Page 153 of Stepbrother Dearest

I’d never had someone care about me the way he did, and while he still sometimes struggled with telling me what he was feeling or thinking, he always found ways to show me.

Graham wasn’t just my boyfriend. He was my best friend. He understood me like no one ever had. He made me feel seen, safe, and his family and friends had accepted me as one of their own.

For the first time in my life, I had the family I’d always wanted.

We started this thing as enemies, but now he was my home, and I was beyond thankful we’d found each other.

EPILOGUE

Gray

Two Years Later

“Weren’tyou the one who made a huge deal about making sure we weren’t late for our reservation?” I teased as Caleb unlocked our front door.

“Maybe.” He tugged his keys free and shot me an apologetic look over his shoulder. “This’ll only take a minute.” He shoved the door open. I followed him into our townhouse.

“SURPRISE!”

“Eeek!” The shriek I let out was both high pitched and completely ridiculous, as was my involuntary “holy shit” dance at being startled.

The room erupted. Stunned, I stared at the crowd of people in our living room.

My parents, Eli, West, and our little siblings were crowded together and holding handmade signs that said “Happy” “25th” “Birthday” “Gray” “We” “Love” and “You.” A few family friends stood with them, including Evie, Marilyn, and Tabby.

Sloane, Aimee, and a small group of our friends from Caleb’s work were on the other side of the room, and in the middle stood my friends from the club, including Kai and his boyfriend Alex.

“The f-fudge?” I gaped at everyone.

“Happy birthday, babe.” Caleb slung his arm over my shoulders and smacked a loud kiss against my cheek.

“But…” I snapped out of my daze as my little siblings flung their signs aside and raced toward us.

“Oof.” I rocked on my feet as Henry and Harper slammed into me and koala-hugged my waist.

Caleb laughed and steadied me.

“Happy birthday!” the little ones shouted.

I peeled them off me and knelt so I was at their level. I motioned to the noise-cancelling headphones Lyla had on. She pulled them off.

“Happy birthday.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a tight squeeze. When she let go, she launched herself into Caleb’s arms with a gleeful squeal.

Grinning, he scooped her up and settled her on his hip. “Heya, sweet girl. How are you?”

I’d long since come to terms with the fact that I was no longer Lyla’s favorite, and I loved that she and Caleb were so close.

Not to be outdone, Henry and Harper latched onto me like spider monkeys and hugged me tight.

“Okay.” Henry stepped back, looking pleased with himself. “We said happy birthday. Now we’re allowed to have a cupcake.”

Harper took off toward the kitchen with Henry on her heels.

“Do you want to go get a cupcake?” Caleb asked Lyla.

She shook her head and cuddled up closer to him.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” Mom said as she came up to us.

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