Their apartment was very nice. Not only had Michael made his own fortune, but Vee had too, and it showed in their style of tall ceilings, white tiled floors, dark furniture, and floor-to-ceiling glass that showed off one of the best views in Sydney. Vee was in the kitchen, wearing dark tights and an off-the-shoulder, oversized sweater, looking glamorously casual, her dark hair in waves to her shoulders, her smile wide.

And there was Angus, looking just as at home in his jeans with the knees out of them and an old T-shirt, no shoes. His whole face lit up and he walked over and collected Jordan in a crushing hug, and I gave Vee a kiss on the cheek. “You look… Well, jeez, you look ridiculously happy.”

She beamed. “I am.”

Michael walked behind her and kissed her bare shoulder. “We are.”

“You do too,” she said quietly. “Introduce me to the man who puts that spark in your eye.”

We all made small talk and had a glass of wine and few canapés, but Jordan was still quiet, and the stiffness of his shoulders told me he was incredibly nervous.

“Oh, Vee,” I said. “You have to show Jordan your Miyazaki set.”

He perked up at that. “Hayao Miyazaki?”

“Oh, you know his work?”

He put his hand to his mouth. “I love it.”

“I have The Art of Howl’s Moving Castle. Leather-bound, first edition. Signed.”

Jordan gaped. “You do not!”

Vee laughed. “And that’s not all.”

“Noooo,” Jordan breathed.

Vee nodded.

Jordan gasped. “Shut. Up.”

She laughed and took him by the arm and they disappeared down the hall with Angus in tow. Merry and I helped Michael serve the main meal, and when Jordan reappeared with Vee and Angus, he was so much more relaxed. And chatty. And smiling.

We ate dinner, drank some wine, laughed, and chatted until our plates were empty and our bellies were full. It was actually amazing to watch Michael, Vee, and Angus all interact. There were soft glances, the brushing of hands, lingering looks. It was clear to see they were all happy.

“Thank you,” Jordan whispered to me later. “Vee’s library is amazing. I want one.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I like your friends,” he murmured. “They treat him well.”

I spared a glance at Angus and he was laughing at something Merry had said, and he had his arm around Vee’s chair and Michael had his hand on Angus’ thigh. “Yeah. I knew they would. He’s happy.”

Jordan let out a sigh and smiled, leaning into me a little. “So am I.”

I leaned in and kissed him. “Glad to hear that.”

There was silence, which made me and Jordan look around the table. All eyes were on us, and I couldn’t even be embarrassed. “Yes, I’m so ridiculously in love,” I said. “It’s actually gross.”