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Jamie grabbed Max by the shoulders and hauled him into a crushing embrace. “Thanks, man. Kenz is like a mom to me. It means the world to know you were there when she needed you.”
Emotion prickled at the back of my throat.Aww. Maybe I’d done something right in raising my hellions.
“Any time,” Max replied, then frowned. “Hold on, you know what? I’d rather this didn’t happen again. But I’ll be here if it does.”
“Thanks.” I kissed his cheek and then turned to Liam. “Are we going back to the cottage?”
“Actually….” Liam drew the word out. “I was wondering how you’d feel about staying at my place? Mum organized a cleaning spree while we were gone, so everything should be back to normal. I thought it might be easier for you to stay there since you were kidnapped from the cottage.” He watched my face carefully, waiting to see my reaction. “I didn’t want to bring back any bad memories when you’re already vulnerable.”
I blinked rapidly.Do not cry. “That’s really sweet. Let’s do that.” I glanced at my siblings. “Uh, will we all fit?”
“We can make it work.” Liam kissed my forehead, and I closed my eyes and breathed in his comforting scent.
“If not, we can always book a hotel,” Blair said. “I don’t want to go back to the cottages either.”
“We’ll figure it out,” I said. “For now, let’s just get over there. I need to sit down.”
The helicopter pilot waved and ducked into the cockpit. I took Liam’s hand and we walked around the Medical Center together. Out front, standing beside a car, was Asher. He nodded as we approached.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said, opening the passenger door for me.
Impulsively, I wrapped my good arm around him. “Thanks, Ash.”
Somehow, I knew we’d moved past any hostility between us. He’d quietly accepted me back into the fold, and since he was Liam’s closest friend, that meant something. I wanted him to know I appreciated it.
He returned the hug awkwardly. “Just doing my job.”
Liam and Blair got into the car with us, while Joel, Jamie, and Mina piled into Max’s vehicle. The drive to Liam’s place didn’t take long, and I was surprised to see several other cars parked outside. When we entered, a cheer went up.
I smiled so widely, my face hurt. They hadn’t just tidied Liam’s place—they’d also replaced his ruined furniture. Eugene and Heather were seated on the sofa, Summer was on an armchair, and Toby leaned against the wall, his legs crossed at the ankles. Even Nate and Grace were there, with Grace serving hot drinks and Nate acting as her assistant. My gaze lingered on them for a moment, noticing the way Grace seemed hyperaware of Nate’s movements and noting the fact he seemed to know exactly what she needed and when. I wondered at their friendship once again. Eleven years ago, I’d thought they’d be married one day, and I still wasn’t convinced they wouldn’t.
Heather guided me onto an armchair, fussing and making sure I had a blanket in case I got cold—never mind that it was midsummer and the temperature reflected that. I thanked her and happily accepted her maternal bustling. It was nice to be on the receiving end.
“I can’t believe you all took time away from work to be here,” I said, when introductions had been made and everyone had gotten comfortable.
“Of course we did,” Summer replied dismissively. “That’s what family does.”
Family.
I liked the sound of that. Especially when almost everyone I most cared about was in this room.
“So, what’s it like to be shot?” Toby asked, earning glares from Summer and Heather. “You must have a badass scar.”
Joel nodded approvingly and held his hand up for a high five. Meanwhile, Mina looked at the ceiling as if to ask the universe why men were such children. Their responses made me smile.
“I wouldn’t recommend it,” I told Toby. “I’ve got weeks of rehab ahead, and it hurts like hell.”
“True.” He inclined his head.
A knock on the door interrupted the conversation. I looked around, curious who it could be.
“I’ll get it,” Jamie said, already on his way to the foyer. His voice carried through. “Who are you?”
“Aiden. I’m here to see Kennedy.” The familiar timbre sent a shiver down my spine—and not a pleasant one. Even though I knew now that Aiden hadn’t been stalking me, I still didn’t like the way he made me feel.
“Kenz? Are you open to visitors?” Jamie called.
I didn’t really want to see Aiden, but since I was surrounded by people like this, it was probably the best time for it.
