Page 29 of The Hardest Part

“Since Uncle Matty got married, I’ve noticed she seems…I dunno…lonely?” That wasn’t quite right. It was something else, but it was all she could come up with. “They leaned on each othera lot, and without having him and the boys to fuss over like she did, it’s put her in this funk.”

“Makes sense. Even after fourteen years, grief can rear its ugly head.” Drawing her in, Justin curled his fingers around her waist. “Kim must miss Will and Tim very much.”

“I know she does.”

Nodding, he glanced across the room. “It looks like Billy and the birthday boy could use rescuing from their aunt.”

“Miss Lilly?”

“Do they have another?” Gazing down at her, he chuckled. “Go on, honey. I think I’m going to chat with your mama. Cheer her up some.”

“Yeah, good luck with that.” Rolling her eyes, Emily exhaled with a snort.

“Are you doubting my fantastic charm and fabulous wit?”

Never.

“I’ve got this,” he said and kissed her forehead. “They’re waiting.”

God, how she’d come to despise that word.

The hands on the clock on the wall crept closer and closer to twelve. Emily glanced over at Grams, and giving her a little wave, weaved her way through the crowded room to get to her boys. Seeing she was near, Jake reached for her, and she couldn’t help but smile. He laced their fingers together and tucked her beneath his arm. Pushing a glass of champagne in her hand, his brother took up the other. Between them. Where she belonged.

Fingertips skating over her breast, Billy dropped a kiss to her bare shoulder. She bit her lip, nipples tightening beneath the silk of her dress. Jake’s deep chuckle thrummed in her ear like a promise.

“The three of you together are a sight to behold.” Her smile salacious, Miss Lilly smoothed Emily’s hair. “I can’t wait to make your gown. I have a vision.”

“You do?”

“Mmhm.” Warm lips lingered on her cheek. “Simple, yet exquisite.”

Lilly Gantry could make magic with fabric, a needle, and thread. Like her grandmother before her, she made wedding gowns for all the Brookside brides. Oddly enough, she never married. A dark siren, sensual and alluring, with lustrous black hair and bewitching green eyes, Lilly instead took on a series of lovers throughout the years—both male and female, if the whispers Emily’d heard were to be believed.

“I already know it’s going to be so beautiful.”

All of her creations were.

“Just like you, sweet girl.” Squeezing her shoulders, Lilly smiled and glanced at the clock. “It’s almost time. Happy birthday, darling Jacob. I left you a gift in your room,” she said, and then kissed him.

“Thank you, Auntie.”

“Happy New Year, my boy.” It was Billy’s turn. “May the mountain continue to bless you with favor and good fortune.” Her gaze flicked to Emily, then to Jake. “All of you.”

And with that, she was gone.

“Why is it she’s never married, you think?” Emily asked, her fingers sliding through Jake’s soft hair.

“Asked her once.” And he sheepishly grinned. “She said her life was her own and none of my business.”

She pursed her lips.Okie dokie, then.

“C’mon, Jake.” Billy handed his brother a glass and poured one for himself. “Let’s drink to your birthday and a brand-new year.”

“To our future.”

They clinked glasses, and as the effervescent bubbles tickled her tongue, the countdown began.

Glancing around the room, Emily swallowed her champagne. Her mother stood, smiling at Justin. Lilly was nowhere to be seen. Victor filled Carrie’s glass until it all but overflowed. Uncle Matty had one arm around Grams, the other holding onto his wife, while her cousins played Tug-of-war with Arien between them.

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