A second later, Ev stood and joined in. “I’m sorry.” He rested his cheek on the top of my head. “At the risk of sounding like a heroine in a cheesy romance novel, I can’t imagine my life without you. I got a little panicked.”
“No need to panic, princess.” I wiggled my arm free and pulled him properly into our embrace. “I’m your loyal subject and your wish is my command.”
Liam sniggered and bumped his fist against my upper arm. “Glad we got all that figured out. Now, don’t you have somewhere more important to be? Other people to snuggle up to since you’ll have to do without soon?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I do.”
But I stayed where I was for a moment longer. I wasn’t dreading the upcoming months so badly when Ev and Drew hugged me. I still wasn’t happy, but I knew they’d be there if I needed them. WhenI needed them.
“Okay, guys. I better go.”
Jackson’s gaze followed me out, but I could feel no judgement.
* * * *