Page 31 of One Quick Obsession

“And Sophia and Cale had the twins,” Isabella continued, smiling so brightly her cheeks looked like they were going to ache.

“Your family’s growing. I love it,” I said after a moment.

“Me too. After everything that’s happened, it’s good just to know that we’re finding our spaces. And you should know that Weston and I have decided we are not having kids,” she blurted and quickly went to her meal, cutting up her steak as if she was worried what we were going to say.

I met Ivy’s and then Harper’s gazes, before we each turned to Isabella. A pause. “Good for you.”

Isabella’s gaze shot up. “Really? We had been talking about it, and well, Weston practically raised his siblings, and I don’t know, I’ve always pictured myself being an aunt and helping my siblings and doing all of the fun things that comes with that, but I never really thought of myself as a mom.”

“You don’t have to be a parent in order to find your happily ever after,” Ivy said as she squeezed Isabella’s hand. “You and Weston are traveling more, and it’s not as if Weston’s siblings are completely out of the house since they can come back whenever they need to. So between them, and all of the Cages, you’re going to have plenty of family. I’m so glad that you’re making a decision for yourself, not for anyone else.”

Isabella let out a relieved sigh. “It’s not that I was afraid you guys would judge me, more that I didn’t know anything. I am so blessed with my family. With all of you, and I like the way that things are.”

“That just means you’re going to spoil your little nibblings even more,” I put in.

“Exactly. They deserve all the spoiling.”

“And if Dorian and I ever decide to have kids, I expect all the spoiling. And the babysitting.”

Ivy rolled her eyes. “You’ve already mentioned that you want plenty of kids, and Dorian is one of those men that screams breeder.”

I nearly choked on my wine. “Ivy!”

“What? He like gets all growly and protective around her. He’s ready to imprint his DNA all over that.” She waved her finger around Harper, and all of us burst into laughter.

The conversation turned to the upcoming parade, and yet another Cage-like event, and I sank into my wine, finally feeling relaxed after far too many months of hiding. My mother was safe at home. Luna would be visiting soon. My job was doing exactly what it needed to, and I wasn’t failing. At least that’s what I kept telling myself. And I was doing just fine. My father would get bored of bothering me soon, and Ronin hadn’t been back in a while. I was surviving and figuring out how to thrive. It was enough for now.

“I see you guys loved your filets and sea bass, are we thinking dessert?” Jackie asked as she cleared away our plates.

I put my hand over my stomach and shook my head. “Oh no, I have zero room. But dinner was delightful.”

“Yes, please tell the chef.” Isabella narrowed her gaze. “It’s not Theo, is it? I never see him, and he continues to hide from me. I think he’s scared of his sister.”

Jackie laughed. “It’s not Theo today, but he does like to show up unexpectedly.”

“You should ask that group chat of yours and force Theo to let you know when he’s here,” I said, hoping my words weren’t slurring. Maybe it was time to get a little more water into my system.

“I do need to head out soon though, I walked here, and I want to get some fresh air,” Luna said as she squeezed my hand. “Do you have a ride home?”

I blinked, feeling warm and happy. “I was going to do a rideshare. I’m okay.”

“You can go home with Weston and me. Or at least, we can drop you off,” Isabella said with a giggle. She’d had nearly as much as me.

“And then there’s Dorian of course. But then, with the way he looks at me, he might be in that breeder mood.”

I burst out laughing, as Isabella groaned into her hands.

“It’s okay, I’ll take her home.” That familiar voice slid down my spine, and I froze.

“What?” I burst out, turning in my seat so quickly the chair buckled. Hudson moved forward, wrapped one large hand around the arm of my chair, and the other on my shoulder.

“Easy there, Scar,” he mumbled.

The girls might’ve been speaking, but I couldn’t focus. Why was he here? What did he want?

“I was just having dinner with my brothers, and they’re here to take their women home.”

“Did I say that out loud?” I asked, my cheeks heating.