She grins unapologetically. “I like getting my way. Doesn’t happen nearly enough these days.”
The hugging continues until Sloane says her goodbyes and walks toward her brother. As much as Jeremy Winslow comes across like a total ass, the arm he places around his sister’s shoulders as they leave is remarkably gentle.
“I think there’s a rule that billionaires have to be socially awkward and eccentric,” Avah says as we watch them leave. “He’s just doing what tech geniuses do.”
“She’s going to be okay, right?” I ask no one in particular.
Iris takes my hand. “You bet your ass she is. We’ve got her home, and this time she’s staying. But tonight is about you, Tay. You’re an inspiration.”
“We reserved a table at The Lark,” Sadie says.
“That’s too fancy,” I protest. “We can just get margaritas and?—”
“We’re five-star celebrating,” Avah says.
“Because you’re a star,” Molly finishes.
My heart warms, even as part of me—the part used to playing small—wants to deny it. But I did the thing. “I did the thing!” I shout, excitement making me feel as light as champagne bubbles.
“And what are you going to do about the other thing?” Avah asks with a knowing wink, peering over my shoulder.
I turn and see my family, Eric, and Rhett approaching. “Let’s discuss that at dinner,” I answer quietly.
“We’ll head over. Take your time,” Molly tells me with another hug. “I told my mother-in-law I was going to be out late, so I plan to do exactly that.”
Avah leans in so only I can hear her. “For the record, I’d pick a Hemsworth brother over a Hugh Grant also-ran any day.”
I bite my lip to keep from laughing and whisper, “Me too.”
She pumps her fist triumphantly and then joins the other women heading for the exit.
“Tinky Wink, get in here!” Toby grabs me in a bear hug and twirls me around. “No puke or piss. Well done, sis.”
I roll my eyes but grin at him. “Nice rhyming.”
“Put her down before you break your back,” my dad snarls good-naturedly.
“Dad, come on.” Elise smacks him on the arm as she and my nieces surround me. “You were fantastic.”
There are hugs and congratulations, and I’m grinning ear to ear. So this is what it feels like to be the center of attention in my boisterous family. It’s a lot, but I’ll take it for the night.
“You did good, Tink,” my dad says in his gruff voice as he gives me an awkward squeeze.
“Thanks, Dad.” I blink away tears because I can’t remember the last time my father complimented me. Maybe that has more to do with me not sharing enough of my life for him to know when to offer one.
I feel heat rise to my cheeks and hope Toby and Elise will think it’s my reaction to Dad, not the intensity of Eric’s gaze on me.
“Hey,” I say, looking into his eyes for a moment, unable to interpret the emotions swirling in their dark depths, before switching my gaze to Rhett. “On a scale of one to fork-in-the-eye, how boring was it?”
“Straw shoved up my nose,” he answers without missing a beat.
I laugh and hug him. “Thank you for the pixie dust. And thank you guys for the flowers,” I add, turning to my family. Elise’s girls have wandered off to greet some friends nearby.
My big sister takes my hand. “Mom would have loved this.”
“Pixie dust?” Toby frowns, looking between Eric and me. “Isthat some secret theater rite of passage I don’t know about?” He swats Eric on the arm. “How do you know it?”
“Inside joke,” Eric answers smoothly.