Page 99 of Rejected Heart

I let out a sigh and nodded. “I think I’m ready now.”

He smiled at me and gave me a kiss on the lips. “Good. Because I’m starved, and I’m willing to bet the food is ready.”

Liam released his hold on me, took me by the hand, and led me back to the party with him. I couldn’t say I wasn’t nervous, but I felt better than I had been mere minutes ago.

The closer we got, the more members of the Westwood family noticed we were making our approach. The conversation died down to the point nobody was speaking by the time Liam brought us to a halt.

My eyes moved through the crowd. I recognized mostly everybody, and what I saw in the faces of the people who’d once been like a second family to me was hope. I wasn’t quite sure anyone was breathing as their eyes darted between Liam, me, and our connected hands.

Malcolm was the first to break the silence. “Is everything okay?”

Liam looked down at me, his eyes bright and a smile on his face. Then he turned his attention to his dad. “Yeah, everything’s great, Dad. Layla’s going to be staying for the rest of Rosie’s party.”

There was a collective sigh of relief, more smiles than I could count, and Evelyn Westwood rushing toward me. I barely had the chance to register what was happening by the time she threw her arms around me. “Oh, it’s so good to see you, Layla. We’ve missed you.”

Liam let go of my hand so I could hug his mom. “I’ve missed you, too. And I’m sorry.”

Her body froze, and she stepped back. Placing her hands on the outer caps of my shoulders, she asked, “Sorry for what?”

She was such a gracious woman. I tipped my head to the side and offered an apologetic smile, noting how most of the family had moved in our direction. “I’m sorry for leaving the way I did. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I know I hurt a lot of people. I never meant to hurt anyone like I did, and I want you to know how sorry I am for it.”

Evelyn offered a sympathetic look in return. Surprisingly, it was Tate who spoke up. “Layla, I think you and Liam need to each grab a plate of food before you sit down. We’ve got years of mistakes that we’ve all made to fill you in on. I’ll go first, if you want.”

“Yeah, Tate probably should kick things off. His mistakes were far worse than mine,” Wyatt teased, a twinkle in his eyes.

“Oh, shut up, Wyatt,” Tate fired back. “I’m sure Rhea has plenty of stories to share of your shortcomings.”

Laughter filled the air as someone pushed their way to the front of the crowd. Ivy came toward me. “Are you here to stay?”

My brows pulled together. “For the party?”

“For good.”

My eyes darted to Liam’s again. His danced, just like they used to all those years ago. And that smile of his that made my heart beat just a little bit faster was on full display.

Returning my attention to Ivy, I recalled just how fierce of a woman she was. In so many ways, she was the complete opposite of me, especially back then. It seemed that hadn’t changed, and I was glad she had approached me the way she had. No doubt she was looking out for Liam’s well-being.

Wanting to ease those fears for her, I spoke softly. “I intend to stay as long as Liam wants me around.”

Her lips curved into a slow smile before she pulled me in for a hug. “It’s so good to have you back, Layla. We’ve missed you so much.”

Tears filled my eyes.

Just like that, this family had accepted me back. It only proved Cooper hadn’t been exaggerating when he said this was where everyone had wanted me to be all along.

I squeezed Ivy back. “I’ve missed you, too.”

When she stepped back, she reached her hand out tothe side and said, “I think you might remember my husband, Marco.”

My eyes widened in shock. “What?”

Ivy beamed at me. “Marco and I got married. It’ll be a year this New Year’s Eve.”

I couldn’t believe it. Marco had been like an honorary member of the Westwood family for so long. He was Cooper’s best friend way back in the day, but he’d had that brotherly relationship with all the Westwood boys, Liam included.

“Congratulations.” I hugged her again. When I let go of her, I moved to do the same with Marco. “I’m so happy for the both of you. How wonderful that you two wound up together.”

“Thanks, Layla,” Marco returned.

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