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“Thanks. Feels good to be here,” I reply. I’m fully aware thathereno longer means at the bar. Here means in this position, in this place in our lives. And when he nods at me with a wink, I know he gets it.
Ronan and Daisy get their drinks as I watch the door. When I spot Clay and Jade walking in, I feel instantly at ease. I love everyone in our party tonight, but these two are mine.
Jade winds her arms around my waist and presses her lips to mine. I curl her hair behind her ear and kiss her again, letting my gaze connect with hers.
Then, keeping my hand on her waist, I lean toward Clay for a kiss.
We get our drinks and then carry them over to the table. Everyone greets us as we sit down. They’ve already been introduced to Clay and Jade, but it still feels good to see them accepted by my friends.
Mia leans across the table and admires Jade’s floral dress. Drake and Clay share a laugh about something on the other side. This feels like a dream.
Emerson raises his glass as he calls out, “Cheers, friends. Ten years later, at the same bar that started it all.”
“Without the shiner this time,” Garrett adds, and the table erupts in laughter.
Emerson smirks at his friend before adding, “Look at how this table has grown over the years. I feel very blessed to have you all here with us now.” Then he calls, “Cheers.”
“Cheers,” everyone repeats as we all tap our glasses together.
As we set them down on the table, I look at Emerson at the head of the table. “So, what’s with the shiner? Did I miss something?”
“Oh, I love this story,” Hunter says, grinning over his beer.
“Wait, what story?” I ask. Emerson is wearing a mischievous grin.
Everyone around the table laughs.
“You haven’t heard that one? About Emerson getting a fist to the eye socket?” Garrett asks with a laugh. “It’s how we came up with the whole idea for Salacious.”
“No, but now I really want to hear it.”
Emerson rolls his eyes. Next to him, his wife Charlotte is snickering to herself. Her arm is looped through his as she stares up at him with love in her eyes.
As the table of friends chatter with each other, I glance around at each of the people seated there. Mia is sitting proudly next to Garrett as they both recap something with Isabel across the table, who is sitting happily between her two men, Drake and Hunter.
Next to them, my gaze catches Ronan’s. And there it pauses for a few moments as we stare at each other, having a silent conversation. If not for him, I wouldn’t be here. If not for what these people started over ten years ago, I don’t know if I’d even be alive. They may never know how much they saved me.
When Ronan smiles softly, I know he must be reading my thoughts. He reaches next to him to kiss the side of Daisy’s head as if to show just how blessed he feels too.
How did we get so lucky to find this family and this home?
Under the table, Clay squeezes my fingers in his, and Jade rests her head on my opposite shoulder.
Sofuckinglucky.
“Okay, okay,” I say, interrupting the commotion at the table. “Emerson, tell me the fucking story.”
Everyone falls silent and turns their attention to him.
He picks up his beer with an amused smile as he starts, “Okay, so this woman was sucking my cock…”
Rule #53: Real family sticks together.
Epilogue
Jade
Five years later
