Page 162 of Lavish
I couldn’t help but laugh, and wipe a loose tear.
For a second, we just stood there—the space between us tight with all the years we’d let slip by. Then, almost shyly, Erik opened his arms. My heart skipped. And then, without thinking, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around my brother.
“I missed you, Erik,” I whispered into his shoulder.
His arms tightened just slightly. “Missed you too, Rena.”
“Can I get a hug?” Miles said behind us.
Erik pulled back just enough to glance at him, brows raised. “After everything?”
Miles shrugged. “I feel like I earned it.”
I snorted.
Erik stared for a beat, then sighed and opened his arms. “Come here, dumbass.”
A sudden high-pitched screech tore down the hallway, cutting straight through the quiet moment between us.
“What the hell,” Erik muttered, already moving.
We hurried back down the corridor, my heels clicking sharp against the tile as my heart pounded in my chest.
As we rounded the corner, Gigi was planted right in front of Reese, her hands flailing.
“Spit it out!” she shouted, clearly unable to contain her excitement. “Are they okay? What’s the name? Is now my time to shine as the favorite aunt?”
“Georgiana,” Daddy said.
“How’s Laurene doing?” Noelle spoke, and Erik was beside her, with a hand on her shoulder.
“She’s good,” Reese said, looking exhausted but proud. “Tired, obviously. But she’s incredible. They’re both incredible. Her name is Daisy Ashbourne-King.”
A collective gasp filled the room, followed by a round of applause.
Gigi’s face lit up like a Christmas tree.
“Daisy!” She clapped her hands together. “Daisy! Oh my God, I’m going to spoil her rotten. Daisy Ashbourne-King, yes! That’s such a beautiful name, Reese! You’ve got taste, man. But you could have named her Gigi.”
Heels echoed down the hall before Reese could thank them.
We all turned.
Mama.
Her silhouette moved like a shadow at first, all sleek lines and sharp elegance, her chin lifting as she swept toward us. Her eyes flicked over the group—Erik, Noelle, Daddy, Reese, Jennie, Gigi—and finally, inevitably, me.
Only, when they reached me, they slid past as if I were a stranger standing in the hall.
My chest squeezed, but I lifted my chin. Not today.
“Oh, Mama, youjustmissed it!” Gigi practically launched herself forward, grabbing Mama’s hands. “Laurene’s perfect, the baby’s perfect, and her name is Daisy—Daisy. So feminine and dainty!?”
Mama’s lips curved, just slightly.
“Daisy,” she repeated, voice soft like she was tasting it. “That’s lovely.”
She nodded at Gigi, squeezed Erik’s arm in passing, murmured something low to Reese. Jennie hovered, practically bouncing in place, and Mama even gave her a gracious nod.
