“That’s what we are, Grace. And you’re part of it now. I know we’re crazy and we’re far from typical, but you’re stuck with us, sweets. Forever.” He raises his glass and waits for everyone to catch up with his toast. I raise mine too, as I stare into his blue eyes. “I love you, Mrs. Asher.”

Everyone cheers and clinks glasses at that and I raise my glass to my husband and mouth, “Thank you.”

The blessing is said and then the servers enter with plates of covered food. Conversation begins and we all settle in for the feast. Sam and Felicity chat with me. Vaughn is attentive and happy. Various aunts and uncles and cousins pepper me with tidbits of information about one another, trying for embarrassment.

And it all hits home.

I have a new family.

I will never forget my real parents or my brother. I will always be grateful and love the Chamberses for taking me in when I needed them most.

But it’s time to start my own family. And this is where it begins.

Chapter Fifteen

#ImInDenialAndIDontCare

“SO, Felicity,” I ask, once we are all settled in with dinner. “How’s school? I never see you anymore.”

“Oh, Felicity,” Grace says, putting a tentative hand on her shoulder. “You should just come home. I hate that you’re not there.”

Felicity gives her a tight smile, then looks at… Conner.

I look at Conner and catch him in a shrug.

What the fuck?

I’m about to open my mouth when Felicity beats me to it. “I’m good, ya know? Living here in the pool house. Working for Conner.”

“Wait, what? How did I not know you’re working for Conner?”

“Don’t be silly, V,” she laughs. “You know I’m working with Conner. We did Grace’s case together.”

“Yeah, but that was months ago.”

“She’s a good worker, V,” Conner says as he stuffs his face with turkey. “I loooove”—and he drags that word out for an unnecessarily long time—“having her around.” And then that asshole actually clicks his tongue and winks at her. At my Felicity!

I look over at her and… “Oh my God. Are you blushing, Felicity?”

She giggles nervously as she plays with her mashed potatoes. “No.”

Grace kicks me under the table, but when I look down, I can see Conner’s foot touching Felicity’s leg.

I turn my head to glare and he grins across the table at my daughter.

“That is so wrong. Conner, I fucking warned you,” I seethe into his ear to avoid a scene. “I asked you specifically if you were—”

“We’re not,” he says back, still keeping his voice low.

I breathe a sigh of relief.

“But we’re considering it.”

I drop my fork on my plate with a clang. “You are not. She’s your niece.”

Conner snorts. “She’s not my niece, you perv. She’s not even related by marriage.”

“Um,” Felicity says from across the table. “I’m right here.”

“Well,” Tray says next to me, “I think they are perfect together.”

“How the hell would you know?” I turn to ask him.

“We double-date all the time.”

“What? Since when? You’re not even part of this family.”

“Vaughn.” Sam’s foot finds my shin under the table as well. “Knock it off, you ass. He’s still my husband. Felicity and Conner have been dating for weeks. We go out every weekend. You’re the only one who doesn’t know.”

I look around and everyone is nodding. “I’m stunned. I’m at a loss for words. I’m—”

“In denial,” Grace says with a smug smile.

Everyone laughs and then they go back to eating.

“I’m glad you all think this is acceptable.”

“V, I’m almost twenty-one—”

“And he’s twenty-seven, Felicity!” Dear God, I might have to strangle my brother at Thanksgiving dinner.

“We’re just hanging out, anyway. No big deal.”

“No big—”

“Hey,” Samantha says loudly. “I’ve been hearing lots of rumors about the Black Bash this year. What’s going on there? Do you know?”

Fucking hell. I can’t get a break. “Don’t believe everything you hear.” I look over at Grace and she’s way too attentive.

“What’s the Black Bash?” she asks before I can think of some lifesaving interjection.

“Oh, you don’t want to know,” Sam laughs. “It’s a horrible tradition. Every Black Friday the tabloids throw a masquerade party. Everyone dresses in the theme and wears a mask so no one knows who shows up for this repulsive invasion of privacy.”

“What do they do?” my sweet princess asks with horror.

“It’s nothing, Grace.” I shoot Sam a glare that says shut the fuck up. But then Conner is talking on the other side of me.

“I hear they’ve got Sam’s video in one room.”

“I don’t care,” Sam says bravely. “Tray and I have talked about it. We’re making another video this Christmas Eve. To finish what we started last year. Let them show it to whoever they want. My secret is out and I’ve come to accept my condition for what it is. A challenge to be overcome, not a disability to be afraid of. They have no power over me now.”

I love my sister.

“Were you invited, Vaughn?” Felicity asks.

I shake my head no. “I would never go see that filth. Even in disguise.”

I look over at Grace, but her gaze is difficult to read. I take that as disinterest and quickly move the conversation into neutral territory so everyone will drop the talk of the Black Bash. But my mind is not at ease. That party is tomorrow night. And I’ve already been warned several times that there’s something big brewing.

I swallow down the guilt for my actions all those years ago and put on my stage smile.

I’m an actor. It’s what I do.

So I act happy.

We finish dinner and take dessert outside in the children’s tent so we can watch the annual family talent show. Grace sits in my lap, her head on my chest as countless nieces and nephews play instruments, sing songs, act out parts of their favorite TV shows, and generally act silly.