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“Was it all right?” he asks, quieter now. “I didn't go too far, did I? I wanted to. I wanted to tear that arsehole apart for everyone to see.”

I shake my head. “It was perfect.” And because I can’t help myself, I say, “But did you have to use the phrasethe beat of my heart? The internet is insufferable.”

He grins, unrepentant. “I believe in accuracy in reporting. Well, when it benefits me, that is.”

Then he kisses me again, brief but thorough, and someone—probably Kenna—whistles appreciatively.

Tinsley appears with two fresh bottles of champagne, and we follow her into the kitchen, where Stone proceeds to pop the cork with a loudpop. Loomis pours himself a glass of gin and Bennett, Owen, Estlin, and Stone some bourbon. The other guys hit tequila, and us remaining females pour full glasses of champagne.

We don’t toast, and I’m grateful for it. While everything seems perfect and settled, it’s not. Not fully. And to put this in Mason Reyes terms, I don’t believe in spiking the ball too soon. Right now, the tide is in our favor, but who knows what tomorrow will bring? The food arrives, and we all stand around, filling our plates.

“I still can’t believe he thought he could get away with it,” Kenna muses, shaking her head. “Messing with a Fritz in our town? Boy was stupid.”

“I think messing with a Powell this time was worse. And maybe a Moore.” I wink at Vander. “I didn’t exactly do much. I still haven’t.”

“There’s not much for you to do,” Katy acknowledges. “I mean, you’re still off work with your wrist, and you said your publisher is excited. What else is there to do?”

“Apologize to Grandma,” I state flatly.

“She’s fine.” Sorel waves that away. “I ran out on my wedding, married Mason on a drunken revenge whim, and then found out I was pregnant, and she hardly batted an eye.”

“Yeah, I think you might win with that scandal,” I quip.

“That’s because you’re the good girl of the group,” Tinsley teases. “Your first scandal. How cute.”

Everyone starts laughing, and my face turns seven thousand shades of red. “I hate you,” I state.

Tinsley shrugs, unperturbed.

Katy passes me a plate and leans in so she can whisper in my ear. “Eat something. You’re going to need your strength if the way Loomis is looking at you is any indication.”

She’s right. His eyes have that particular intensity that makes my skin feel tight.

We continue to devour the impressive spread of sushi, charcuterie, tacos, pizza, and sliders. Conversation flows easily, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the occasional teasing remark. These are my people, but now they’re Loomis’s too. I’m not sure he had anyone, not really anyway, other than Tinsley before now.

Having them all here, eternally having our back no matter what, fills me with a warmth that has nothing to do with the champagne I’m drinking.

“So what now?” Wren asks, twirling pasta around her fork. “Now that you’re officially out as a romance author, what’s your plan?”

I glance over at Loomis and then back at her. A jolt of nerves hit me with what I’m about to say, but there’s excitement too. “I’m going to finish my residency, but I don’t think I’ll take on a full-time hospital job. I think I’ll just float and do per diem for a while and mostly focus on writing.”

Katy’s face lights up. “As much as I love seeing you in the hospital, that makes me so happy.”

“I think that’s the right choice.” Kenna is beaming at me. “I’m seriously proud of you, Keegs. It’s not a leap you would have taken before.”

She’s right. It’s not. So much has changed in the last few weeks my head is spinning with it, but I don’t mind this sort of dizziness. Not anymore. What felt out of control and daunting now just feels like a natural progression leading me to the next steps and down the right path.

“What about you, Powell?” Owen asks. “Please tell me you’re not stealing my cousin off to LA.”

Loomis glances at me, a gleam in his eyes. “Actually,” he says, “my plan is to stay here in Boston as much as I can.”

This catches everyone’s attention.

“Where?” Jack questions.

“Here, actually.” Loomis’s eyes meet mine before he turns to Tinsley with a smirk. “In this building, as it happens.”

Everyone turns to Tinsley, who just shrugs. “What? Mrs. Sherman on the eighth floor moved out, and her son was getting it ready to put on the market. It’s a no-brainer.”