About Last Night...

She hesitated before nodding. “Uh-huh.” Reluctantly, she stepped aside, and I walked inside, my hands firmly fisted into the pockets of my jacket.

Qui

I jerked my chin at him in acknowledgement then turned back to Mia, who stood stiff by the kitchen counter. “I need to talk to you.”

Her eyes darted from me to Qui

Then Qui

It was clear as day. They loved each other. There was no mistaking it. My mouth opened and I rushed out, “Can you stay a sec? What I need to say, both of you need to hear.”

Qui

The spotlight was on me. And suddenly, words vanished. I stood there, blinking over at them, biting the inside of my cheek, my fingers twitching. Frustration caused my eyes to shut tightly and I sighed. Then, I paced. “You know, sometimes you do or say things that you wish you n…”

Oh, how cliché. Come on, Har. You can do better than this.

I stopped mid-step and tried again. “Mia’s my sister, Qui

…stepped in where you weren’t needed?

Are you fucking serious, man? Just say what you need to say.

I breathed deeply and spoke the words calmly, even though my heart was racing. I spoke to Qui

I spoke to Mia next, stepping forward, wanting her to look me in the eye. “You told me you loved Qui

She swallowed as she blinked back tears.

My heart broke.

I reached out and took her small hand from her side, holding it between both of mine. “I am so sorry, Mi

A sniffle sounded, then she flung herself at me, her arms cinching around my waist like a vise. Her tears stained the front of my shirt, but I didn’t care. I wrapped my arms around her and held her as though it would be the very last time.

She cried, and cried, until finally, she pulled back and punched me right in the gut. My breath left me in a whoosh, and she yelled a broken, “You are an asshole!” Then she pulled me back in for another hug, part wailing, part laughing.

Qui

Mia laughed in outrage, swiping away tears, elbowing Qui

I smiled at them, relief releasing all the pent-up tension in my shoulders. I kept my eyes on Qui

“Depends,” he stated slyly.

My eyes narrowed. “On what?”

“On if you’re going to be the best man at our wedding,” he challenged.

I sniffed a laugh, half relieved. “Yeah, man. I think I can do that.”

He held out his hand and I took it immediately, pulling him in for a man-hug. We slapped each other on the back, and I uttered, “Congratulations, guys. I’m happy for you. Really.”

“Thanks, man,” Qui

I pulled back and faced Qui

His brow rose. “Asking favors already? Shit. I knew something was up.” He sighed melodramatically. “What do you need?”

“Help me get back into shape.”

Mia looked over me and stated, “You’re in great shape, Har.”

I leaned my hip on the counter and explained, “Well, there’s this job I’m applying for that requires you to be in peak physical condition.”

Qui

I fought my grin. “I want to be a cop.”

Mia gasped loudly, looking from Qui

“No shit,” Qui

“Hooch was a dog, dipshit.” I chuckled as I rolled my eyes.

Qui

“You’re Hooch.”

Chapter Forty-Seven – Epilogue

Mia

A smiling Qui

It was our wedding day, and what was better was that it was Qui

We had a small church ceremony, and Father Brady, the same priest who had baptized both my brother and me, named us husband and wife. The only people we invited to join us were Mom, Harry, Terry and Bob, Ella and Mike, and Addison and Nick. We also extended an invitation to Qui

I’d met with the woman who gave birth to my husband and had to admit—I was shocked. For someone as put together as Qui

Mama Qui

I’d asked Qui

My eyes roamed my husband and I took in his new tux. I smiled at the memory of our argument just the week before.

I pulled a garment bag out of Qui