“How are you holding up?”
“I’m good. Happy. It’s… weird.”
Ouch. “Being happy?”
He nods, looking down at his lap before his eyes find Beck and Roman on the dance floor. “Kind of crazy that they wantme, huh?”
Double ouch. “No. I don’t think it’s crazy at all. They’re good people. You’re a good person.”
“You don’t know that,” Eli murmurs, glancing away. He says the words so softly, I have to strain to hear him.
“Maybe I don’t know everything. But I know enough.” I lean back against the table, bracing my elbows behind me, letting my arm rest against Eli’s. He leans slightly into the touch. “I’m a very good judge of character. I had to be.”
“It’s just… It’s hard to believe. That they’d want me. That you and Julian do. No one else ever has. Not even myparents. That’s like the number one job of a parent, y’know?”
“I do know.” I turn to him, waiting until he looks at me to continue. “My parents didn’t want me, either. I haven’t talked to them since I was your age. Julian hasn’t talked to his in over six years. Since before Wren was born. Our parents don’t get to define what we deserve or who we become. Look at Roman. If he let his parents dictate his life, he’d be an abusive alcoholic.”
Eli considers that for a second, then he nods. “You’re right.”
I laugh. “I always am, so file that away inthings to know about Uncle Hold.” He inhales a shaky breath, but I don’t want to make a big deal out of it. I just want to let him know that I’m here and what I want to be to him. “You know,” I muse. “When Wren was little, she called Beck and Ro ‘Unka.’” His huffed laugh makes me smile. “This is a special family.”
“I’m seeing that,” Eli whispers, his eyes settling on Ro and Beck.
“Can I tell you a secret?”
Eli nods, dragging his eyes from the dance floor to me.
I do my own slow sweep of the dance floor, my eyes landing on Roman and Beck. Those two really are something special. I owe my life to Ro, but I owe Julian to Beck.I’m not sure if I would’ve been brave enough to allow him to love me—to allow myself to lovehim—without Beck. I sigh. “This family loves people to madness. Completely. Faults and all. True love?” I nod toward Beck and Roman. “That exists. You don’t have to look any further than those two to see it. They’re as steady as it comes. Nothing you do or don’t do could change their love.”
“Are you…” Eli takes a deep breath. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. The right people, Eli? They’ll love you through everything. They’llstaythrough everything.”
He doesn’t answer, but that’s alright. I don’t need him to. I just need him to hear it. I nudge him with my shoulder. “So, why aren’t you dancing?”
He shrugs. “Not sure, really.”
“Well, that’s not a very good answer.” In a bit of perfect timing, the music changes to something upbeat and fun. I stand up. “Come on, then. Let’s go.”
Eli’s brows furrow. “Go where?”
“Dance,” I say, grinning at him.
There’s a beat of silence, then he’s blinking at me.Come on, Eli. Be brave.“Okay…” A huge smile spreads across his face and he stands, following me onto the dance floor.
For a few minutes, it’s just the two of us, making up goofy dance moves. But it’s not long before his boisterouslaughter has caught the attention of Beck and Ro, who start inching their way slowly across the floor to us.
When the three of them have settled into a rhythm together, I step back to search out Julian. I find him at the edge of the crowded floor, holding a glass of ice water out to me. “So perfect, darlin’. I knew you’d be good for him. Look at them.”
I turn around, leaning my back against Julian, his arms wrapping around my chest and swaying us slightly. “They’re such a beautiful family. He’s going to be fine. It might take some time. But they’re all going to be fine.”
By the time we get home, I’m dead on my feet, and I’m literallydyingfor cuddles. Actually, truly dying. Don’t judge me. The second I step into the bedroom, I’m kicking off my shoes and stripping out of my tux. I felt very fancy all dressed up, but now… I make a beeline for the dresser, where the shirt Julian slept in last night is waiting for me.
Pulling it over my head, I inhale deeply, soaking in his scent as it rushes up to greet my nose. Julian’s deep chuckle brings a smile to my face. “Didn’t even give me a show tonight,darlin’.”
“Nope. Couldn’t wait.” Not that he has any room to talk since he’s already stripped down to his boxers.
He smiles, coming over to where I’m standing. Julian picks me up, and I all but melt into his body as he carries me into the bathroom. He sits me down on the countertop and turns the water on in the sink, letting it warm up.
