Page 156 of Holding You

“Do you really not know the answers to these questions? You did grow up here.”

“I probably should, but I don’t ask that many when it’s just us guys. And as you know, I was a little too busy being the best at everything to be social.”

Again, I roll my eyes, but this time he kisses me.

“You should know these things. You’re officially a small-town guy again.”

“Just fill me in.”

“Okay, so Dutton is the oldest, and he was always in trouble growing up. He had that real bad boy image going for him during high school, but he left for college and moved back after he graduated. Classic small-town boy move.”

“I knew that much, Ruby.”

“Fine. Then there is Grace. She also did the college thing but doubled up on classes to come back and run the Lodge. Did you know their dad is about to retire and he’s going to have to pick between Grace and Dutton?”

“Is Grace as competitive as Dutton?”

“Very. Then there is Gavin, who I’m surprised is here, because he’s a single dad and goes nowhere without his daughter. Then there is Wren—she was an oopsie baby.”

“How do you know all of this?” Declan asks.

“I like to ask questions,” I answer with a shrug. “Girls’ nights are never short of discussion.”

“Do you think people ask these kinds of questions about us?”

I volley my head. “Probably.”

The song changes to something faster, and the kids run out to us on the dance floor. Susie immediately goes to dance with Declan and Max with me. The bride and groom take a spot next to us, and then Miles, Quinn, Luca, Shay, and my dad appear.

Soon, all our friends are on the floor, and everyone is dancing and singing to the words.

Declan’s eyes catch mine over the kids, and he mouths,I love you.

I love you,too, I mouth back and then can’t help but smile.

This is my life now, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

****