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Emboldened by Anna’s easy demeanor, I launch into the tale. “Well, it all started when Gerard lost his hockey stick on the morning ofthe first game…”

As I recount our meet-cute in the library, Gavin and Anna listen with rapt attention. They “ooh” and “aww” at all the right places and laugh heartily when I describe how much of a shit I was to him.

When I get to the part where Gerard and I kissed at the Hockey House Halloween party, Gerard’s face is beet red, clashing horribly with his blond hair. But I see the small, pleased smile as he relives the memories through my words.

“And the rest, as they say, is history,” I finish with a theatrical flourish. “Your son swept me off my feet, and I’ve been smitten ever since.”

“Oh my goodness, that is the most precious story!” Anna gushes, pressing a hand to her heart. “To think our Gerard is such a romantic. He gets that from Gavin, you know.”

Gavin puffs out his chest proudly. “What can I say? Us Gunnarson men know how to woo our partners. It’s in our genes.”

Gerard groans and covers his face with his hands. “You guys aresoembarrassing. This is why I didn’t want to tell you.”

But his demeanor belies his words. He’s happy that his parents approve of me and we’re getting along.

Two down, only one more to go.

Gerard’s faceinstantly softens at the sight of his little sister running up to him after the cheerleading competition. She was amazing—the whole team was, really. They placed second, and it took me promising to give Gerard another mind-blowing orgasm to keep him from giving the judges hell for their asinine decision.

Judging by the reddened cheeks on Gavin’s face and the knowing smirk on Anna’s, I dare say she promised him the same thing. And I willnevertell Gerard.

Lily leaps into Gerard’s outstretched arms. It’s a scene straight out of a movie, the doting big brother and his adoring little sister meeting again after a long time apart, and it makes me smile.

“Hey there, Squirt. You are thebestcheerleader in the entire country. You need to teach me how to do that one backflip later.”

Lily giggles, and her nose scrunches up, making her appear even younger than her ten years. “You’re too big to do that move, Gerard.”

Gerard gasps dramatically. “Are you calling me fat, Squirt?”

“Hey, you said it, not me.”

Laughing, Gerard presses a kiss to the top of her head. “I love you too, Squirt.”

He sets her down on the ground, and Lily immediately zeroes in on me. Her blue eyes, so similar to Gerard’s, narrow in suspicion as she takes me in from head to toe. “Who are you, and why are you standing that close to my brother?”

I glance at Gerard, unsure how to respond. We haven’t exactly discussed how to tell his sister about us.

“Lily, this is Elliot. He’s my…special friend.”

Lily’s mouth forms a perfect “O.” “Special friend? What does that mean? Are you like his bestest friend in the whole world?”

I chuckle at her innocence. If only she knew how “special” my friendship with her brother truly is. I crouch down to be at her eye level. “Lily, your brother and I are very close. We care about each other a lot and enjoy spending time together. But it’s different than just being best friends.”

She cocks her head to the side. “Different how? Do you have secret handshakes and stuff?”

I look up at Gerard for guidance, but all he does is shrug.Gee, thanks for the help, dude.“Um, not exactly. Gerard and I have feelings for each other. Romantic feelings. Like the kind your mom and dad have for each other.”

Lily’s eyes light up with understanding. “Oh! So you’re his boyfriend!”

Leave it to a ten-year-old to cut right to the chase.“Yeah. Is that okay with you?”

Lily purses her lips, mulling it over. I hold my breath, nervous about her reaction. I know how much Gerard adores his little sister; her opinion means the world to him. If she doesn’t approve of me, of us? I don’t even want to think about it.

Thankfully, her face breaks into a wide grin, and she throws her arms around my neck. “Of course it’s okay! If Gerard likes you, then I like you too. But…” She fixes me with a glare eerily reminiscent of a stern woman. “You better be nice to my brother, okay? He’s the bestest brother ever, and I never want to see him sad. So, you have to pinky promise to be good to him and never make him sad.”

She holds out her tiny pinky, her face deadly serious. I love her fierce protectiveness over Gerard, and I’m honored that she’s willing to entrust me with her brother’s heart. I link my pinky with hers, giving it a solemn shake. “I pinky swear, Lily. I promise to be good to Gerard and do my best to make him happy. You have my word.”

Satisfied with my promise, she glances up at Gerard. He’s watching our exchange with a fond expression, but it quickly morphs into surprise when Lily marches over to him, wagging her finger.