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I offer her a smile of thanks when her eyes meet mine. “Want to talk about it?” she asks when she turns back to Brandon.

Brandon laughs bitterly. “I stood there like a complete idiot while this Ken doll introduced himself as her boyfriend.” He mimics a deep voice, “‘Hi, I’m Ethan. You must be Brandon. Tatum’s told me so much about you.’” His face crumples and he flops back on the couch with another groan, as he covers his face with his hands.

“Soooo . . .” Jace drawls. “Does this mean you’re finally admitting you have feelings for her?”

Brandon drops his hands with a sigh, then finally blurts, “Fine! I like her, okay?” He bolts upright with a scowl. “Are you happy now you smiley fuckers?”

“I mean, kind of,” Jace says with a shit-eating grin.

“How much did it cost you to admit that?” I ask, needing to get a jab in.

“Apparently, my dignity and self-respect,” Brandon mutters. “And what good did it do me? She’s gotEthannow.” He spits the name like it’s poison.

“So, what did you do?” West asks, suddenly interested in the drama unfolding.

“What do you think I did?” Brandon asks with a grimace. “After releasing him from the vise grip I had on his hand, I puffed my chest out, looked him in the eye, and told him I could take it from here. Then I grabbed her and dragged her toward the car.”

“Smooth.” Jace snorts.

“It wasn’t my finest moment,” Brandon mutters, draping his hands between his legs in defeat.

“So, what’s the plan now?” I ask, curious as to what his plan is.

“Fuck if I know.”

“You know what you need to cheer you up?” Chris chimes in. “A hot meal. Some comfort food.”

“I could eat.”

“Of course you could. What do you want? I’ll order it right now,” Chris says, sliding his phone from his pocket.

“Pizza?”

“Yes!” Chris pumps a fist in the air. “Winner!”

When Jace opens his mouth to protest, Chris points at Brandon. “Look at that long face. Do you really want to deny him?”

Jace rolls his eyes. “You suck.”

“This is the best day ever,” Chris says, almost to himself as he starts a mobile order, happily typing on his phone.

“Our friend is suffering, and it’s the best day ever?” Jace eyes him, likely bitter about the pizza.

“Um,yeah.” Chris glances up from his phone. “Because not only do I get to eat my favorite Italian delicacy, but I get to do what I do best. Again.”

“Act like a moron?” Jace smirks.

“No, asshole. Play matchmaker.” Chris sets his phone on the coffee table and rubs his hands together, blue eyes bright. “Don’t worry, Brando. I got you. The Love Doctor is here.”

All four of us groan.

I glance at Avery, who’s watching the group with a fond, amused smile, and suddenly it hits me—this is what home feels like. Messy, loud, unexpected . . . and exactly where we’re meant to be.