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We used to be anyway.
Beej smiles at his parents and Lily nudges Ham excitedly.
Hamish winks at his son — it’s hereditary, their capacity to wink all amazing like that.
“So happy to see you, sweetheart.” Hamish kisses my cheek before they walk away.
Beej faces me, looks down at me a little.
“You brought your gang lord boyfriend to my baby sister’s birthday?”
“Not my boyfriend,” I tell him with tall eyebrows.
He eyes me. “Not my point.”
I poke him in the chest just for a reason to touch him. “You bought your gang lord best friend.”
His face twitches a little, trying not to smile.
“Also not my point.”
“Is your point that you wanted me to come here alone so that you could flaunt that girlfriend of yours — who you don’t love — in front of me?” I ask, eyebrow cocked. “Make me feel sad that you’re here with her instead of me?”
His face goes serious. “Parks—”
I shake my head at him, cut him off. “You don’t need to try, Beej. I’m always sad you’re with her.”
“Listen, we need to talk ab—”
“Magnolia!” Allie throws her arms around my neck excitedly, Bridge standing behind her.
BJ sighs at the interruption, flashes his sister a smile, his eyes tired.
“Allie B!” I force a bright smile as I throw my arms around her. “Happy birthday!”
“Do you like my dress?” She gestures to herself in the embellished velvet-trimmed silk-crepe and stretch-jersey gown from Gucci.
I nod approvingly. “I do.”
“Thanks.” She shrugs. “My big brother’s ex-girlfriend with whom he truly belongs gave it to me.”
I smile at her fondly, adjusting the belt a little bit on her. “She has great taste.”
“She does.” She smooths her skirt.
“Big head too,” my sister chimes in and BJ laughs.
“And where’s the sexy gang lord?” Allie looks around. “I’d like to meet him.”
Beej makes a noise in the back of his throat and walks away.
“Fuck him.” She nods after him, resolute.
“Honestly, I‘d love to. Though last time I did that it ended quite poorly, so—” I give her a look. Allie laughs and smacks my arm and my sister rolls her eyes as she says my name.
“Come on.” Bridget takes Al’s hand, leading her over to Julian.
I trail after them, looking over my shoulder to find where BJ is in the room. He’s standing in the corner with Henry, Henry’s talking to him, voraciously using his hands to make a point and BJ’s just watching me.
