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“Brayden James Mackenzie.”

The announcer’s voice was followed by the loudest applause of the day. Ellie beamed with pride as Brayden walked across the stage, received his diploma, and offered a thumbs-up to their parents, who, Ellie knew without looking, were sobbing.

And, if she was truthful with herself, Ellie was about to be, too.

“Eleanor Kate Mackenzie.”

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Ellie walked across the stage with her head held high and a smile on her lips. She shook the principal’s hand and took her diploma as she walked to the other side of the stage. Her parents were easy to spot in the crowd, and Ellie smiled at them. Vera put her hands above her head in a heart symbol as Ellie paused to do the same back.

Ellie knew how lucky she was to have parents like her. Parents who loved her and her siblings so fiercely and without conditions. She wanted nothing more than to run to them and hug them, but that would have to wait. All her emotions were about to bubble over, so she quickly hurried off the stage and back to her seat by Brayden.

“We didn’t fall.” He fist-bumped her as they laughed. Ellie put her arm around his as she leaned onto his shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Ellie.”

“I’m proud of you, too, Brayden.”

A few rows ahead of them, Sadie turned around and waved. Ellie did the same back, smiling at Sadie. Brayden playfully jabbed her in the ribs with his elbow.

“You two dating yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Word of advice from your favorite bro?”

“You’re myonlybrother, but go on.”

“Just ask her out.”

Ellie snorted a laugh. “That’sthe best advice you have?”

“I mean, I could give you some long philosophical speech on why you shouldn’t let an opportunity pass you by, but really, it doesn’t matter. You just need to ask her out already. You bothclearlylike each other.”

“Shut up.”

Ellie crossed her arms over her chest as she tried not to smile. Her silly brother knew she and Sadie liked each other. That’s how obvious things were between them. She knew that eventually, she and Sadie would have to have that conversation. ThatI like you, and you like me, so do you want to dateconversationthat Ellie had never had with anyone before?

She knew she could talk to her parents or even her sisters about it. Well, maybe not Blake. They weren’t quite there yet with their relationship, and Everleigh was too young for the conversation. Mason would give her more advice than Ellie would ever ask for. That much had been determined when Ellie first asked her about how to kiss someone when a role in a musical required it.

And her moms? Ellie knew they’d pepper her with a hundred questions and give her the safe sex talk. Because no child of Vera Mackenzie was safe from that talk. In fact, Ellie had already been given it once already. But she knew an encore would happen.

Ugh. Maybe I’ll ask Eden.

Her aunt was more like a big sister than anything to Ellie. Eden was in theater on Broadway, which immediately made her Ellie’s idol. Ellie also felt comfortable talking with Eden about anything.

Yeah, maybe I’ll talk to her at the Cape.

As the ceremony ended, Brayden and Ellie made their way over to their family where their parents immediately engulfed them in hugs and kisses. Ellie savored the moment, knowing how special it would always mean to them.

“I love you both so much.” Isla kissed them both before Vera did the same.

“I’m so proud of you, babies.”

The hugs and tears lasted a few minutes longer before Molly gathered them all together for one more family picture before they headed off to the bar.

Her mom had closed the bar down for their graduation party, and Ellie couldn’t wait to see it. Emily Crawford and Hayden Jaymes had been put in charge of decorating it. There were banners, balloons, and pictures all over the bar, which made Ellie insanely happy. She hugged her mom, who held her tightly.

“Thanks, Mom. I love it.”

“You’re welcome, Ellie.” Isla kissed the top of her head. “I love you so much, Care Bear.”