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“Can you both shut the hell up?” Hudson thunders. “I’m not talking about you.” He turns his gaze back on me and West, and I can see the annoyance in his eyes. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

“I’ve come to ask for your sister’s hand in marriage,” West says, his tone cool, like he’s in a business meeting, not dropping a bomb on my brother’s front step.

“Can we go inside?” Autumn asks. “I’m getting cold out here.”

There’s no chill in the air. I know it’s because she can’t see all of our faces, and there’s nothing she hates more than feeling left out. Still, Hudson nods, his face impassive, and we all traipse in. West laces his fingers through mine and squeezes them tight. I squeeze back, letting him know we’re in this together.

Francie and Skyler are standing in the kitchen hallway, straining to listen to what’s happening.

“You two, in my office,” Hudson barks at West and me. West lets out a chuckle, but he does what his best friend asks. Of course everybody follows, so we’re all squeezed into Hudson’s oak paneled room.

“You think he’s going to make me write lines on the chalkboard?” West murmurs low enough for only me to hear.

Hudson lets out a long breath then turns slowly around to look at us. “What’s going on here?” he asks. “Why are you already wearing wedding rings? Are you two…” he shakes hishead, like the thought pains him. “Intimate?” He sinks into his desk chair like that thought’s too much for him.

Autumn coughs loudly. Parker steps back, like he’s trying to get out of the line of fire.

“I’m in love with your sister,” West says. “So yes. Very intimate.” He glances at me, like he’s trying to check if I’m okay. “And we’re also already married.”

“Oh my God,” Skyler shouts. Then she, Francie, and Autumn start whispering to each other furiously.

“You knew?” Francie asks her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“What the hell?” Asher asks. He’s looking straight at West, a hurt expression pulling at his features. “You and Eden? That’s…” He shakes his head. “That’s disgusting.”

It’s funny, because I expected Hudson to be the furious one. Maybe he is, but Asher’s the one who looks physically gutted.

“You’re supposed to be our friend,” he says, his voice cracking. “And you went after our baby sister?”

“Correction,” Autumn cuts in. “Your grown-up sister. Who doesn’t need your permission.”

“Stay out of this, Autumn,” Asher snaps.

“Don’t you dare talk to her like that,” Parker warns, stepping between Asher and Autumn.

Hudson slams his palm flat against his desk, and the sound makes everyone freeze. “Enough.” His eyes cut to West, cold and sharp. “You’d better start talking, because right now I’m wondering if I even know who the hell you are.”

All their eyes are on us, sharp and accusing, and my stomach knots so tight I swear I might throw up. Hudson’s glare could cut glass. Asher looks like somebody kicked him in the gut. And for a second, I almost want to take it back. To tell them we were joking, to drag West out of this office, and never look back.

But then his fingers tighten around mine. Grounding me. Anchoring me.

“You do know me,” West says, his voice even but firm. “You always have. And I know I’ve fucked up more times than I can count, but don’t ever think this is one of them. I love your sister. I married your sister. And I won’t apologize for that.”

The words sit in the air like a bomb.

Autumn lets out a low “wow.” Francie gasps. Skyler covers her mouth with her hand.

“Eden.” Hudson’s voice is thick. “Is this what you want?”

I look at him, the man who’s always protected me. The one who took care of us when our parents didn’t. The one who got our home back after I lost it.

“He’s everything I want,” I tell him. “And don’t be mad at him. This isn’t his fault. If it’s anybody’s fault, it’s mine.”

“Of course it isn’t.”

I put my hand up. “You asked me a question. I haven’t finished.” I squeeze West’s hand, wanting him to know that I’ve got this. I want this. Maybe I even need it. “I’m in love with him, too. He’s everything.” I look up at West, his warm gaze on mine. “He makes me laugh, he holds me when I cry. He’ll do anything to take care of me. I want you all to be happy for me. For us.”

“Of course we are,” Autumn says quickly. “Especially if that means you’re staying. That’s what you said, right?”