Page 28 of Golden Rule

Dez makes a failed play for the phone, drawing a loud laugh from Jules as she tucks her cell, and her secrets, safely inside her purse.

“Geez,Mom.Didn’t realize I had to run every single detail of my life past you five.”

Dez nudges her with a smirk. “Are you kidding me right now? How the hell did you not know that?”

There’s a long pause. I think weallexpect Jules to open up, to saysomethingabout who’s stolen her attention from us, but… nothing. Her lips are sealed, and it seems she intends to keep it that way.

Tilting her head, Dez’s brow lifts with the realization that this is the end of the conversation. “Well, damn. Okay. Keep your secrets, I guess. Anybody else wanna share sincethisone’splaying coy today? What about you, Blue? How’s house hunting coming?”

Just the thought of it has me sighing with exhaustion. “Well, after touring more houses than we even thought possible in a week’s time, it seems it wasn’t all for nothing, because… I think we might’ve actually found something.”

Scar’s eyes grow to twice their usual size as she sets her Mojito back on the table. “You didn’t tell me that! When do I get to see?”

I smile at her enthusiasm. “We haven’t even decided if we’re making an offer yet, but as soon as that’s settled, promise you’ll be the first to know.”

“I better be.” She shoots me a look. The same scolding stare I used to giveherback in the day.

Lexi squeezes my hand from across the table. “That’s awesome, girl! Good for you!”

“Thanks. Hopefully, this means we won’t be living out of boxes much longer.”

“That sounds like heaven,” Joss says. “First of all, congrats! Second, pray Dane and I find something soon, too. The other day, I ate ramen with my bare hands because I got tired of digging through boxes, looking for a fork. Let’s just say times are hard.”

I purse my lips, holding in a laugh as I imagine it—her picking noodles out of her bowl with freshly manicured acrylics.

Times are hard indeed.

“Also… I might have a bit more news,” I say with a smile. “The timing of us finding the house—assuming it’sthehouse—is kind of perfect.”

Scar’s brow arches, and she sets her drink down again, waiting for me to finish.

“West and I decided to try again.”

Without having to explain any further, the looks on their faces say it all. There are tears in Jules’ and Scar’s eyes, and the others are smiling so big you’d think they just got the best news of their lives.

The next second, Scar’s arms are around my neck, squeezing me half to death.

“I’munbelievablyhappy for you guys, and I’m here. For everything.”

Hearing those words, I squeeze her tighter, because that’s exactly what I needed.

Shit, nowI’mcrying.

“I’m gonna need each and every one of you,” I admit, glancing around the table when Scar lets go. “This process is tough as hell—physically, emotionally—and I don’t think we could do it again on our own.”

More tears fall, and I swallow to gather myself.

“We were able to make this decision because, this time, we know it’ll be different. We know we won’t be alone.”

“Damn right,” Lexi says, and the next second, she’s out of her seat, coming to my side of the table to squeeze me just as tight as Scar did.

“You’ve got us,” Jules says.

“Allof us,” Dez adds.

My hand warms when Joss takes it, confirming the spoken and unspoken promises alike. I never doubted they’d have my back, but it’s still amazing to hear.

“I love each and every one of you. Thank you.”

---