Page 151 of Take This Heart
“To food,” Dylan says, sniffing the air dramatically.
“To Grayson,” I grin at him, “for being the cutest one in the kitchen!”
Grayson laughs. “Cheers!” he yells, lifting his chocolate milk.
Camden exhales and grins. “Let’s open this place up.”
The restaurant is humming. Plates of roasted halibut and duck confit glide out of the kitchen. Every corner feels alive.
I’ve smiled until my face hurts. So many people from town have shown up to celebrate. Miss Idella and Emmy are still here, looking a little tipsy from their mulled wine. Bosco even showed up and is telling everyone at the bar about Francine. Friends from the Twin Cities even made the drive. Milo’s parents are here, and his maternal grandma, and his paternal grandparents.
I’m kissed on both cheeks by both his grandmas.
“You are prettier than I could’ve imagined,” Nana says.
“Absolutely stunning,” his other grandma says.
“I’m thrilled to finally meet you both. Now I see where Milo and his parents got their beauty.”
They both flush and hug me again.
I’m standing at the host stand with Milo when the door swings open, a wave of cool evening air rushing in, and a group comes in that turns every head.
I blink once. Twice.
“No way,” I gasp.
Camden’s just stepped out of the kitchen and he freezes. Then his mouth splits into a grin almost as big as mine.
“Addy? Penn?” I’m already moving toward them, arms open.
Addy barrels into me first and Penn goes for Camden.
“You didn’t think we’d miss this, did you?” She holds out her hand to Milo. “Hello, Mr. Lombardi. I’m so happy to finally meet you in person.”
“I’m happy to meet you too,” he says, his smile warm.
Addy moves to hug Camden. “Look at you. Creating another gem.”
Penn comes over to hug me and then introduces himself to Milo.
“Yep, he’s a stud,” Penn tells me.
Milo and I laugh.
“Yes, he is,” I agree.
Rhodes and Elle walk in hand-in-hand, Weston and Sadie not far behind, followed by Henley and Tru, and then—Bowie and Poppy. My jaw actually drops.
“They all came,” I whisper to Milo. “From Silver Hills.”
Milo leans close, murmuring, “I didn’t know Camden rolled with the entire Colorado Mustangsteam.”
“This group of players worshipped his kitchen in Denver.” I grin.
Camden’s laughing now, trying to keep it together as each one pulls him into a hug. I’m beside myself, seeing my brother so happy.
“Did you know they were coming?” Camden asks me, wide-eyed.
