Page 116 of Embracing the Change

Damn, it’d slipped my mind they hadn’t met yet. At a function several months ago that Darryn couldn’t attend, she’d met Allegra. She’d met the rest earlier when they’d arrived for lunch. Darryn, no.

“Yes, and you’re Darryn.” Dru offered her hand, and Darryn took it.

“I’d say welcome to the family, but that isn’t usually the way we play. Normally, it’s Nora being hilarious, her kids pretending they don’t think she is, when they do, and me stuffing myself so full of Alyona’s food, I have to wear untucked shirts every time I come here so I can unbutton my pants.”

Dru burst out laughing.

Thank God for Darryn.

“You’ll be pleased to know I made your favorite chicken salad, Darryn,” Alyona shouted from the kitchen.

“Allegra needs a sister wife,” Darryn shouted back.

Allegra turned her eyes to the ceiling.

I felt an arm slide along my waist, and I looked up at my boy.

“You okay, Ma?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” I assured.

“I lost it. It was uncool. I’m sorry.”

“You’re home, Nico. This will always be your home, even, in a way, it will be when it’s Darryn and Allegra’s. You’re free to behave however you like at home.”

“Oh, yeah,” Darryn called to me. “Thanks for the future new digs, Momma.”

I chuckled.

“Darryn!” Allegra snapped.

I looked to Dru to see her reaction to this, considering I knew Jamie had spoken to her about my redecoration plans, and she’d agreed to help, but I had not had the opportunity to discuss it with her and get a sense as to how she really felt about it.

But she was smiling at Darryn.

“Losers!” Valentina yelled from the bar cart. “Jamie and me just made up a cocktail and everyone has to drink it.”

“Is it a riff on a Long Island?” Archie called.

“You know me so well, loverboy,” Valentina cooed.

“I’m in,” Archie declared.

Dear Lord.

Valentina at the helm, we’d all be sloshed in an hour.

But maybe that wasn’t a bad thing.

I sought Jamie’s gaze, and he didn’t make me work for it. His was on me.

All right? he mouthed.

I nodded.

He sent me a gentle smile.

I hadn’t been all right.

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