Page 104 of Enchanted

“I’m glad.” He shut my door before sliding behind the wheel. “And your new housemates? Did you spend any time with them?”

“Mostly with Quill. I think that’s partially why I slept so well. We stayed up until one chatting and bingeing the newest season of Med.”

“I’m going to assume that’s one of the Below Deck franchises.”

“The best one. There’s so many of them, mind you, but Med definitely takes the crown. That’s the great thing about Below Deck—as soon as one season ends, another begins. I’ve fallen behind since I’ve not been having chemo.”

He smiled sadly. “That’s a nice problem to have.”

“It is. Now I’m living with Quill, I suspect I’ll catch up in no time.”

We turned through the ornate gates that led to Rami’s house. Suddenly I was transported back to the first time I went through them, the same bundle of nerves unspooling in my gut. “Are you sure everyone’s okay with me gatecrashing breakfast?”

“Yes.” He reached out and took my hand in his, stroking the back of it soothingly with his thumb. “They’re looking forward to meeting you.”

That didn’t help the nerves. “I hope I don’t disappoint them. I’m not very interesting.”

Rami shot me an incredulous look. “Not interesting? Eth, I’m not exaggerating when I say you’re the most interesting person I’ve ever met. And believe me, I’ve met a lot.”

“You’re biased,” I replied fondly. “You have to say that because we’re…friends.”

I couldn’t help but hesitate before saying that final word. We were friends, but we were also so much more, even if I wasn’t quite ready to admit it aloud yet.

Thankfully, Rami didn’t take offence. “We are. After today, you’re going to have a whole bunch more friends to add to your roster. But don’t forget—I’m your favourite.”

I laughed as he led me up the steps to the front door. “You’ll always be that, Rami.”

“Everyone’s been warned to be on their best behaviour,” he said as we made our way through the foyer. Voices and laughter filtered through from the kitchen, causing my stomach to somersault in a fashion that made eating seem unwise. “By everyone, I mean the twins. But given you’ve already experienced their idea of ‘behaving,’ don’t hold your breath.”

“So long as no one strips naked, I think we’ll be okay.”

“Strips naked?” One of the twins appeared before us in the doorway, a slightly maniacal twinkle in his eye. “Theo, you hear that? We get to be naked again!”

Rami growled, using my hand to pull me closer. Before he could say anything, Ez appeared behind Nate.

“Do I need to remind you what happened the last time you bothered Ethan?”

Nate smirked. “Maybe.”

A new voice rang out. “Nathaniel, remember that it won’t just be Ezekiel training you, but Nox too.”

“Fine,” Nate huffed, stepping aside to let us in. “I’ll behave. Ish.”

We entered the kitchen, which I swore had seemed huge the last time I was here. With all the people crammed inside now, it was anything but.

I’d barely taken in all the smiling faces before one of them was stepping forwards, his hand outstretched and a wide smile on his face.

“Ethan, it’s so good to meet you.” Like everyone else I’d met previously, this man was gorgeous. Immaculate blond hair, lean muscles, dressed in sharp chinos and a neatly pressed shirt. I recognised his voice as the one that had just reprimanded Nate. “I’m Micah. Welcome, we’re so happy you’re here.”

“Hi,” I said. “Thank you for having me.”

“Let me introduce everyone else,” Rami’s deep voice rumbled. He still hadn’t let go of my hand, for which I was very grateful. I’d never been particularly shy, but this was a lot of people.

A lot of people who were all staring at me like I was some fascinating, alien creature.

“This is Grace and Breann,” Rami said. The two women sat together at the end of the table raised their hands in greeting. “Next to them is Nox, Micah’s partner.”

Nox smiled and waved. I could see why the twins didn’t want to train with him. With his dark hair, tattoos, and piercings, I’d probably run the other way if I saw him in an alley. My gaze flicked between him and Micah, who had sat down beside him. They seemed like an oddly matched couple at first glance.