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He doesn't relish the fact that we are going to be announcing the changing of the guard today. But at least he has the decency to stay quiet about it. That may or may not have something to do with the two hour closed-door meeting he had with Dare and Burn just prior to this.
Olive and Minnie sweep into the study, glasses of champagne fizzing in their hands. They are dressed to the nines, Olive in a sleek green dress that matches her calculating eyes, and Minnie in a frilly pink confection as deceptively sweet as her smile. But there is iron beneath the silk and lace.
"Congratulations!" Olive purrs, kissing Dare on both cheeks. She hands him a glass with a smile. "To the future."
"Hear, hear!" Minnie chimes in, pressing a flute into Burn's waiting hand. "Here's to taking over the world."
Dare chuckles. "It's just a company, Aunt Minnie."
"For now," she says with a grin. "But Rome wasn't built in a day."
They clink glasses in a toast, and I can't help but smile. Despite their flaws, this family has endured. Watching Minnie fuss over Dare's hair, and Olive pick up a napkin that Burn dropped, I feel a pang. They each care immensely in their own little ways.
And I'm so happy to have them in my little family. Scratch that... not so little anymore.
Dare catches my eye, raising his glass higher. "To new beginnings."
"New beginnings," I echo, meaning it with all my heart.
I turn my attention back to the party, watching the celebration unfold. Music plays softly in the background as guests mingle and chat, glasses clinking. In one corner of the room, Hope sleeps peacefully in her stroller, oblivious to the momentous occasion.Olive and Minnie make a fuss over the baby, cooing softly.
"Just look at that little angel," Olive sighs. "She has the Morgan nose."
Minnie chuckles. "Poor thing. Hopefully she inherits the chin to balance it out."
They both dissolve into giggles and I can't help but smile. They do dote on Hope and I can't fault a single thing they do.
Dare slides up beside me, slipping an arm around my waist. "Can you believe we pulled it off?" he murmurs, his breath tickling my ear.
I lean into him, breathing in the cool scent of his cologne. "I never doubted you for a second."
His eyes crinkle at the corners as he grins. "Liar."
Across the room, Burn is holding court, charming the investors and board members with ease. He catches my eye and winks, raising his glass in a silent toast.
I return my attention to Dare, raising up on my tiptoes for a kiss. The future unfurls before us, bright and full of promise. Together we will transform the Morgan legacy into something better, something good. All my life I've searched for home, for family, for belonging.
I've found it at last.
For the first time, I feel like I truly belong.
Dare's arm settles around my shoulders once more, the heat of his body warding off the chill. I lean into his strength, his warmth, and know that I have forever with this man.
ChapterForty-Two
DARE
The sun glints off the sea. I shade my eyes and look out as the yacht beneath me sails ahead.
Who knew that a chance meeting with Talia a year and a half ago would lead me where I’m standing today?
The sea churns beneath us, azure swells rolling under the bow of the sleek white yacht. Talia stands at the railing, wind whipping her red hair as she stares out at the approaching island. For now, it's just a dark smudge on the horizon. Beside her, I slide an arm around her waist, feeling comfort in the familiarity of that gesture.
I nuzzle her neck and take a moment to kiss her hot skin.
"Almost there," I say quietly.
Behind them, the Hope House kids race around the deck, laughing and shouting. Solana sits tucked against the cabin wall, knees to her chest, watching the others play. Her dark ponytail sways in the breeze.
