Page 142 of You Make Me Feel

ZACH

On Saturday morning we drive to the Captain’s House, where Hudson is hosting the usual weekend breakfast. I pull up behind Asher’s car and walk around to the passenger side to help Sadie out.

She takes my hand and smiles. “You know you could have dropped me off at the shop. That way you could spend more time with your family.”

“And annoy my boss by being late?” I ask. “No way.”

“I’m not your boss,” she says, shaking her head.

“You were pretty bossy yesterday. And anyway, how else are we going to get some good artwork into the shop?” We walk up the steps to the front door. “Right now, it’s all looking a bit…”

“Mediocre?” She arches a brow at me.

“I was going to say in need of attention. But whatever.”

She rolls her eyes. “I swear you’re on the edge of getting fired before you’ve started.”

The truth is, I need something to do. In a few weeks I’ll fly to Chicago and make sure Larry’s ready to take lead on the art gallery. And we’ll interview someone to take my place when travel is needed. Because for most of my time I’ll be living here.

With Sadie. And the shops. And our family.

Ayda swings the door open, her face erupting into a grin when she sees us. “Uncle Zach!” She hugs me. “What was the hospital like? Was the food as bad as they say it is?” Then she looks at Sadie. “By the way, I’m on the third babysitter book now. Romy gave me it. She says we should set up a kids’ book club.”

“Did she?” Sadie asks. “That sounds like Romy.”

I laugh, because I know Sadie would love that. She loves everything about that store.

When we walk inside my whole family is there. Even Wyatt, who shows no sign of going back to the Carolinas. He’s talking to West, who I know is desperate to convince him to set up a boat charter on the island.

For the first time, I start to think the emoji king might stay here. And the family will all be together.

It’s weird how warm that makes me feel.

“Coffee?” Skyler shouts at us.

“Yes please.” About a dozen voices ring out. I pull out a chair for Sadie, next to Francie who’s apparently told Asher she let the news about their baby slip.

Asher told her he forgives her. Which means somebody’s definitely going to tell Francie he also let it slip.

Because one thing is for sure. The Fitzgerald family is never quiet. It’s loud and it’s boisterous and I think I’ve fallen in love with it all over again.

The same way I’ve fallen for the woman they’ve accepted as part of us. The woman who makes me whisper her name as I come inside of her. Who makes me laugh when she tells me about Romy’s latest plans.

The woman I intend to move in with, just as soon as we find a house we both like, because I intend to spend the rest of my life with her.

However it might turn out.

Like she knows I’m thinking about her, she turns around, her gaze catching mine.

“Okay?” she asks. Because she’s still stupidly concerned about my head.

“I’m more than okay,” I promise her. And it’s the truth. Because life with this woman is always better than okay. It’s perfect.