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It was time to get his priorities straight for the first time in his adult life.

“Are you going to stay here tonight, Annie?” Elizabeth asked.

“I think I will,” she said. “I brought over what I need for tonight and tomorrow.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Duncan said. “I like having my family under one roof on such an important day.”

Cole waited for one of them to mention why the day was so important, but neither Duncan nor Annie did. He didn’t know how much Elizabeth knew, but Benji seemed rather clueless about what was going on.

And then there was Julian. How was he going to feel about the news that his missing sister had been found? Duncan hadprobably been right to not give the man that information while he was drunk.

They didn’t linger long once the ball had dropped, then Annie and Benji walked upstairs with Cole. Benji bade them goodnight before heading the opposite way down the hallway.

“I’m so glad you were able to come,” Annie said.

“Me too.” Cole tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Do you think you’ll be okay to hang out with my family tomorrow? If you’re not, that’s perfectly fine.”

“I still want to go,” Annie said. “There’s nothing to be gained by just sitting around here. I’d rather go skating with you, and I know Benji is looking forward to spending time with Amelia.”

“Julian is welcome to join us as well,” Cole said.

Annie’s brows lifted. “Do you really want him there? I’m not sure what sort of condition he’ll be in after how drunk he got tonight.”

“I’m just saying it’s an option. If you feel like he could use some time out of the house, he’d be more than welcome.”

Annie nodded. “I’ll see how he behaves in the morning.”

“I hate to end this evening, but I’m beat.”

“So am I, even though I didn’t play a game of basketball today like you did.”

Cole smiled as he drew her close for a hug. “I love you, Annie, and I can’t wait to see what this next year holds for us.”

“Neither can I,” Annie said. She placed her hands on his shoulders. “And I love you too. So very much.”

They shared one last kiss before calling it a night, and Cole went into his luxurious bedroom filled with hope for his future with Annie.

They’d already weathered some ups and downs, proving that they were both committed to establishing a solid foundation as they worked toward a meaningful and lasting relationship.

He couldn’t ask for more than that.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

It took a moment for Annie to orientate herself the next morning when she woke up. She rarely spent nights in the mansion when her home was so close.

But Cole was there. They’d celebrated their first New Year’s Eve as a couple.

A smile curved her lips as she snuggled into the warmth of the bed. He was such an amazing man. She didn’t know what she’d done to deserve him, but she wouldn’t take for granted the gift he’d been to her.

But even as she lay there, the rest of the evening’s events filtered into her mind.

Her sister… they’d found Angelica.

How had she forgotten?

The smile slowly faded from her face and a knot formed in her stomach. She wanted to be excited about the prospect of her sister coming home.

But there was no denying she had some concerns. She’d lived her entire life as Duncan Burke’s only daughter, the primary focus of his protective nature. Benji had shared it to some extent, but he’d always had fewer restrictions placed on him.

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