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We all lift our glasses and clink them together.
“Shouldn’t that kind of toast be saved for our actual wedding day?” Theo asks, after he drains his glass.
“We’ll up the ante for the wedding, don’t you worry,” Scarlett says, sending Theo a mocking wink.
He rolls his eyes, laughing. My chest wells with emotion and I clear my throat.
“I’m glad I have my little brother back,” I say. “Theo was still trying to make the best of his life, Sof, but he was sad without you…hollow.” I look at Theo and he swallows hard, his eyes glistening and dammit, I feel that urge to cry again myself. Instead, I barrel through. “Seeing the weight off your shoulders, how happy you are…I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you this way again, and I’m grateful to you, Sofie, for bringing him back.”
“Oh my God, I love this family,” April cries, wiping her face.
I glance around the table and the girls are sniffling, Callum is staring at his plate like he’s willing it to levitate, anything to get out of this emotional moment, and my eyes pause on Marlow. She blinks and a tear rolls down her cheek, but somehow I manage to stay in my seat instead of rushing to her side to kiss it away the way I want to.
“To happy beginnings,” I say, still looking at her as I lift my glass.
“To happy beginnings,” the rest of the table echoes.
Everyone but Marlow.
Her gaze flutters away from mine and I feel the loss, but at the same time, I’m hopeful.
The fact that I haven’t known her for long doesn’t deter me in the slightest. I’m almost thirty fucking years old, a man knows when he’s in love…at least this one does.
I just hope to God I don’t have to wait eight years to have my happy beginning like Theo and Sofie did.
But if it comes to that, I will.
Marlow is worth waiting for.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
CODE
MARLOW
Damn him.
Why does he affect me so much?
It’s like I can never settle on one emotion when it comes to Wyatt. From the day I crashed into him, it’s been a never-ending series of twists and turns when it comes to my heart.
He got me all riled up before brunch and then swept me away all over again with the things he said to Sofie and Theo.
On our way back to the hotel, I feel Wyatt’s eyes on me, but he doesn’t try to talk to me, and I can’t help but be a little disappointed.
It’s official: I’m a mess.
The guys leave for their afternoon of golf, while we go shopping and have cocktails by the pool. It’s relaxing and yet, as hard as I try, I can’t seem to shake the thoughts of my night with Wyatt out of my mind.
I’m certain I cover it well, though. I’m determined to make this weekend special for Sofie.
I FaceTime with Dakota while I’m getting ready for dinner, and she tells me all the games they’ve been playing. I promise her I’ll be home soon, and she leans in to kiss the phone before hanging up.
When I come out in the dress I bought earlier—a short pale green dress with a bustier top that shows more cleavage than I’m used to—Holly and April whistle.
“You look gorgeous,” April says. “Wyatt is not going to know what to do with himself.” She giggles.
“What she said,” Holly agrees. “Makes me regret leaving tonight. Wow, that dress and your eyes.” She fans her face, grinning. “We’ll want details back in Landmark Mountain.”
