Page 69 of The Long Game

Rhian settled on the arm of Garrick’s chair. “I hope we’ve never treated you like that.”

“No, you haven’t.” Then he admitted, “But I’ve also never told you about, well, a lot of stuff.”

Savannah touched his shoulder as she gingerly settled onto one of Garrick’s legs. Jack ignored her little wince—lady parts were amazing and scary, and he wasn’t going to think about the size of Fiona’s head, currently cupped in his palm. No, he was not.

“You could tell us anything,” Savannah said, “and we will love you just the same, Jack.”

Jack was horrified to feel the sting of tears in his eyes. Jesus, this had been a fucking roller coaster of a day. “Can you be sure?”

All three of them said “yes” at the same time.

Jack’s heart squeezed painfully in his chest.

“I’m not saying you can or should tell us anything,” Savannah said. “That’s entirely up to you. But whatever you decide, and no matter what has happened in the past, you’re a member of this family. You’re Uncle Jack, now, and like all of Fiona’s other uncles—”

“Of which there arelegion,” Garrick grumbled.

“—you will always be a welcome part of her life, and ours,” Savannah finished.

Jack nodded, humbled. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank us, Jack,” Rhian said with a smile. “We should all be thanking you for putting up with us. If it weren’t for you, Savannah and I would be in Boston pretending we weren’t in love with the same man and Fiona wouldn’t exist. Ourfamilywouldn’t exist, so of course you’re a part of it.”

Jack smirked. “It’s just lucky I have a lifetime of practice keeping Garrick from doing stupid shit.”

“Hey!” Garrick said, but his heart wasn’t in it. He smiled ruefully at Jack. “How about you take some advice from a professional, then? Don’t walk away or try to decide what Grady wants or what’s best for him. Lethimdecide.”

“And maybe,” Savannah added, “to keep him from doing something similarly dumb, tell him whatyouwant. The worst that can happen is he isn’t interested.” Garrick coughed something that sounded likenevergoingtohappenand Savannah dug her elbow into his ribs. “Which, for what it’s worth, I think is unlikely.”

Jack’s heart stuttered as his brain consideredwhat if…

Grady practically boundedto the intercom to hit the door lock release and let Jack back into the building. His door was already blocked open with a shoe from the pile, which probably was more an announcement of his failed housekeeping than a welcoming gesture, but Jack was used to him by now.

After all, he’d never once pointed out that Grady lived—if one chose to believe the critics—in the ultimate bachelor pad, and Grady was definitely adding that to the list of things he liked about Jack.

It was, of course, a really,reallylong list.

Grady dished up Jack’s beef massaman curry over a bed of rice and told himself to be cool. Just because he was having some sort of crisis over his stupid feelings didn’t mean he should ruin their night by acting weird.

Then Jack came through the door and all hope was lost.

“Hey,” Jack said. His smile was almost…shy?

Grady manfully resisted clutching a hand over his heart. “Hey. Dinner’s ready.”

That smile grew. “I hope you didn’t work too hard…placing that order for delivery,” he teased.

“How do you know I didn’t actually go get it?” Grady countered.

“Because the delivery guy is still sitting in his car out front, talking on his phone.”

Grady laughed. “Yeah, okay. Delivery is my specialty. No one ever taught me how to cook.” His laughter faded when he recalled how he’d been raised to believe that was “women’s work” and it wouldn’t be “appropriate” for him to learn.

What utter bullshit.

Jack bumped their hips together playfully as he walked by, knocking Grady out of his dour thoughts. “Thank you for getting dinner.” He picked up his plate and frowned.

“Did I get the wrong thing?” Grady asked, concerned.

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