“I married into it. I’m allowed.”
He looks toward Penn then back at me. “Yeah. You are.”
I’m still holding Penn’s hand, and I look down at our joined fingers.
I married into this family.
Even with everything happening between Penn and me, that’s still true. These people are mine. Skyler, Bree, and Lindsey are my sisters. Logan, Miller, Guy, Ozzy, Zach, all of them, they’re mine too. And I don’t want to lose them. I won’t lose Penn either, no matter how much he thinks he needs to save me.
Guy leans back in his chair and stares at the opposite wall.
“So,” I say because I need something to keep my mind from spiraling, “is this mystery woman actually a mystery?”
His eyes jerk to mine. “Aria.”
“What? I’m just asking.”
He shrugs. “She’s a friend.”
I roll my eyes. “Uh-huh.”
He insists, “She is.”
“Okay.” I shrug.
He narrows his eyes. “Why do you sound like you don’t believe me?”
“Because I’m sitting beside a Brody man, and I’ve learned that when one of you says something too quickly, there’s usually more to it.”
Penn makes a sound beside me. “Careful.”
I look at him. “Am I wrong?”
He doesn’t answer.
Guy holds his phone up. “I’m going to call her.”
He stands up and walks away, putting his phone to his ear.
My mind goes back to what we’re here for. I stare at my hand that is being held by Penn. He’s holding on to me like he’s afraid I might disappear if he lets go.
A little while later, Miller stands up so fast his chair scoots back.
Zach is coming down the hallway.
Everyone freezes.
He takes off the scrub cap he’s wearing and smiles. “She’s here. Both mom and baby are doing well.”
The room erupts.
Bree and Lindsey start crying. Skyler’s mother sobs right into her husband’s chest. Logan hugs Miller hard enough to make him grunt, and Guy lets out a relieved laugh. Ozzy walks over to Zach and pulls him in for a hug.
Penn’s hand tightens around mine.
I press my free hand to my mouth, and tears fill my eyes before I can stop them.
I’m so happy.
