Page 107 of The Geography of Happiness

I rented a small flat in Wellington and for the first semester, Hannah stayed with me while Spencer came and went as he was able. Amber became a regular fixture in our lives, learning about Hannah’s needs and capabilities as they forged a new relationship. There were tears and misunderstandings along the way, but Amber and I weren’t teenagers anymore and we got through it, becoming friendly, if not exactly friends.

It was a win for everyone.

When Hannah’s rehab started to reap benefits toward the middle of the first semester, she moved into the Nolan dormitory along with Gabby, and I handed over the role of primary backup to Amber while I supervised from thewings, waiting for it all to go to shit while Spencer did his best to distract me.

It didn’t go to shit. Not even a little bit. Go figure.

The Academy was delighted with their new student and Hannah blossomed before our eyes. She was where she needed to be. The plan was that I would visit regularly while she was in school, and in vacation time she would come to me... tousin Oakwood. Spencer had even gifted a budget for Hannah to set up her chosen bedroom exactly how she wanted it.

And finally, we were there... along with a posse.

Because, of course, we had zero chance of being able to leave Painted Bay quietly or with any grace. Oh no. That would’ve been way too easy.

Instead, we’d been shadowed every step of the way by a bunch of nosy friends wanting to eyeball the place, not tomentionthe men living there, all so they could stamp their seal of approval, for fuck’s sake. The same friends who were right then holed up in the cottages at Miller Station and fraternising with the locals—namely ourothergroup of friends—the ramifications of which didn’t bear thinking about. The shenanigans that went down at the huge cookout at Miller Station the night before only served to prove my point.

Liam and Leroy—one of the stranger meetings of minds—had hit it off from the start, spending hours around the firepit debating rock bands and plotting the demise of the known universe. Holden, Jules, Fox, Morgan, and Zach bonded over a discussion on the business vagaries of fisheries and sheeperies—as Leroy liked to call the stations just to take the piss. Judah, Gil, Kane, and Abe bemoaned the state of the New Zealand dance scene, argued the best clubs in London and New York, and discussed the contextual and psychological history of tango.

I was still recovering.

Best thing about the whole evening had been watching everyone ooh and aah over the newest addition to Miller Station—the beautiful wee Kirby Alice Nichols-Lane, a two-month-old bundle of gorgeousness who was passed around the huge circle of eager arms like she was the best present ever.

Zach and Luke looked like every other new parent, exhausted and barely able to keep their eyes open, while Gil and Holden were clearly smitten in their roles of doting godparents. I’d watched closely as Gil cradled Kirby to his chest and whispered soft nonsense as she slept in his arms. His eyes glistened with tears and so much love that my heart almost couldn’t take it.

So, when he and Holden announced their own surrogacy plans over dinner, I wasn’t surprised, although everyone else clearly was. That included Zach and Luke who whooped with delight and ripped out of their chairs to embrace the other couple amidst many tears. There were going to be some greatstories told to those lucky kids about their parents sometime in the future, and I hoped I’d be around to witness them.

Spencer spooned me from behind, his arm snaking around my waist. I smiled and pushed back into all that bare hot skin. His hold tightened, like he wanted to make sure I wasn’t going anywhere. He needn’t have worried. I was done being anywhere except with him.

The geography didn’t matter as long as we had each other—a lesson that had been a long time coming. Along with the reminder that I also had a right to a life and that my happiness counted as much as Hannah’s. Now we had a chance for both.

“It’s too early.” Spencer’s warm breath brushed the nape of my neck, sending goosebumps popping down my spine. “Go back to sleep.”

“I can’t.” I rolled in his arms and kissed him on the nose. “Besides, it’s after eight.”

His eyes remained closed. “Like I said, too early.”

“We’re supposed to be there by ten.” I poked a finger into his chest. “We need to get moving.”

“Mmm. I’ll get right on that.” He snuggled further under the blankets, making me chuckle.

I peeled one of his eyelids open with my fingers. “You do realise Gil will be cooking everyone breakfast in the homestead by now. Aren’t you worried what they’re talking about? Just the idea of it terrifies me. We should’ve stayed the night like I said.”

Spencer groaned in protest. “And do what exactly? Supervise?”

I patted his cheek. “Precisely.”

He snort-choked. “Our friends don’t need supervision.”

“Maybeyoursdon’t,” I huffed. “Mine are a different story.”

Spencer opened one eye. “You have a point.” Then he kissed me on the nose. “Don’t worry, they’ll be fine. Gil’s in charge. But... since we’re both awake—” He snuggled closer. “—Ihave an idea how to fill our time rather than talking about our friends.” He yanked our groins flush to emphasise his intent, and to be fair, he made an excellent point.

I pressed my mouth to his and he held me in place with a hand around my neck, his tongue sliding between my lips to sweep through my mouth. I loved the way Spencer kissed in the morning, slow and considered, like he had all the time in the world. It was the best part of my day.

“Gotta love morning breath,” he murmured, ending the kiss with a lick up the side of my face.

“Speak for yourself.” I licked him back. “At least I diluted mine with a cup of tea.”

“Ew.” He shuddered. “Even worse.”

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