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Ahundred faces flashed past me as I weaved through the crowd, scanning features for the familiarity I loved so much. As I moved, gently weaving past gorgeous women and handsome men all dressed to the nines, my heart started to race with excitement. What sense of calm I had grasped while caring for the children effectively slipped away when the only loud thought in my mind was the text message I had received back at the house.
I was about toburst. Half a loop of the ballroom and I located Jax, Theo, and Luke lingering by the bar with drinks in hand, and happy yet tired faces turned to each other. It was impossible to keep the skip out of my step as I approached, and upon reaching them, I tapped Jax on the shoulder, beaming.
“Summer!” Jax swept around and pulled me into his arms with no warning. He held me close, my nose filling with his familiar aftershave and the anxious patter of my heart ticking up somewhat at being in his arms. He pressed a kiss to my cheek and then stepped back as Luke and Theo swept in and repeated the act of affection. Such love in the face of such a large crowd, but they didn’t seem to care.
I liked that.
“Sorry I’m late,” I apologized quickly.
“Nonsense,” Theo chuckled, “there was no start time.”
“Your darlings are here, seated at the table, and on their best behavior. Disney World is looking more and more likely.”
Three pairs of eyes lit up before me and glasses were placed on the bar.
“They arrived all in one piece?” Luke chuckled, pushing off where he had settled on the bar. “You really are a miracle worker.”
“Better sayhibefore someone with a camera snaps a picture of them alone, and we end up on the front page,” Theo chuckled, but as they moved off I shot out a hand and grasped Jax’s forearm.
“Actually… there’s something I want to say first if that’s okay?” Nerves punched my heart into my throat, and my gut released a thousand butterflies into my chest cavity.
“Is everything okay?” Jax’s wonderful smile wavered slightly.
“Has something happened?” Theo flexed his bandaged hand, white stripes hiding the damage from his assault on Felix.
“Summer?” Luke stepped forward, and I held up a hand to force him to keep his distance. Knowing my luck, my resolve would collapse the moment one of them touched me.
“Everything is fine,” I assured quickly. “More than fine actually, I—” I clasped my hands together, my fingertips running repeatedly over the rise of my knuckles as I searched for the right words. Nothing seemed powerful enough to explain what I was feeling. Studying them, the noise of the party faded from focus, and I took a deep, steadying breath.
“I want to say thank you for taking a chance on me all those weeks ago. I know I didn’t exactly showcase as the mostput-togetherperson, but you took a gamble on me, and I can’t ever express how thankful I am for that. And also because you—you make me feel loved in a way I’ve never experienced before. It’s intense, and sometimes it scares me a little—what you will do for me.” My gaze lingers briefly on Theo. “But at the same time, it’s exhilarating, and I never thought someone like me even deserved this kind of love after… after everything.”
A lump started to form in my throat, and I swallowed hard, trying to force it away.
“Not only that, you welcomed me into your family and accepted me, trusted me to care for your children, and in turn the love they have given me is… well I never saw myself as someone destined for something like that, but now I can’t imagine my life without them. Or you. And I just…” I paused as my lower lip trembled, and Jax took a half step forward when my words shook but I continued on. “I love you. All of you. And I know it’s messy and not traditional and I don’t fully understand it, but I’m here. If you still want me. I want to stay and I’m so over the moon that you’ve allowed me to be a part of all your lives for so long and I’d like—I’d really like to keep going.”
“Summer,” Luke began softly, “you have no idea how happy—”
“Wait” I cut him off gently. “There’s one more thing, and I need to get it out before I lose all confidence speaking like this with God knows who else listening.”
Each man remained silent.
“Jax… you need to call your lawyer. He couldn’t give me specifics because I’m an outsider, but a few days ago, I called Marina and we chatted. Or more, I was a bit of an asshole, and she taunted me, but the things she said—she basically confessed to me. Tabitha helped me send it to your lawyer, and he is expecting your call.”
Jax’s rosy face paled slightly, and he immediately rummaged for his phone and stepped away.
“Summer, what did you do?” Theo asked softly, stepping closer.
A short, nervous laugh escaped me as I pressed a steadying hand to my abdomen, the ridges of my corset nudging into my palm.
“She confessed and I just recorded it. I don’t know how well that stands up in court but for a woman so obsessed with her reputation… I thought we could do something with it.” Tearing my gaze away from Jax, I looked up at Luke and Theo.
“So, you want to stay?” Theo asked softly, and I nodded.
“With us?” Luke repeated. I nodded again.
“If you’ll have me,” I whispered hoarsely.
“Always,” they said in unison. Their heads ducked and for a sweet moment, there was nothing but the warmth of their hands on my skin and their lips writing love gently onto my jaw.
