“Sage, I know this is happening fast, but Dylan asked if we want to move in with him and Saxon,” Emma says to her sister, and three sets of eyes turn Sage’s way. “If it’s too soon, we can wait. If you want to take time to get to know him, we can wait. If you don’t want to move in with …”
Sage flings herself into Emma’s arms and the woman I love makes room enough to hold Squid and her sister. I feel fucking tears burn the back of my eyes—and I’m not a crier. I’m not. The last time I cried was when I held Squid at the police station after they’d questioned him. Back then, I cried for him as much as for the loss of our mother. But this? Watching Emma hug and be hugged byour kids, has me ready to flood a swimming pool with tears.
“Sage, you are the most important person in the world to me,” Emma says, pulling away to stare at her sister while Squid still clings to her. “I love Dylan, and we’ve been kind of friends kind of dating since before the beginning of the season.”
“You love me?” I throw my hands in the air and cheer. “About fucking time you said it back.”
“Really? You only just hit me with the words like half an hour ago.”
“And you …like… never said it back.“ I tease back.
“I called you Mr. Perfect,” she says with a snort. “Being perfect isn’t enough for you?”
“But you …like… never said it back,“ I say petulantly because it kinda hurt my ego to have to wait for her to say the words.
“That’s because you …like… didn’t give me a chance and then …like… asked me to move in with you and then the Squid opened the door.”
“New house rules: zero gross couple stuff in front of the under-13s. We’re young and vulnerable and don’t need your brand of trauma,” Squid says with a laugh, sharing a nod with Sage who is grinning. That’s a good sign, right?
“Good thing the two of you can have one half of the penthouse, and this loved-up couple can have the other,” I say, before looking back at Sage who is standing next to Squid, a huge smile on her face. Damn, I have a little taste of how Emma feels, wanting to hear Sage say anything. “What do you say? Wanna check out the new digs later on today?”
When Sage grins and nods at her sister, we all start jumping in the air, hugging and kissing—even Squid hugs me. It’s like the last twenty-four hours have gone from shitstorm to bringing my family together and all because my asshole ex-agent decided to screw over my girl.
“So lit, but one condition,” Squid says with mock seriousness.
“Yeah?” I cock an eyebrow. Yes, we are brothers and I’m sure we’ll still fight like brothers even though I’m also his guardian.
“No one sayslikeanymore. Not unless you’re cringe.”
“Did you just call my girlfriend, cringe?” I joke.
“Ew, girlfriend? Do you want me to get the icks?” Squid mock throws up. “Not gonna lie, if the two of you are gonna go around holding hands and kissing, adult up and get a room. Sage and I don’t have to see it.”
“Do you even come with a dictionary?” I ask to be met with twin eye rolls. Yes, Sage and Squid have got the teenage attitude in spades.
“Back to the more important business of having our family living under one roof, I’ll get one of my team to drive by the penthouse and ensure there are no journalists around.” I look to Emma who doesn’t seem as happy as I’d expect.
“What if they are?” Emma asks. “I mean, what if we are photographed moving into your place? Why wait? I’ve already lost my job. What else are they gonna do?”
“For real?” Squid grabs Sage’s hand and starts dragging her into the kitchen. “Let’s start with clearing out all the food. Dylan only has healthy shit and I’m a growing boy.”
“So, we’re doing this?” I ask Emma.
“Well, I just said I love you. Either we move in together or we’re on a countdown to you being my next ex.”
My phone rings before I can arrange for removalists to help us pack, and I answer and put it on speaker. “Hunt, good timing.” Is it too soon to ask him if I can hire one of his associates to help sort out Emma’s bills? Yes.Slow down asshole.I need to ask her, first.
“Dylan.” I’ve never heard of a happy lawyer, but Hunt sounds like a different man to the one I called this morning. “We got ’em right where we want ’em. The only question is what does your lady friend want to do with ’em.”
I straighten. “You’re on speaker and Emma is here. Talk to us.”
“The termination letter has been retracted.” Behind me, Emma gasps and Squid and Sage rush to the doorway. I hold up my hand for them to shh. “I’ve sent a copy of their offer to Emma to look at. It includes an offer to make up for any embarrassment and hurt their actions caused. It’s ninety-five percent of my original demand but comes with no NDA.”
“What does that mean?” Emma asks, quietly.
“You’re not promisingnotto talk about it. You can sell your story to the highest bidder …”
“I’d never do that.”
