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He checks his watch, then looks down at me with a raised brow. “Thirty minutes. That’s all I’m giving this.”
I squeeze his hand. “We’ll see.” I love the way he always wants me. The moment he arrives back from wherever his latest meeting is, he puts his bag down, kicks his shoes off, then carries me up to bed.
And it always takes a lot longer than five minutes.
As we step into the throng, the karaoke machine is already blaring. Jesse and Bennett are on the tiny stage, arms wrapped around each other as they scream their way through “Like a Virgin”. The crowd is howling, drinks spilling as people clap and whistle.
“Oh my God,” I laugh, covering my mouth. “Are they seriously?—”
“Yes,” West mutters, dragging a hand over his face. “And no, I am not singing with them.”
“Killjoy,” I whisper, grinning, because his jaw is tight and his eyes are locked on me like I’m the only thing in the room.
Autumn and Skyler are running the show from behind the bar, Skyler telling Autumn to enjoy the party instead of carrying trays of food to the tables.
Parker is already trying to take the tray from her, but she bats him away, muttering about being pregnant not useless.
Hudson is leaning against the bar, arms folded, pretending he’s too cool for karaoke even though his foot is tapping along to the music. Asher, on the other hand, looks like he wants to disappear as Francie drags him closer to the stage, clapping wildly in time with the music.
It’s pure, messy Fitzgerald chaos. And I love it the same way I love all of them.
West watches us with a look that says he’d rather be anywhere else. But his hand never leaves mine. Every time I tug him toward someone to say hello, he follows. Every time I laugh, his thumb brushes over my knuckles like he’s reminding himself I’m still here.
“Twenty-five minutes,” he murmurs again in my ear, low enough so only I can hear.
I tilt my head up at him, biting back a smile. “Shut up. You’re already having fun.”
His lips twitch. “I’m watching you have fun. That’s enough.”
God, he’s so sweet sometimes. No wonder I adore him.
Before I can reply, the door bursts open, slamming against the wall. Zach strides in, suitcase in hand, his expression stormy as he scans the decorations. “Well at least there’s a party this time.”
“Zach!” I squeal, running over to throw my arms around him. “You came back!” I can’t remember the last time I saw him, and I’m stupidly touched he actually interrupted his constant flights around the world to be here.
Again.
He hugs me once, awkward and stiff, then mutters, “What’s with all the decorations? I thought you were already married.”
“We are,” I say at exactly the same time as West says, “Yeah, but we’re doing it again.”
Zach looks from me to West. “You can tell me about it later. And we need to get Wyatt here somehow.”
“One beer, for my absent brother,” Autumn says, trying to lean over the counter to hug Zach, her swollen belly stopping her. “Ah, damn. I hate this. I keep thinking if I just suck it in this thing will go flat for me.”
Zach laughs and does the leaning in for them both, kissing her cheek. “Hey sis. You’re looking beautiful.”
She beams. “Hey big bro.”
West slides his hand around my waist. “You happy?” he asks me.
“I really am,” I agree.
“That’s good. Because you have twenty minutes left to enjoy the party.”
But of course it takes longer than that. More like two hours pass before we finally run out into the night, leaving behind the chaos of Parker and Autumn singing “Time of My Life”. Hudson and Skyler are attempting to Dirty Dance for all to see, as Bennett and Jesse flirt with a crowd of older women who work for Hudson at the hotel.
Seeing my family looking so happy makes my heart full.