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And for a man who’s been so used to hell, heaven feels too good right now.
“Yay, it’s Kadriel!” Sophia rushes through the foyer and straight into my arms.
I lift her in the air as Kayla laughs.
“Who is Kadriel?” I ask, completely confused.
“You know…” My niece rolls her eyes. “Kayla and Adriel together? Kadriel?”
“Oh.” I nod, slowly scratching my temple as I stare at my fiancée.
Shit, that sounds too good.
Michael and Elsie stroll toward us hand in hand. Elsie approaches first, smiling at us.
“Thank you for coming, guys.” Her stare holds mine for a moment before she hugs Kayla. And when she sees that ring, her eyes explode. “I’m sorry, are you two…”
Kayla looks down at her hand. “Oh, this old thing?”
Then she’s nodding, and Elsie is squealing with excitement.
“Oh my God!” Her eyes water over. “I’m so happy right now! This is amazing news. Right, babe?”
She glances back at Michael, who nods, tentatively approaching me.
“Congratulations.” His hand reaches for me.
I stare at it, not sure if I should extend the same gesture. I can’t just pretend that we’re all okay. That it isn’t strange for me to be here with them. Like I’m part of all this.
Sophia snickers. “Would you two shake hands already?”
Michael laughs, and I do too.
“Fine. Fine,” I say giving him my palm, and he slaps his hand into it.
“See? We can all be friends now. Right, Daddy?” She narrows her gaze.
“Whatever you want, princess,” he tells her. “It’s your birthday.”
“Good!” She slants her chin. “I think it should be my birthday every day, then. So I can make the laws around here.”
“Oh, really?” I ask. “And what laws would you create?”
With Michael beside me and the ladies behind us, we start toward the noise coming from the rest of the guests.
“Well, for starters…” Sophia considers. “I’d make everyone get along.”
Michael shifts uncomfortably.
“I’d also make it a rule that everyone must eat ice cream for breakfast.”
“Wow.” I look up at her. “Sounds like you’d be a great president one day.”
“I think so too.”
As soon as we step into the large family room, everyone quiets, like someone has muted the volume. So many faces here: the Cavaleri brothers and their significant others, my parents, even Kayla’s parents.
Fuck. I just wanna run, but instead, I reach for Kayla’s hand and hold it like a lifeline.
