Page 111 of Meant to be Mine

“That’s wonderful,” she said warmly. “Have you thought about which schools you might want to apply to?”

“Not yet. I need to get my head wrapped around the whole thing first.” I took a bite of my taco, grateful for the distraction. “But I’ve got time. The school year doesn’t start until September.”

“If you need any connections, let me know,” Victoria offered. “I know people at a few of the private schools through my charity work.”

“Thank you. I might take you up on that.”

Hollis raised his beer bottle. “I think we need another toast. To Drew and Kensey, who finally figured their shit out.”

“Hollis,” Tiana warned. “We’re in public. I know I saw a guy from TMZ here. That’s going to be printed.”

“What? I’m being sincere!” He kept his bottle raised. “To new beginnings and not being idiots anymore.”

Everyone laughed and raised their drinks. I clinked my water bottle against Drew’s beer, feeling absurdly happy despite the chaos of the last twenty-four hours.

“I can’t believe you quit your job for me,” I said quietly, just to Drew.

He turned to look at me, his green eyes serious. “I didn’t quit for you. I quit because I wanted to. And because it was the right thing to do. Now I want to do something different. My priorities have changed. I want the freedom to be where I want to be.”

“And where do you want to be?”

“Wherever you are,” he said simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

My throat tightened. “That’s really corny.”

He leaned in and kissed my temple. “Get used to it.”

I listened to the brothers bicker back and forth, feeling more relaxed than I had in days. This was what I’d been missing in New Jersey—not just Drew, but this whole dynamic. The easy banter, the inside jokes, the feeling of being part of family. I didn’t have a big family, but I missed my parents. I missed stopping by for dinner or grabbing coffee with my mom.

The conversation flowed easily, jumping from topic to topic. Someone brought up the yacht party and the disaster with Hollis and Micah forgetting the women’s names. That led to a debate about whether Jessica and Jennifer were actually that similar.

I watched the dynamic between all of them, the easy way they teased each other. This was what family looked like. And I was going to be part of it. The thought made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

All the cousins and their wives were weaving through the crowd toward our table. The New York contingent had apparently decided to join the party.

“Room for a few more?” Sebastian asked, already pulling up chairs.

“Always,” Drew said, shifting closer to me to make space.

Sebastian settled in across from us, his eyes moving between Drew and me. “So I hear congratulations are in order. On multiple fronts.”

“News travels fast,” Drew said.

“It does when it involves you stepping down from the store.” Adrian’s tone was neutral, but I caught the hint of curiosity underneath.

“Edith will do great,” Drew said.

“I’m sure she will,” Briggs said with a nod.

“And you’re moving back into the investment world?” Sebastian asked.

“That’s the plan.”

Adrian leaned forward, his expression interested. “We’ve been expanding the portfolio. Could use someone with your talent. You made your first billion before you were twenty-five. I think you’re going to make all of us a hell of a lot richer.”

“Let’s hope,” Drew said with a smile. “We’ll talk more once I get settled into the role.”

Adrian nodded, seemingly satisfied. “We’ll set up a call next week. Get you up to speed on what we’re working on.”