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Nick and Leo immediately turned to him as soon as he sat down, and so did Gabe.
I had a few months left in Boston. Natalie was right. Maybe I could make more of an effort with my half brothers, but where did I begin? I'd spent the first few years after I found out about Dad’s infidelity pretending they didn't exist. After that, things always seemed too awkward to turn around, but maybe I was wrong.
"No, seriously, George. I told you we needed the white candles for the cake, not the black ones. They look like we're attending a funeral," Natalie said from a few feet away.
I laughed as I headed her way. Natalie cocked her brow at me, and I instantly stopped. I didn't want to diminish her authority, but just the fact that she'd said all that with a straight face was something. George himself looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole.
"I'll go buy new ones," he said and immediately left.
"Why are you smiling like that?" she asked me.
"I like seeing you in action. You’re fierce."
***
George came back withwhite candles twenty minutes later. My grandmother was beside herself with joy when they brought out the cake. I looked at her and my grandfather closely while we sang "Happy Birthday." He seemed exhausted. He'd only danced once with Grandmother, and then each of us grandchildren took turns dancing with her. I wanted both my grandparents to be happy and healthy. Clearly they were both at ease because we all were here and getting along. Grandfather's health was still not back to normal, but I hoped it would be soon. I was glad I’d been able to take everything off his plate.
Maddox, Leo, and Nick stood one step away from my brothers and me. It was the first event where all of us were in the same place. From a stranger's perspective, you couldn't immediately tell the two groups were related. My full brothers and I took a lot from our mother's side, especially the blue eyes. Our half brothers had a mix of green and brown eyes and our father's trademark black hair.
After the cake, Grandmother requested another round of dancing with each of her grandsons, and we obliged, of course. Anything to make her happy.
"Oh, I'm wrung out," she exclaimed. I was the last one to dance with her. She beamed at me. "You're an excellent dancer."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Stepping back, she turned around, facing the tables. "Everyone, it was lovely to have you here today, but my Abe really must go home, and I don't want to leave him alone. So come on, let's wrap this up."
This was just like my grandmother, short and to the point.
I walked over to our table. Gabe looked up at me. "I'm going out for a drink with Leo, Maddox, and Nick. Who wants to join us?"
"I'm about to head back to the office," Colton said, standing up.
"Dude, that's extreme even for you," I said.
"We're close to a breakthrough. I have to be there." I saw the intensity in his eyes. It was a characteristic we both shared, and I immediately understood.
Cade and Spencer shook their heads. "We've already made plans, but we can catch up another time," Spencer said.
Gabe looked at me. I smirked. Maddox caught that and whistled. "Don't have to say anything, dude. I can read the plans on your face."
I didn't even bother denying it. I wanted to spend the evening with Natalie.
She was still at her makeshift desk, typing away on her iPad as I snuck up behind her.
"Party's over," I said.
She looked up at me from over her shoulder. "Yes, it is. I love how relaxed everyone is. I heard your brother say they're going out. Are you joining them?"
"Hell no. All day I've been looking forward to the moment when I could get you alone."
"Oh." She blushed. "What do you want to do?"
"How about we head back to the hotel? I'll pamper you with room service."
She laughed. "Straight to the point, but it does sound great, especially because you have AC, and my home is like an oven right now."
"Then let's go."
