Page 83 of Saving it with My Best Friend's Brother

“And tonight’s about family.” I captured her restless hands and breathed the perfume that had scented my childhood. Her fingers trembled slightly against mine.

The doorbell chime startled a collective jump from us. Van’s low chuckle carried from the couch, where he bounced Chad, who remained blissfully unaware of our nerves.

My heart stuttered at the sight of Amelia on the doorstep. The blue dress I loved shifted like water as she moved, her mother’s bracelet catching the evening light. The wine bottle in her grip wobbled slightly, betraying her anxiety.

The familiar vanilla scent reached me before her voice did. “Hi.” Her fingers twisted the wine bottle stem, a gesture I’d learned meant she was fighting not to reach for me first.

I couldn’t resist closing the distance, tasting mint lip balm in a quick kiss. Wine bottle and audience forgotten.

“There she is!” Mom’s voice wavered with years of longing as she stepped forward. “Come in, sweetheart. I hope you like Italian. Hunter mentioned it was your favorite.”

“Love it.” Amelia melted into Mom’s embrace, and I had to swallow hard against the years of missing this. Her eyes met mine over Mom’s shoulder, bright with understanding.

“Katherine, please. Or Mom, if you’re comfortable with that.” Mom’s wink set my ears burning as she pulled back.

“Subtle, Mother.” Taylor’s voice carried from where she helped Van settle Chad, whose happy gurgle lightened the surrounding air.

Mom’s lasagna recipe filled the apartment with garlic and herbs, the scents wrapping around us like a warm embrace as the evening flowed. Her wine glass clinked gently as she shared stories that had us laughing while Amelia’s hands paintedpictures in the air as she described Pine Haven’s environmental programs. My chest tightened, watching them connect over shared memories of the valley.

“You should have seen Hunter at his first baseball game.” Mom’s wine sloshed slightly as she gestured, eyes soft with memory. “So serious, like the world’s weight sat on his tiny shoulders. Richard—his father—kept telling him to relax, but Hunter was determined to get every motion perfect.”

My collar felt suddenly tight. “Mom...”

“I’ve seen that look recently.” Amelia’s foot found mine under the table, her touch grounding. “Usually during construction meetings.”

“Speaking of construction.” Taylor adjusted Chad’s sleeping weight. “How’s the social media campaign going? Claire’s been working miracles.”

Something warmed Amelia’s voice. “She has. Michael’s been helping her a lot. He has quite an eye for photography.”

Taylor and Van’s knowing glance bounced across the candlelight.

We’d all noticed Michael and Claire’s heads bent together over marketing plans lately, their laughter needing no translation.

“They make a good team.” I watched Amelia’s reaction in the soft light.

Candlelight caught gold flecks in her eyes as she smiled. “They do. It’s nice seeing Michael smile again.”

Mom’s fingers squeezed Amelia’s across the table. “Healing takes time. But having the right person beside you... it makes all the difference.” Her pointed look sent heat crawling up my neck as the ring box pressed against my leg.

Later, voices carried soft as mountain breeze from the balcony where Mom and Amelia stood silhouetted against a sunset. Pine Haven’s peaks painted themselves rose and gold.

“Your father would have adored her.” Mom’s voice caught as I approached. “She has Margaret’s spirit.”

“And her kind of magic.” I drew Amelia close, breathing in vanilla and home.

“Someone should check on that grandson of mine.” Mom’s touch lingered on my arm as she slipped inside, leaving warmth and understanding in her wake.

The night wrapped around us while Pine Haven’s lights sparkled below like earthbound stars. Through glass doors, Taylor and Van gathered their drowsy son as Mom’s laughter mixed with theirs. My heart swelled at the sight—family, home, everything I never knew I needed, right here in my arms.

***

Morning streamed gold through Pine Haven’s restored windows as I pretended to review renovation details, though my mind kept circling tonight’s plans. Through the lobby glass, Claire directed a photoshoot with efficient grace while Michael hovered near the lighting equipment, his usual legal brief focus now trained on her every movement.

“They’ve been at it for hours.” Taylor appeared with coffee that carried Marie’s signature notes of cinnamon. “The lighting’s perfect. He just can’t bear to move away.”

“Think Amelia’s noticed?”

“Please.” Her eyes rolled, but affection softened her voice. “She’s been playing matchmaker since catching them sharing lunch in their mom’s old office.”

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