Page 59 of Unbreak My Heart

Gabe’s eyes glittered with amusement in the downlights above the bar. “You still have to work, you know. Don’t go getting all high and mighty now that you’re a partner.”

Simon’s bark of laughter drew eyes from all around them. He shrugged and pushed the base of Eva’s glass gently toward her, his stomach somersaulting with the contentment on her face. “Well, the way I see it, I’m now your boss. At least on Fridays, anyway.”

Max’s sardonic reply sounded from behind them. “Dear God, what fresh hell have I created this time?”

Gabe’s response was to grab the soda water gun and spray Simon, who jumped backward, laughing as it soaked his shirt. “That’s coming out of your pay, bro.”

“Damn, I’ve missed this.” Ryan’s voice sounded from behind Eva where he leaned against the wall.

Eva glanced at Ryan while taking a sip of her wine, then back to him and his brothers. “Are you lot always this nuts?”

Simon’s grin grew and Gabe leaned on the bar to pretend to whisper to her. “Get out while you can. Seriously. Or else he’ll drag you into this ratbag family and you’ll be stuck forever.”

Eva’s laughter curled satisfaction deep in his belly. “I can’t see a problem with that,” she said, her gaze glued to his.

Emma bumped Eva’s shoulder, her eyes glittering with humour as she looked at her husband. “That’s a good thing, then. Don’t listen to Gabe. He’s just sore they made him tend bar today and he can’t go socialise.”

Gabe pointed the soda gun at Emma. “Is that a dare?”

Emma stuck her tongue between her teeth and winked at Eva. “I wouldn’t think you’d be so rough with the mother of your child.”

Simon blinked. Gabe’s hand dropped, the soda gun forgotten. Max’s mouth fell open.

All around them, the conversation petered out.

“What?” Gabe whispered, eyes wide.

Emma’s grin encompassed her face. “So, I may have done a test just before we came here…”

Gabe let out a whoop so loud Simon winced, then rounded the bar to grab Emma, swinging her in a circle. “You… Really? You’re…”

Emma nodded.

Gabe crushed Emma to him in a tight hug. “I don’t know what to say. This is…” He shook his head and bent his forehead to hers. “Wow.”

Simon’s heart constricted. He knew they’d been trying on and off for a while now. Even though fear doused him—irrational and immediate—happiness for them both eclipsed it, erupting as a massive grin on his face.

Gabe’s head suddenly jerked around, his gaze clashing with Simon’s. Concern furrowed his brow.

Simon’s stomach somersaulted that his brother would let worry for him diminish his own happiness at a moment like this. Simon shook his head and mouthed, “I’m good.”

Obvious relief brightened Gabe’s eyes and a slow grin widened his mouth. He spun to the room and yelled, “We’re having a baby!”

Cheers and whistles bounced around the bar and into the dining area that surrounded the parquet dance floor. Simon watched his mother and father come through the crowd from where they’d been talking to friends and wrap Emma in huge hugs, kisses to Gabe’s cheek and slaps on his back taking over.

Simon looked at Eva, her own happiness at what was happening around her obvious. She and Matty had spent more and more time with all of them and it was clear to anyone looking how well she fit into his family; how well she fithim.

Love for all of them threatened to swallow him whole as he stood there watching their lives move forward. Surpassing all of it was love for a particular red-headed bombshell. Nervous fingers went to his jeans pocket and traced the outline of the hollow round shape at the bottom.

It was still there. Thank goodness.

He just hoped she’d say yes.

Max’s arm went around Simon’s shoulders and Simon looked at his older brother, jabbing him in the ribs with his elbow. Both Max and Gabe knew what he’d planned for today. So many good things had happened in this place over the years since Max had owned it.

“The Cow is back, man.”

Max’s grin expanded, the happy glint in his eyes brightening. “She sure is, Si. She sure is.”

---