Page 131 of When We Break

“No.”

“Jesus, Beck, stop being so needy and let the poor girl go.”

With a laugh, Skyla steps away from me and turns to Billie. “And what do I need, then?”

“You need to dance it out.” Bee nods, and the music changes to a P!nk song that Skyla’s played in the house before. Suddenly, my sister, Dani, Birdie, and Skyla start todance.

I step back, giving them more room, and feel Connor walk up beside me. Mik and Benji join the girls, jumping, shaking their heads and arms, moving their shoulders with the beat of the song.

God, she fits.My girl fits into my family like a missing puzzle piece. As if she was supposed to be here all along.

Billie sticks her butt out and gives it a shake, swinging her dark hair around in a circle, and Connor growls next to me.

“Hurt her, and I’ll end you,” I say quietly.

He doesn’t reply.

But he also doesn’t leave.

When that song ends, another begins, and the dance party continues. Blake even moves into the mix. He takes Dani’s hand, and they start to do the jitterbug.

I had no idea he knew how to do that, but he’s surprisingly good at it.

“Me too!” Birdie exclaims, and Blake twirls her around, making her giggle.

After the second song, everyone’s out of breath and laughing. The tension in the room has dissipated.

“Okay,” Skyla says, accepting a glass of water from Benji, “that was fun. I think any time I’m nervous, I’ll simply dance it out.”

“Spontaneous dance parties are the way to go,” Billie agrees. “Sometimes, it’s more fun than”—she gives Birdie the side-eye and then whispers—“sex.”

“Then you’re doing it wrong,” Dani says with a laugh, and now Connordoesleave.

Interesting.

“How do you feel now?” I ask Skyla.

“Better. But I have to get dressed soon. We have the royal reception in two hours.”

“You get to meet the king and queen of the freaking commonwealth,” Bridger says, shaking his head. “That’s wild to me.”

“I think it’s wild to everyone,” Benji says with a shrug. “It’s new for me, and I’ve been a dance husband for a decade.”

“You’ve met celebrities before,” Mik reminds him.

“Not royalty. This is new. Even I’m nervous.”

“And Benjinevergets nervous,” Skyla informs us all. “Okay. I really have to start my hair and makeup. After the reception, we have to come back here so I can do it all over again. Stage makeup is different.”

“We’re here to help,” Billie reminds her.

“And I love you for it,” Skyla says, bringing both Dani and my sister in for a group hug. “But now it’s time I have a private freak-out.”

“That’s our clue to clear out,” Brooks announces, gesturing for everyone to leave. Mik and Benji head for their suite so they can also get ready.

And when we’re alone, I take Skyla’s face in my hands.

“Stop being nervous, Irish.”

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