Page 83 of The Naughty List

I remain on one knee next to Ache, because Hollis deserves this. She deserves for the people who mean everything to her to be apart of the most important moments of her life. And truthfully, I love them all, too, and I’m glad they’re here.

Hollis comes out smiling, her eyes gleaming with tears because she already knows but didn’t expect Ache to be involved.

She looks at him, then at me, and nods. Our eyes conveying the silent bond of a love that will never fail.

I untie the ribbon and stand, slipping my ring back on her finger where it belongs.

She kisses me, much longer and deeper than I’d expected with her brothers and parents watching but who am I to deny her? Her tongue is sweet and soft against mine. Achilles barks between us and everyone breaks into laughter.

“Right?” Mikey mutters, patting Ache on the head. “No one wants to see that.”

“Some people would pay good money to see it,” Addison argues.

“Actually, we have another announcement,” Hollis pipes up, glancing at me to make sure it’s okay to share.

I nod for her to continue.

Her family waits patiently, but I see the furtive glances at her mid-section. I know the conclusion they’re all drawing, the sign they’re looking for. I hope she hurries this along before someone decks me.

“Jonah bought a gym,” she says, practically bouncing on her toes. “With his friend Joey. He’s still going to run the WDA but he’s also going to train troubled kids in mixed martial arts and anger management.”

The relief on her dad’s face is visible.

“That’s wonderful, Jonah,” her mom says, hugging me tightly. “I’m so happy for you both.”

I wrap my arms around her, returning the hug. “Thank you, Mrs. Rossi.”

She leans back and her eyes meet mine. “Jonah, I think you’ve been without a family long enough. Let’s say you call me Mom, yeah?”

I wasn’t expecting that. I’ve never had anyone to call Mom. Or Dad. Or my brothers or my sister.

I glance around at all of their faces, still stunned by how much love I see on them. For each other. For Hollis. For me. For our future.

“I’d like that. A lot,” I say, choking out the words over the emotions rising in my throat as she steps aside so Hollis can take her place in my arms.

Another confession: I knew the day I laid eyes on Hollis Rossi that she was going to change my life. I just didn’t know quite how drastic that change would be.

Or that it would be a permanent change.

Looking at her, at those beautiful warm brown eyes and that infectiously gorgeous smile, holding her and knowing she’s mine and I’m hers, I no longer hold a single ounce of bitterness or resentment about my past.

Yeah, it was rough and dark and lonely most of the time.

But it was a road worth traveling. Because I ended up exactly where I was meant to be.

Holding onto my future.