“Whoa,” I whispered after opening the front door to find Stephen, “who are you and what did you do with my cowboy friend?”

“You told me it was a semi-formal dinner. So I dressed semi-formal,” Stephen laughed as Sparrow came running around the corner, immediately taking Maddox from him and rushing to the living room, “he stole my baby.”

“I warned you it would happen. Come in, I’m almost done getting ready,” I stepped aside to allow Stephen in, studying him when he turned to greet Thomas.

Stephen had slicked his hair back, making it so you could see how truly beautiful his amber eyes were. He had taken the time to shave and where I was wearing an emerald green, low back jumpsuit and white kitten heels to make myself a bit taller, his shirt was a starch white, tucked into deep navy slacks. He seemed taller than normal, a feat as he was already nearly seven feet and I realized it was because of his shoes. His loafers had a small lift and as he moved I finally noticed something I hadn’t in the few days we had been around each other.

He’s limping.

I wonder if he’s shorter on one side.

I shouldn’t ask.

“So he had dinner,” Stephen smiled at Sparrow as they sat on the couch and I moved to the mirror near the door, slowly making a thin braid in the front of my hair, “but I forgot to give him a bath. You don’t need to do it I just wanted to tell you. He spits up a bit but he has everything in the bag and…”

“Breathe,” Sparrow laughed, “we raised twins. We can handle an almost one year old for a few hours. We’ll have fun! I came up with some stimulating things to do so he sleeps well, Thomas got a new crib bed thing so he can sleep in Hyacinth’s old room and I have four baby monitors. He’s safe. I also have your number so I can call but don’t worry. Have fun in Boise. You deserve it. You both do. Enjoy yourselves.”

“I just… I’m sorry I’m not used to having help. Doe does a lot but she has her own life to live. I used to take Max to work with me when I first adopted him and we were still in Georgia. But I moved here to be near my sister. So it’s just… strange. I’ll adjust. I did what Hyacinth told me to do. Asked people around town about you guys and your parents, Sparrow. They had nothing but nice things to say about any of you. Oh except Kai, I think his name is. Why is everyone afraid of him?”

“It’s not fear,” Sparrow sighed softly, “my Dad is half Japanese. It’s racism. Shiloh and Kai faced a lot of it when they first moved back here. Kai is from Boston. Met my dad Shiloh in Oregon and they moved here together. The cafe and bookstore that we own? That originally belonged to my grandparents. It’s generational. My parents had it for a long time. About until Thomas and I got married then they sold it and this house to me. This is my childhood home and Hyacinth’s. My entire family is from here except Kai who stands out because of his appearance. But he’s a good man. A great one.”

“So I’m not the only one around with an accent then?” Stephen laughed and I finished my hair, coming over to gently rub the nape of his neck.

“Nope. My grandpa Killian is from Ireland I think I told you that. Thick accent. Kai still has that Boston accent. It’s fun to listen to the two of them talk. They’re friends. I have no idea how they understand each other but whatever. Now come on we’re gonna be late,” I pulled at Stephen and he snorted, getting to his feet and bending down to kiss Maddox on the forehead.

“Bye baby. Be good okay? Dada loves you.”

“Dada,” Maddox wiggled, a bright smile on his face before he laid down on Sparrow, sucking his thumb.

“Oh…”

“Told you,” Sparrow laughed, “I love babies. They love me. But you’re not a baby anymore! You’re a big boy. Say bye bye dada!”

“Dada!” Maddox squealed again, waving and we returned it before I led Stephen out of the house where we found Phoenix and Cove waiting in Phoenix’s car.

“Dipshit!” Phoenix called when he saw me and I sneered at him, “are you riding up there with us?”

“I thought I’d drive us,” Stephen smiled at me and I nervously chewed my lip before nodding, “it’ll be okay. I promise.”

“I trust you just hate being in cars,” I squeezed his arm gently and he took my hand, rubbing my knuckles slowly.

“Cove. Cove they’re touching,” Phoenix smacked at his fiance and Cove pushed him away.

“My God are you five? Hyacinth already texted me about it. They’re going to give dates a try, see how it feels. Oh! Also Ocean told me he ran into you and you basically tore him a new asshole. Good shit,” Cove laughed and I shrugged.

“Not really but I did tell him I don’t love or want to be with him. He offered to end things with Roe for me.”

“Gross,” Phoenix gagged, “you can do better! Oh you already are! Stevie you’re so beautiful. Okay bye,” he pulled away before we could respond and I smacked my forehead, running a hand down my face.

“God he’s dumb,” I grumbled, messing with my hair and tucked it back for a moment, making Stephen gasp, “what?”

“I didn’t… you didn’t tell me you had a prosthetic eye.”

“Huh? Oh yeah but I never wear it. Only to formal events like this. It gets irritating if I wear it too long. It’s also clearly fake. My eyelid works and everything, but the eye is glass so my pupil doesn’t dilate and it doesn’t move when I look around. I just… wanted to look nice tonight.”

“And you do,” he whispered, pulling me to him by my waist and I giggled, resting a hand on his chest, “I like the back of this. I can feel… your spine and…”

“You’re as red as a tomato,” I reached up and slowly touched his cheek.

“I’m not good at flirting. I don’t really know how to do it. I’m just telling you my thoughts. I’m also really bad at lying. You’ll always know what I’m thinking.”

“Really?” I looked at him surprised and he nodded with a smile, “oh thank god. I hate when people lie to me. There’s no point. Honesty is always best even if it will hurt me. I can move past it that way.”

“My thoughts are clear on my face. For example. It’s incredibly hot tonight. Why are you wearing a cardigan?”

“To cover my arms,” I cleared my throat and took a small step back, “I don’t want… people staring at me.”

