Page 40 of An Unexpected Everything

“And I’m still the old man,” Aston said as he came over and wrapped a single arm around my shoulder. It was odd because he had never done it before, but maybe Blakely was wearing on him. Or from the worried look in his eyes, it had everything to do with why I was here in the first place. “You doing okay?”

I shrugged and gestured toward the half-done dinner. “I’m fine. I could use some help in here.”

“Oh my God, I cannot believe you just used those words,” Blakely said, hand on her chest. “You just asked for help. Maybe Cage Lake does work miracles.”

“If we’re going to be all happy and chipper in here, I’m going to need a drink,” Hudson said as he stomped into the butler’s pantry where Aspen had it set up as a bar.

“I counted everybody and realized we had three from one side, and only me from the other.”

“I know Sophia’s coming, and Tyler’s in town, or at least in the state. So hopefully they get here soon so you can get the legal part out of the way.”

“From your mouth to the lawyer’s ears,” Dorian said as he handed me a glass of wine.

“You like Brut, right? Dry?”

I grinned. “I do. Sparkling’s my favorite.”

“Which always surprised me because I was the one who bounced around like I was on bubbles,” Blakely said with a laugh.

The doorbell rang, and Aston frowned.

“I told every single sibling that they can just walk in tonight.”

I shook my head. “If it’s Sophia or even Kyler, they’re not going to do that. We don’t just walk into each other’s houses.”

“You walked into mine before,” Blakley added.

I snorted. “Because you were trapped in your closet, and then that one time in that jacket.”

“You promised you were never going to talk about that,” she said quickly.

Aston gave us a curious look. “I’m going to need all the details. But let me get the door.”

“I’ve got it,” Hudson growled as he prowled toward the front of the house.

“I know Hudson has humor and smiles, but is he okay?” I asked softly.

Dorian shrugged. “Not sure. I’m going to come back and visit in a couple of weeks to annoy him. Plus I have a few business opportunities I need to deal with.”

“Should I be worried about those business opportunities?” Aston asked dryly.

“Yes. I’ve decided to work with the mob. The Cages need to be their own Family.”

Dorian twirled his invisible mustache, and I rolled my eyes as Kyler, Sophia, and Cale walked into the large open space kitchen.

I dropped what I was doing and ran over to Sophia, hugging her tightly. “I’ve missed you.”

“And I suppose you’ve missed me too?” Kyler asked with a roll of his eyes.

“She didn’t even move for us,” Blakley said, shaking her head.

“I’m just her favorite.” Sophia fluttered her eyelashes, before squeezing my hand and lifting them up between us.

Light glanced off something on her ring finger, and I let out a squeal. “Oh my God!”

“What?” Hudson asked as he whirled, and everyone stared at us.

Cale cleared his throat. “I know in some families you’re supposed to ask the patriarch, or the eldest, but I am frankly a little confused as to the pecking order of the Cages. And, well, I love Sophia so much I couldn’t wait.”