Page 187 of Kings & Queen

“You’re right.” He looked at me. “I just really want you two to be friends.”

“It’s that important to you, huh?” I teased.

“Yeah, it is. What do you say we get inside? I’m starving, and Kinsley made dessert for later. She makes the most amazing cookies. Literally to die for.”

“Let’s do it, then.”

I looped my arm through his, and we walked inside and down to the dining room.

“No, seriously, it’s so good to be home in my kitchen. No offense,” Kinsley said, looking at Sophia.

“Your kitchen, baby girl?” Nik teased her.

“Well, the one at home, anyway. But yes, Nikolai. Mrs. Patterson loves me and isn’t at all territorial about her kitchen or kitchens. She even said I could make dinner for you guys. Not at all like Chef Bonfils, although if I had another week, I could have won him over. Oh…” Kinsley’s voice trailed off when Sebastian and I came in. She cast her gaze down to her plate.

I sat down, and the guys all got up and kissed me on the cheek as they normally did, greeting me. She swallowed hard. Mrs. Patterson brought dinner in, and I grabbed my glass of wine, clearing my throat. All eyes turned toward me, except for hers. She kept them downcast, and I hated seeing her like that.

“Kinsley.”

Her head whipped up, and my brother’s eyes filled with pride. He winked, and I rolled my eyes. Kinsley gasped and then giggled as his left cheek twitched.

“Welcome to the family. Salud,” I breathed, locking eyes with her.

“Nazdarovya,” she said in return, letting it roll off her tongue.

A radiant, childlike smile graced her lips, and in that moment, her eyes transformed. For the first time in forever, an elusive piece of my soul that had been missing finally snapped back into place.

An overwhelming sense of true inner peace and a desire to find the other two pieces consumed me. We would find them, come hell or high water.