We located a sitting area along the back wall of the room as Byron and Harris arrived with food. We all picked up our glasses of orange juice, and Harris dipped a crumbed strip of chicken into a ramekin of creamy sauce and bit into it. He scrunched up his nose. “Ugh, I could do so much better than this.”
“Shut up and enjoy it for what it is,” Eric responded.
Byron lifted his glass. “A toast.”
We turned our attention to the quieter man in the group.
“To our London adventure, the adventures to come, and to our family and friends.” He ticked a glance toward Jack, then to me. “Most especially to our lady.”
My mouth dropped open. “Me?”
“Yeah. Because of how much you’ve improved all of our lives. In one way or another, without even trying, you’ve helped us. You make sure we all abstain from drinking around Tate, always manage to pull Harris out of his darkness, accept the love Royce and Jack have for one another, always help Eric with his philanthropic gestures, and pull me out of my solitude.”
Royce ran his hand over Jack’s thigh. “What he says is true.”
The men all lifted their glasses toward me, and I blushed. I smoothed down the fabric of my light blue dress. “You’d better let me toast you guys too. It’s with your help I’ve gotten my life back on track and realize it’s okay for me to love again, and the way you all respect Alex’s memory…” I swallowed the lump of emotion forming in my throat. “You’re all so understanding.”
“We couldn’t be anything else, pretty girl,” Jack assured me.
“Alex was awesome,” Royce said.
I didn’t realize I was crying until Byron kneeled before me and brushed a wayward tear from my cheek.
“I love you so much.” Byron hesitated.
I widened my eyes at him. “What did you just say?”
“I said—”
“Louisa!”The shrill of my name interrupted him.
There appeared to be a touch of disappointment in Byron’s eyes as he dropped his gaze and backed away to let an excited Sienna get to me.
My best friend had her arms around me before I was barely on my feet. My face was squishing into her shoulder as she held me so tight I thought I might pop.
But I didn’t care.
My best friend was here. We were here, together in London,finally. “I missed you so much, Sin.”
She pulled back, and her soulful brown eyes held my teal gaze. “You have no idea what it’s been like not being able to hang out with you. I havesomuch to tell you! How long are you in London, and how much can I have with you?”
“We’re here for almost two weeks. I have a few things on the agenda, but you’re part of that. We need to squeeze in as much you-and-me time as possible,” I said as I glanced across at the guys.
“I’m so glad you said that. Hi, guys.” Sienna waved at everyone, and they greeted her.
Tucking her tight black dress under her thighs, she held my hand as she sat beside me. The gold sequins surrounding the dress’ bust and shoulders captured glints of light whenever she moved, accentuating her cleavage.
Tate leaned his elbow on his knees and angled his body toward Sienna. “How is Estate Styles treating you?”
Her smile faltered for a moment, but then I thought maybe I imagined it because it was back in an instant.
“It’s the best job I’ve ever had. Nothing against Rawlins Industries, Tate, but the mailroom was so not me. I’m working for one of the most distinguished fashion houses in the world. I’m in a new country and experiencing so much. I’ll be forever grateful to you for getting me this gig.”
“Please.” Tate held out a staying hand. “You’re the one who landed the job. I simply provided a reference.”
Eric held his hand out toward her. “I hear congratulations are in order. You’re into the modeling scene now?”
“Oh, no, I did that once. You won’t be seeing me in any further campaigns. I belong behind the scenes. Trust me, that was insane.”