Page 22 of Take This Heart
I stick close to my family. I was certain that Camden and Dylan wouldn’t be able to make it. We’re all floundering, trying to figure out how to get to Windy Harbor as soon as we can, and this night is not on the list of priorities. But they’re here with Noah, Grayson, Tully, my dad, Grandma Nancy, and Grandma Donna. I’m so overwhelmed, I burst into tears.
“I can’t believe you’re all here,” I say, hugging each one of them.
“You think we’d miss this?” Camden asks, coming in for another hug.
“We’re so proud of you, buttercup,” Dad says.
I try to balance a flute of sparkling rosé in one hand and the tangle of emotions in the other when I hear it.
A whistle. Loud. Familiar. Followed by: “Ohhh,hell yes. Look at this moody masterpiece! Goldie Whitman, you little legend.”
I whirl around.
“ERIN?!”
She barrels toward me in her signature black combat boots, cuffed jeans, and a blazer over a T-shirt that saysQueer and Cozy.Her wing-tipped eyeliner and red lipstick are perfect, as always. Her arms open like she’s about to tackle me. I set my glass down and fling myself into her. There’s a small gasp from a woman behind us—I might have almost taken out a pedestal—but I don’t care. Erin is here.
“You’re really here,” I breathe, clinging to her like a life raft.
“Of course I’m here,” she says, her voice thick. “You think I’d miss your big artsy debut? Please. I cleared mywhole calendar. Even rescheduled a shipment of tourist hoodies. That’s love, babe.”
I laugh, even as my throat tightens with emotion. I haven’t seen her in months. Too many phone calls and not enough hugs.
“You look incredible,” she says.
“Youdo,” I say, pulling back. I grin and wipe at the corners of my eyes.
Her expression softens. “Hey. I’m really sorry, Golds. About your dad. He came to the trading post and told me and my parents. I know you’re trying to handle everything like the stoic, Midwestern martyr you are, but knock it the hell off.”
I make a face.
She squeezes my hand. “Whatever you need. I mean it. I’m so damn glad you’re gonna be in Windy Harbor more. That place needs you.Ineed you. Even if it means you’ll put me to shame in Thursday night trivia.”
“You should be worried. My reign is far from over.”
Erin is still laughing at me when we hear a voice.
“Oh my gosh. Am I late?”
I freeze.
No way.
I turn and see her, weaving through the crowd with the biggest smile on her face.
“ADDY?!” I burst into tears again, covering my mouth as she rushes toward me.
“Hey, my girl,” she says, throwing her arms around me.
“I can’t believe you came all the way from Silver Hills! How are Penn and the kids?”
“You think I’d miss this? Penn and the kids are great. They send their love.”
I’m shaking. Laughing. Crying. “I can’t believe you’re both here.”
Addy pulls back slightly, still holding my arms. “This is much more fun than when we hung out while she was recovering,” she tells Erin.
They hug like long-lost cousins, and I blink at them.
