Page 134 of Red Hot Harmony

Meanwhile, Camille and I made it to the kitchen to look for the candles.

Here, the heavy scent of vanilla hung in the air and there was something huge and light brown in the oven when Eloise pulled the door open to check on the cake.

My mouth watered. I’d been a long time since I’d let myself get carried away with unhealthy food. My lifestyle didn’t allow for many liberties, but I was used to it at this point. My body appreciated it too.

At the island, Yanneth was working on the icing. Now that Camille lived here, she didn’t spend much time cooking anymore, but we still had her over once a week, and she’d become sort of a family member.

“What’s all that racket?” my future monst—mother-in-law said matter-of-factly, fumbling with the towel she held in her hands.

“The gang’s here,” I explained, inspecting the contents of the drawers in search of the candles.

“And they’re hungry,” Camille added.

“They’re teenagers,” Yanneth murmured. “They are always hungry.”

“Right.” At times, I felt threatened in my own kitchen with so many women present.

It was three against one, and Eloise, in particular, was very intimidating, even if she’d warmed up to me.

“You know what, ladies?” I gave them my best smile as I retrieved a pack of candles from the bottom of the drawer. “I’ll leave you to it.”

Shortly after, the chicken was ready and had been taken off the grill. The girls were lounging by the pool, drinking sodas and laughing and taking selfies. Mac was occasionally included in some of the shots since a good half probably went on social media. Ally’s hair was wild and curly and fun and she looked all of her seventeen years, almost a young woman, right on the cusp of independence, ready to embrace her adulthood.

The thought terrified me as much as it excited me.

Yes, it would be nice to see my girl doing all those great things we’d talked about over the course of the past months during our family dinners, but a part of me would always miss her in this house, miss our guitar sessions, and our video games nights, even our failed cooking exercises.

Still, we had another year left before she moved out. Although she wouldn’t be spending this summer with us anyway. Systematic was the first band Equilibrium had taken under its wing, and the quartet had a small tour scheduled across the U.S.

Twenty-five dates.

Twenty-five cities.

It was exhilarating, to be doing something I’d been doing all my life but differently, to be writing music and helping young artists not to get screwed the way Frankie-boy and myself had gotten screwed for nearly two decades.

“Izzy’s here!” someone screamed off to the side and I paused what I was doing to greet the newest addition to the Equilibrium family.

She emerged from around the corner, as always independent in thatnot taking shit from anyonemanner so typical of her and completely oblivious to the fact that Ash made several noble attempts to help her maneuver the chair around the bundle of cables we had running from the pool area to the terrace.

“Stop fussing, dude.” She turned her head and bared her teeth at him, then pushed forward, effectively going over the power lines.

More shrieking and excited babbling filled the back yard and I found myself secretly enjoying this, enjoying hearing the voices of people that had been making my life worth living.

“Where’s that famous chicken a la Martinez?” Izzy was shouting moments later, claiming a seat between Ash and Ally at the table. Rumor was the two hadn’t been alone since that very first meeting at Frank and Cassy’s engagement party I’d sort of fucked up a little.

Speaking of Frank… He took on the duties of serving the main course. Eloise and Talia helped. Yanneth turned on the string lights Malik and I had installed last week.

Snowflake was stretched out by the side of the pool, staring at everyone and completely unafraid of people.

It was loud and it was wonderful and I couldn’t remember the time I’d been this happy.

Camille’s head fell on my shoulder as she moved her chair closer to me.

“Are we really getting married in two months?” she asked quietly, her lips next to my ear.

I reached down and took her hand in mine, then studied the diamond ring on her finger that I’d given her last Christmas when we went to Hawaii for three days. It was just the two of us and it was glorious.

“Yes, we are, mama.” I kissed her forehead.

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