Page 172 of Destined Lovers

“Hello, my sweet child,” Agnes calls from Maeve’s arms chair in the corner. I hadn’t even noticed her there. She scoots over in a silent invitation to join her, and I don’t hesitate a second.

It took Agnes months to get over her pneumonia, and it finally hit me how frail she has become. She’s almost ninety-four, and I know this past sickness did a number on her, making me extra needy for her. I sleep with her the nights Declan is traveling, and I’m constantly snuggling her any chance I can.

“How are you feeling, Nan?”

She leans her head on my shoulder. “Just tired.”

“Say hi to everyone and then go to sleep, don’t worry about the dinner tonight. It will be too much and too loud,” I tell her, and the fact that she agrees shows me she still isn’t one hundred percent because she loves Declan too much ever to miss his birthday dinner.

“Whoa, hot mama.” Penny steps out of the bathroom and makes the chef’s kiss motion. “I’m borrowing this top when Lola and I go to Amsterdam.”

“Of course,” I tell her. It’s nice to have someone the same size as you in the house. It’s like having two wardrobes, except one way better than the other. Penny is more fashion-forward and pushes my comfort level with things she forces me to buy, but somehow they all work. “I still can’t believe Lola’s dragging you there for a guy she just met.” I shake my head.

Lola is on the prowl to find a man. She’s a serial dater and swears she’ll know the second she meets the one.

“I know.” Penny smirks. “All I had to pay for was the train, she’s paying for the hotel and dinner, so I’m not complaining.”

She spritzes herself with a new perfume we just made with rose and wild geranium undertones for the upcoming summer that’s right around the corner.

It’s no longer just Agnes and me making perfume. We’ve recruited Penny, Maeve, Sadie, and even little Charlie.

And, of course, our mascots, Bacon and Buddy, are always close by.

“I braided Maeve’s hair. I hope you don’t mind. I figured you were busy and wanted to help you,” Penny tells me as she slips on her tight chocolate brown strapless dress.

I eye her suspiciously. “Yeah, it’s fine, but you’re getting pretty dressed up yourself.”

“I wear comfortable clothes to take care of Maeve most of the time. It’s nice to get dressed up once in a while.” She doesn’t look in my direction, ignoring my eyes penetrating her lying arse.

“You’re sure it’s not for a hunky muscular fella that will be joining us for dinner tonight?”

She rolls her eyes. “Will you give it a rest? You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m not wrong—” The doorbell rings, and then I hear a flood of voices come from downstairs.

“Saved by the bell,” Penny murmurs. “Let’s go, Maeve.”

“I got her. You’re not working tonight, you’re our guest.”

Along with all our guards.

That’s why if I were a betting girl, I would put all my money on the reason Penny is dressing up is because Ethan will be joining us tonight.

Penny shoots daggers at me. “I don’t need to be working to help Maeve. I do it because I love her.”

I grin. “Testy, testy,” I tease, and she huffs, annoyed.

Penny won’t admit it, but she and Ethan were closer than she let on that night we walked in on them, and I don’t think she’s been happy since he left and found a suitable replacement soon after.

I walk down the stairs just as Jackson, Annabelle, and Lola enter the kitchen.

“Bucks, my man, happy birthday.” Jackson grabs Declan for a hug as he mumbles something inaudible.

I chuckle quietly at Declan’s annoyance. He rarely lets anything get to him, and for some reason, Jackson calling him Bucks always sets him off. Making it all the more comical to see how irritated it makes him.

Lola turns and smiles warmly in my direction, then encases me in a bear hug. “You look gorgeous. Thank you for having us.” She hands me a hostess gift, which is entirely unnecessary.

“Sorry, we’re late!” Sadie calls as she struts in with Wills in a hot as feck white pantsuit that cuts deep, showing off her girls. I’m surprised Wills even let her leave like that, honestly. His possessiveness shows no mercy typically. “Charlie was giving us a hard time, telling us we’re mean parents that we made her, Ruby, and Archie celebrate Uncle Dec earlier in the day.” She huffs, then hands Declan a small bag.

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