Page 185 of If You Claim Me

“You are.” He’s bleary-eyed, a state he rarely gets into these days. “But you don’t have a game for a couple of days, so you’re allowed to have a good time on my birthday.”

“I probably won’t remember this tomorrow.”

“Probably not.”

“If Tally wasn’t my coach’s daughter, I’d do anything?—”

“Shots for the birthday girl!” Dallas does some ridiculous hip shimmy as he dances his way over to us.

“Shots are never a good idea,” Flip and I say at the same time.

“These are ninety percent juice. I made sure of it,” Hemi says from behind Dallas.

He passes them out.

Hemi leans in and whispers, “They’re all juice. No one needs the hangover.”

We shoot them, and Flip gets pulled away by the guys, so he never finishes that sentence. But I already know what he was going to say.

Victor has the honor of driving us home at the end of the night, with a ninety percent-sober Connor in the passenger seat, and me and Everly cuddled in the back.

When we arrive home, I fully expect everyone to go straight upstairs, but Connor suggests a quick stop in the kitchen for asnack before bed. It’s not the worst idea. I could use some water and maybe a slice of leftover strawberry cream cake.

“There’s one more gift,” Connor whispers as Everly and Victor rush ahead of us.

“Because Betty and a night out with my friends isn’t enough?” I squeeze his arm.

“I had to save the best for last.”

When we reach the kitchen there’s already a fruit and dessert platter set out for us, along with plates and cutlery and birthday napkins. On top of one plate is a large white envelope with my name written in Connor’s neat cursive.

“Oooh! What else did you get Dred?” Everly slides into one of the seats and starts loading her plate with fruit.

I give Connor a quizzical look.

He tips his chin. “Don’t keep us all waiting.”

Victor takes the seat next to his sister, and Connor and I take the ones across from them.

I open the envelope and peek inside, then glance at my husband. “They finally came through?”

His smile is soft and warm and full of joy.

My hands shake as I pull the documents out. “Oh! Oh my gosh.” It’s not just the paperwork approving us as foster parents. It’s also the paperwork to foster Everly and Victor. All that’s missing is my signature. My bottom lip trembles, tears threatening to spill over. “Oh, Connor.”

He wraps his arm around my shoulder.

Everly and Victor’s eyes are wide with worry. “What is it? Why are you crying?”

“They’re not sad tears, they’re happy tears,” I rush to explain.

“Oh.” Everly’s shoulders relax. “What did Connor get you? Another car?”

I shake my head. “A family.”

Victor frowns. Everly tips her head.

Connor kisses my temple. I’m too choked up to explain.