a row of champagne flutes. Gabriel went straight to the wine fridge and pulled out another bottle.
When everyone had a full glass in their hand, I raised mine. “Here’s to Tristan finding the love of his life when he’s least expecting it. May she torture and tease him until he begs for mercy.”
Joshua chuckled and I pointed at him. “And here’s to Joshua finding a woman who’s as good a flirt as he is.”
“Gabriel, I don’t know how you managed to trick Autumn into falling for you, but congratulations,” Joshua said, ever the charmer. “If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s the two of you.”
We all clinked our glasses and it felt somehow as if we were cementing together our extended family. Beck, Dexter, Joshua, Tristan, Andrew, and Gabriel had known each other forever and were brothers in all but name. It was heartwarming to see such strong men support each other through the turbulent ups and downs of life, but the icing on the cake was how they had welcomed me, Hollie, and Stella into their lives as if we were long-lost sisters. The group really did feel like family.
“Oh, and did I tell you, I’m moving in,” Joshua said. “Your house is so bloody cool.”
The corner of Gabriel’s mouth twitched. He loved this house. It had taken a bit of persuasion for me to agree to it being our home—it was just so big. But the workshop next door was ideal, and the short commute had sealed the deal.
“You’d be welcome,” I said.
“No, he wouldn’t,” Gabriel said, looking at me as if I’d lost my mind. “We already have Bethany to look after. And unlike my daughter, I’m not sure Joshua is housetrained.”
“He’s more than housetrained,” Dexter said. “He organizes his lovers by the days of the week.”
“That’s just because he has a terrible memory and can’t remember their names,” Tristan said.
“You’re out of line, Tristan,” Joshua replied.
“Okay, tell me Miss Sunday Afternoon’s name?”
Joshua flushed scarlet with rage, but before they could come to blows, my sister interrupted.
“My prediction is that Joshua will find someone special soon and he’ll be moving in with her, so no need to panic,” Hollie said as she patted Gabriel on the back.
“How much champagne have you had?” Joshua asked. “You’re way off base. I’m never going to live with a woman. I don’t like to share my space.”