“Okay,” he nodded, his hand gentle against my back, “then I won’t ask you to take it off. I just worry you’re going to overheat.”

“It’ll be air conditioned in the building. I’ll be okay. But I appreciate your concern and care. It means a lot to me.”

“I’m glad.”

We finally left, heading toward Boise, the car ride comfortable as we simply talked, enjoying each other's company.

“So,” I sighed as we pulled up the hall the engagement party was being held at, “don’t leave my side. I don’t want to do this but I love Jenna.”

“Don’t worry,” Stephen fixed a few loose pieces of my hair, “I'm not going to leave you alone in there.”

“I believe you.”

Stephen came around and opened my door, assisting me out of the car and we slowly headed inside hand in hand, both of us looking around in surprise.

The hall was beautiful and large, decorated in whites and golds, large tables full of food and drinks everywhere as people milled about, talking loudly. Jenna was greeting everyone that came in with her fiancé Kevin and nearly tackled me as soon as she realized I was here.

“Cinn!” She giggled, squeezing tightly.

“Hi babe,” I smiled, kissing the top of her head before shaking hands with Kevin, “it’s nice to see you.”

“You as well,” Kevin nodded, “it’s been a while.”

“Few months. You’re always busy. Oh, Kev, Jen. This is Stevie. Stevie, this is my adopted sister and best friend, Jenna and her fiancé Kevin Mill.”

“Whoa,” Jenna stared at Stephen before a dazzling smile filled her face, “oh my god you brought a date!”

“Mhm,” I hugged Stephens arm as his face went red, “we met a few days ago. It’s been… really nice getting to know someone.”

“That makes me so happy! Okay. So there’s plenty of food, alcohol, all that. Dancing is encouraged. Avoid the front left table. You’ll be at the right with me and Kev.”

“Why am I avoiding… oh…”

“Sorry,” Kevin sighed, “he is my best friend after all.”

Ocean and Roe waved at me from their table and I turned a bit, doing my best to pretend I hadn’t noticed that they were there. Ocean and Kevin had been on the same basketball team in high school, close friends and I had been the entire reason Jenna and Kevin had met. They didn’t begin dating until after high school but they were friends for a long time before that, something that made me happy as their entire relationship was based on a strong understanding of each other.

“It’s fine. We've already talked since he’s been back,” I shrugged.

“Yeah Hyacinth basically told him to fuck off,” Stephen laughed and I smiled at him, “because Ocean told us he’d leave Roe for them. It was… well sad if I’m being honest.”

“And you… actually told him no?” Jenna stared at me surprised and I nodded, “holy shit. You… finally moved on. I’m so proud of you. It’ll be so good for your mental health.”

“Agreed. Listen, we’re gonna get food and a drink. Go ahead and greet everyone else. Love you,” I kissed her cheek again and pulled Stephen to our table, purposefully putting my back to Ocean when I sat so I didn’t have to look at him.

“What do you want for food?” Stephen rubbed my leg under the table and I shrugged, “do you want me to grab a few things for you?”

“You’d do that?”

“I would.”

“Um… okay. Thank you,” I whispered and he softly rubbed my cheek, forcing me to look at him.

“You’re uncomfortable and I can see that. I’m right here. I’ll be back in two minutes you’ll see me the entire time. Everything is fine. I swear.”

“I trust you.”

Stephen left the table and I slowly tapped my fingers against it, trying to ignore the sense of someone staring at me. I had failed to notice someone sitting on my right side until there was a soft touch on my arm and I turned my entire body to find Roe.

“Oh,” I whispered, “um…”

“I wanted to tell you thank you,” he cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable, “for… for not trying to steal Ocean from me.”

“Yeah well… I'm not that kind of person, Roe. I never was. But you need to have a serious talk with him.”

“About?” He looked at me surprised and I tilted my head before the realization hit me.

“He didn’t tell you,” I whispered softly.

“Tell me what?”

“That he told me he’d end things with you if I just told him I wanted to be together. I turned him away. I’m not in love with him anymore. But the fact that he did that should make you concerned. You don’t deserve it. We may have never really gotten along but I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I…” Roe hung his head and Stephen suddenly returned, setting a plate of food in front of me.

“Hyacinth? Is everything okay?” Stephen softly rubbed my neck as he sat down and I nodded.

“Yeah. Yeah we’re fine,” I looked over at Roe and he wiped his nose before nodding as well.

“I apologize for coming over. I just wanted to tell you that we’re good and thank you for coming to the wedding,” Roe cleared his throat and I slowly squeezed his hand.

“Hey,” I whispered, keeping my voice low, “are you sure that’s what you want?”

“No. I never wanted this. But I’m scared to be alone,” he whispered back, his eyes filled with tears, “what do I do, Hyacinth?”

“Be honest. Ocean is surprisingly understanding. He’s just thick so he won’t realize you’re unhappy. He doesn’t want to be alone either. I think you’ve been together off and on so long neither of you had time to grow. So if you don’t want this, don’t do it. Giving up on Ocean is the best thing I could have done, Roe. It gave me Stevie,” I smiled at Stephen and he rubbed his nose on mine, making my cheeks flare, “and I know how good that is for me.”

“Th… thank you. Really,” Roe patted my hand and left us and I continued to stare at Stephen, a gentle smile on my face.

“What is it?” Stephen returned the smile, pulling my hair over my shoulder so he could play with it.

“Do you feel that?” I laid my hand on his chest and he shook his head, “it’s peace. I’m… so happy.”

“Me too,” he laughed, pressing his forehead to mine.

Roe…

Do what’s best for you.

Don’t get stuck in a life you don’t want.

It won’t be good for anyone.