Me
Hayden comes in a few days. I was thinking maybe I should put something together so he can meet the whole fam? And you couldmeet Dutton?
Sophie
Ohhh, I love that idea.
Me
I was afraid you were going to think it was too much.
Sophie
I didn’t say I wasn’t anxious about it, considering I haven’t seen your family since we started dating and I’m sure they want to semi-murder me over the Gordon thing. OR that this will be the first time my family has ever met the family of the man I’m in a relationship with. It’s a hard yes to both. Still, I think it’s a good idea that everyone meets.
Me
Hear me out on this part—I don’t think we should bring in the little ones yet. Let’s get past this big introduction, and then let’s tackle the littles. I know how excited they’ll be, but bringing in the girls is a major move, and I want to make sure they process this news correctly because it means they’ll be sharing their parents. That’s a lot to understand for two ladies who are so young.
Sophie
Yes, yes, yesss. Agree.
Me
Good.
Sophie
And for the record, I adore you.
Me
You know I feel the same way.
Out of all the places I could have chosen for tonight, including my house, I had picked Charred as the location for our family gathering. Nestled in a private room, which was fully staffed with some of our most attentive employees, everyone was mingling with one another. The three couples—Hart and Sadie, Beck and Jolie, Walker and Alivia—were in attendance. So was Eden, along with our cousin, Dutton.
I’d given Troy an invite as well. Given his relationship with Sophie, I thought it was important for him to be here. He showed up with Hayden, and I could see the relief on my girl’s face the moment the two guys walked in. She didn’t mention it, but I could tell she appreciated the backup. Not that the Westons held anything against her or had any ill will. Sophie had had a job to do, and she’d done it well. Still, the reassurance of having her family here had to alleviate some of her stress.
In preparation for tonight, I had told our staff to remove the large table, giving us ample space to move around, rather than being confined to a chair with only access to our neighbors. Instead of a full meal, I requested hors d’oeuvres, and in lieu of having them passed in trays, I requested stations to be placed in the corners of the room, allowing everyone to eat when they felt hungry.
We were a few hours in, and the highlight of my evening was watching Sophie. Although she was never far from my side, when she veered off a few steps to have conversations with each of my siblings, it made me fucking smile.
Especially when she was with Eden.
Of the whole group, my sister was the most challenging to win over. She allowed no one in. Eden believed trust was earned; it was never given. And trust took time; it didn’t come immediately. Shit, in most cases, for her, it never came at all. But to see her engaged with my girl was a promising start. Eventhough I was part of Hayden and Hart’s conversation, discussing some of the new yachts that had recently hit the market, my gaze kept returning to the two women. The way they were so focused on one another. How, even though I was sure Sophie sensed my stare, she never glanced my way, staying fully concentrated on my sister.
They were powerhouses. Two women who had lived through their fair share of darkness. Survivors who were now unstoppable.
They had more in common than they thought.
“Eden’s still single, isn’t she?”
I turned around, not realizing Dutton was behind me. The man moved like a ghost, soundlessly, without any warning.
With my back now to Hayden and Hart, I replied, “She is.”
Dutton had been here the last two weeks, diving deep into our business while spending his nights and weekends surfing. I couldn’t smell the saltwater on him, but I swore his hair was already a shade or two lighter than when he had arrived.
