Celeste’s brow lifted with amusement. “If you say so.”
“I do.”
The last thing I wanted was a party. I hated being the center of attention. Besides, I didn’t have enough friends to make up a party.
No, the gathering at Strike One would be close friends and family only. Something small, intimate, and unnecessary if you asked me. But Jessa had insisted and I couldn’t say no to her. She was so strong and resilient, I was in awe of her. But I guess the attention of a good man helped.
“Come on then.” Celeste took my hand. “I left Max packing up the last of your things.”
“You owe me,” Max said an hour later once Celeste’s Range Rover was loaded.
“How about I’ll buy you a drink tomorrow at the party?”
“Yeah, okay then,” he mocked, and I rolled my eyes.
“How’s it going at Buster’s?”
“Shit, Harleigh, say it a little louder won’t you?” He glanced over his shoulder as if Michael and Sabrina might appear at any moment.
“Relax, they don’t know anything.”
“Yeah, well, I want to keep it that way. See you tomorrow.” He stalked off back toward the house.
“How is he?” I asked her.
“He’s… Max. I’m beginning to wonder if maybe he should go to therapy.”
“Hey!”
“Joke.” She chuckled. “Did you think about what Dr. Matthews said about having a session with Dad?”
My brows furrowed. “Yeah, but I’m not sure. I mean, I know he’s trying but it feels too much too soon.”
Things with Michael were complicated. He’d done something so amazing for Jessa and Nix but it didn’t negate the years of heartache and abandonment I’d felt at his hands. Not to mention all the lies and betrayal between us. Our relationship—if you could call it that—was a work in progress. And that was okay. If he genuinely wanted to repair things with me, he would wait.
“I’m so proud of you, you know?” Celeste said.
“You’re not going to cry are you?” I tried to lighten the mood.
“Ugh, it’s just I’ve loved having a sister around. Someone who gets me. You’re going to leave a big hole, Harleigh Wren Maguire.” She pouted again, and I grabbed her hand.
“We’re sisters,” I whispered, a little choked up. “Time or distance won’t change that, Celeste. Because we’re family.”
The kind of family you chose.
Nix
“Happy birthday, Birdie.” I trailed my lips over her collarbone, letting my hand drift over her hip. She gave a sleepy moan, wiggling closer to me, her ass brushing my morning wood.
Waking up next to Harleigh was one of my favorite things, and I had a lot where she was concerned. And now I got to do it every single morning.
I was a lucky fucker.
“Open your eyes, B,” I whispered. “Look at me.”
They fluttered open and I tumbled into her deep green irises.
“Hey.” She smiled around a yawn. “What time is it?”