Page 253 of What We Become

“I had something prepared,” he says. “Loki read it and made me do it again.”

“You’re welcome,” Loki tells us.

Thor’s shoulders bounce.

Odin gives them both a look before returning his attention to our table.

“Apparently, congratulations shouldn’t sound like the opening of an annual meeting.”

“Apparently,” Loki agrees.

“So.” Odin lifts his glass. “I hope you continue to distract one another. I hope you keep finding excuses to celebrate. And I hope that, many years from now, you’re still making your guests wait for dinner because none of you wants to leave the dance floor.”

Sage squeezes my knee beneath the table.

“It’s been a pleasure watching you today,” he adds. “Thank you for inviting us. We can only hope to find the kind of love you all have one day.”

He sits, and Loki reaches over to straighten a lapel that doesn’t need straightening. Odin catches his hand before he can withdraw it.

Amy gets up last.

“Right. I’d like to address the husbands.”

We all straighten in our chairs.

“As the official best friend, there are a few ground rules to establish. One, I still get private conversations. Two, if she tells you she’s going out with me, that means me. It doesn’t mean me with five men at the next table wearing sunglasses.”

“That happened once,” Milo says.

I turn toward him.

Amy points at him with her glass. “Interesting. I made that up.”

“Then so did I.”

Sage drops her forehead against my shoulder, laughing.

Amy waits for her to look up again.

“I’ve been watching you all day,” she tells her. “And every time one of them calls you his wife, you get this little smile.”

Sage’s fingers tighten around mine.

“You’re doing it now.”

“Shut up, Ames.”

“Absolutely not. I’ve sat through enough conversations about these men. I’ve earned the right to stand here and embarrass you for thirty seconds.”

“Only thirty?”

“I’m being generous.” Amy’s smile trembles. “You look so happy, Sage. I love seeing you like this.”

Sage pushes back her chair.

“Wait. I haven’t done the toast.”

“Do it while I’m hugging you.”