“I know that too. Just chill out, D. She’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine. Just look after you and your girl. The rest will follow, okay?”

“Did someone put positivity pills in your coffee this week?”

I laugh because for the last few months it’s been Denham giving me the pep talk and me having to listen to his words of wisdom and encouraging advice. “Something like that.” Something like Lottie.

“Not that I’m complaining, bro. It’s fucking great to see a smile on your face. What changed?”

I take a deep breath. The Kings are a stubborn lot and it’s hard for me to admit when I’m wrong. But I was wrong about a lot of things and I’m putting the wheels in motion to change that.

“Me. I’ve changed. I know, it took long enough. I also know I can’t take back some of the things I’ve said or done, but I’m going to do my absolute best to make it right.”

Denham cups his great big palm affectionately against the side of my face, making me look at him. “I’m fucking proud of you, Spike. Really fucking proud. We’ll be okay. All of us. It’ll work out.”

“I know it will. Thanks, D.” I nod, swallowing hard.

“Okay.” He straightens up, man moment over. “I better get back to helping. Ari has a list of things for me to get ready. I swear she thinks she’s hosting a lunch for the fucking President.”

“Good luck with that.”

“Gonna fucking need it,” he mumbles, jumping out of the car to come around to my side.

“Oh, D?” I call after him and he turns back to me. “Thanks.”

He acknowledges me with a salute. “Let’s get to it.” He rolls his eyes and shakes his head, but he can’t hide the love and devotion he feels for Arianna. Dude is so whipped, and he loves it. Seeing him happy is something I never thought I would see. He was so set on running this place and watching over us as a family that he never gave himself the time to build a life and a future for himself. But it all changed when he met Arianna. He’s happy to loosen the reins on this place. He’s happy looking forward to a future with the love of his life and I know that’s what I want, too. I’m not sure if Lottie will forgive me or if I pushed away too far. But I can’t imagine my future with anyone else and if I’ve learned anything from the kids at the therapy place, it’s that you have to be made of stronger stuff and when you think you’re done, you’re not. There’s always more to give, always more to fight for.

When I’m back in my apartment, I grab an iced coffee and wheel out to my favorite spot on the balcony, looking over the strip. The sun is hot on my skin and I tilt my head up to the sky. A plane flies over, one of many that fly over Las Vegas.

I grab my cell and take a photo of the beautiful sharp blue sky, broken up only by cotton white clouds and the trail that the plane leave behind. Impulsively, I open the picture in a message to Lottie.

We see the same sky xx

“Okay! Now that I have you all here, I want to say a few words,” Denham announces, tapping a knife on his wine glass. Arianna and Mom have gone over and above just a simple dinner, and I know my mom is loving having another girl around the place that she can be extravagant with.

“I know the last few months haven’t been easy, we’ve all had a pretty rough time of it and it’s nice for once that we can come together for something happy, I think. Although it scares the crap out of me, and I think I might need Valium for the next week,” Denham says with a laugh before turning his attention to Tara. “I’m unbelievably proud of you, little sis. I can’t even imagine how quiet it’s going to be without you here.” He swallows noisily, taking a deep breath before he can continue, “Actually. I can imagine. It’s gonna be bliss, right, Ari?” The table erupts with much needed, lighthearted laughter. “I also think my wallet might be fuller for longer.” Arianna raises a brow at him at this comment. “Hmmm, maybe not. Anyway, I just want to say I’m so proud of you for being so fearless and independent and I want to remind you that you’re not invincible, but you are pretty remarkable. I want you to promise that you will call me if you need anything, anything at all, yes?”

“I will, thanks, D.” Tara jumps out of her seat and flings her arms around his neck. He holds her tight as if he doesn’t want to let her go and I think this is harder on him than any of us. They might bicker and have differing opinions at every turn, but they’re also really close. D not only sees her as a sister but he takes the place of her father figure too. Tara makes her way around the table, and everyone stands to give her a hug. It’s one of the times where I would give everything to stand up and hug her properly, but I’m beginning to accept that instead of not being able to hug her at all, we just have to do it differently.

“I’m going to miss your face around here,” I sigh when she comes to stand in front of me. She takes my hands in hers and smiles down at me.

“I won’t be gone for long. A month, maybe two, depending on how things go along the way.”

“I know. I just want you back here safe. That’s all that matters, okay?”

“Okay.” She leans down and hugs me, holding on extra tight. “Take care of you.”

“A toast,” Denham calls and Tara kisses me on the cheek before jumping up and passing me a glass of champagne. “To Tara.”

“To Tara,” everyone cheers and raises their glasses.

“Can I say something?” I ask, and the table falls silent. I grin at the fact that everyone stares at me in disbelief. “I know this isn’t the first family dinner we’ve had since… well, since everything changed. But I feel like this is the first time we’ve had a family dinner that I actually feel like I’m here. I know that sounds weird and I’m hoping you’re all going to be able to read between the lines and hear what I’m saying, but …”

The door swings open, interrupting my speech and drawing everyone’s attention as it bangs and reaches full extension, nearly wrenching it off its hinges.

Arianna squeals, and Tara screams so loud my eardrums feel like they’re going to burst.

My heart jolts. An electric current passes through it and it feels like it has just started beating a rhythm that’s no longer foreign to me.

“Lottie!” Tara and Ari call as they run to the door and sweep her off her feet. I wish it could be me sweeping her off her feet. I’m reminded of yet another thing that I will never be able to do for her, but the happiness of having her in such close proximity after what feels like an eternity overrides the self-pity I’ve grown to accept as normal. She’s here. Not more than a second or two away from me. There’s no room for ‘what ifs’ or ‘I wish’. I’m learning that the only way things will happen for me and Lottie is if I make it happen.

The girls babble incoherently and Mom goes over to join them, giving Lottie a kiss on the cheek and joining in the group hug.

“Did you know she was coming back today?” Denham asks, placing his hand on my shoulder.

“No. Can’t say I’m sorry though,” I answer without taking my eyes off her. I don’t want to look away for fear that it’s not real and she’ll vanish before I get the chance to touch her. I think there was a part of me that believed she may never come back. I was terrified that she would fall in love with a rich, successful British guy and never look back. I couldn’t have blamed her if she did. Even though it would have broken my heart beyond repair.

Denham gives my shoulder a squeeze before walking over to the girls and breaking up the hug to get in there himself. He whispers in her ear and she glances over to me. I’m the only one that hasn’t moved yet. The only one on this side of the room. She drops her purse from her shoulder and meets my eyes. Everyone else falls silent, watching us. Waiting for what will happen next. Lottie walks forward slowly, not dropping her gaze. Her eyes twinkle. Her lips twitch. And when she’s just one step away from me, she stops. Her lips part and she takes a shaky breath.