“More like telling me that pink bookshelves are scandalous,” I mutter, swiping to accept the call.
“Hello, Mum,” I say brightly.
“I saw the article.” No greeting. Classic.
“Oh?”
The line crackles for a second. I brace myself.
“You know… I suppose it’scharmingin its own way,” she says begrudgingly. “Though I don’t understand the fascination with displaying large neon cocks?—”
“It’s whimsical!” I protest, biting back laughter.
“Your grandmother would faint.”
Julian, overhearing, snorts softly. Kai’s shoulders shake with silent laughter.
Mum sighs, the sound distant but somehow fond. “Regardless. I saw the photo of you and Julian with his friend. What’s his name? He’s very handsome.”
“Mum, I can’t really talk right now,” I tell her, trying to hide the amusement from my voice.
“I just wanted to tell you that you look happy.”
I glance toward the front window where Julian is now perched on the arm of Kai’s chair, leaning against him like he belongs there. Because he does.
“I am,” I say softly.
She pauses. I wait, half expecting some sort of unsolicited advice about propriety or how “ladies don’t open sex-positive bookshops.”
But instead, she says, “I’m glad, Sophia. I mean it.”
My throat tightens unexpectedly.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
There’s another pause, but this time it feels lighter.
“Well. I’ll let you go. Tell Julian I expect him to send something nice for Christmas this year.”
“I will,” I say, smiling.
I hang up just as Julian strolls over, hands in his pockets. “So… what did Her Majesty have to say?”
“Oh, shelovedthe flashing neon cock, obviously,” I tease, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“Obviously.” He presses a kiss to my forehead, and then lowers his voice just enough for only me to hear. “Wait until she finds out about us being a throuple. It might kill her.”
I laugh softly, pressing my face into his chest.
Kai joins us a second later, sliding his arm around my shoulders and pulling me in the rest of the way. “If it helps, my brothers love you and we’re all incredibly proud of you,” he murmurs against my temple.
I tilt my head up to meet his gaze. “Thank you.”
Behind us, I hear Orion grumble something to Miles about book placement, Liam teasing Zoe as she flips through an age gap romance book, and Stella already planning the next window display.
Julian sighs, nuzzling into my hair. “We should have a name for these family gatherings. Like a fraternity.”
“Or a cult,” I joke.
