Cash nodded. “Back before kids and weddings and whole new careers.”
“I miss living here,” Ella admitted, leaning against the arm of the sofa and laying her feet across Cash’s lap. “Being close to everyone.”
“Do you think you guys might ever move back?” I asked.
“We'd love to, but it’ll be a while,” Cash answered. “The label is growing in LA, so that’s where I’ll need to be for the next few years. We’ll still visit often in the meantime, though. More often the older Betty gets.”
“Yeah, airplanes are stressful enough without wondering if your child is going to require an in-flight exorcism.” Ella blew out a breath. “But since Grace has decided to abandon me, the woman who gave her life, our visits will be more frequent.”
Grace chuckled. “By abandon, she means get married and move here so I can run the Nashville branch of Carrie On Records.”
I nudged her arm. “What? That’s amazing. Congratulations, Grace.”
“How is this possible?” Jax asked, shaking his head in disbelief. “I swear, you were only seventeen two weeks ago, and now you’re all grown up.”
“I can’t wait till you’re living here.” Liv smiled at Grace, who may as well have been her niece. “I’ll get to see you all the time.”
“Reveling in my pain, I see,” Ella teased Liv.
“Have you set a date for the wedding?” I asked Grace.
“Next October,” she said. “So, we’ve got about a year and a half to plan it.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to be a spinster?” Ella asked.
“I think I’ll pass,” Grace replied. “Actually, Luca, I was thinking I’d love to get married at the hobbit house if you end up keeping it.”
“I’d love that.” I said. “I’m hoping to hear something by the end of the week.”
“I really hope you get it. I know how much that place means to you.” Grace beamed before stifling a yawn.
I glanced over at her sleepy eyes. “It’s getting late.”
“Yeah,” Ella agreed, as everyone rose to stand. “It’s about an hour and a half past my bedtime. But man, tonight was fun. I needed this.”
“Me too,” I said as we all exchanged hugs.
Cash clapped me on the back. “You know we’ll do anything we can to help you prepare for that interview.”
“We all will,” Jax added. “We’re here for you, man.”
Liv placed a hand on my shoulder. “Always. We love you.”
“I love you guys too,” I said, amazed at how much more easily the words came.
Ella stepped in front of me, and I embraced her.
“Can I talk to you for a minute before we go?” I asked her.
She pulled back so she could look into my eyes, her brow furrowed with concern.
“Cash, do you mind getting Betty while I talk to Luca?” she asked.
“Of course,” he said. “Take all the time you need.”
“Let’s go to the kitchen,” she said, guiding me from the room. Once we were away from everyone, she spoke again. “What’s up? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I swallowed hard. “I just…I want to apologize….for not being there when your mom passed away.”
