When we arrive the party is already in full swing and there are photos everywhere of Lottie from a newborn to her now. It is super cute.
Lottie spots us from over near where she stands at the buffet table, and she waves excitedly at me and pushes her way through her guests to get to us.
“You made it!” She exclaims. Clearly she was also unsure whether we’d actually show up, but even if Grayson had refused to come, I wouldn’t have let her down and I would have come on my own.
I pull her into a hug. “Happy birthday!”
Izzy leans in and kisses her, and Dom nods his head in greeting. Lottie’s eyes fall on Grayson and I can she the uncertainty in her eyes. “Grayson, I’m glad you came.”
Grayson nods. “I’m under orders to behave, so you can relax.”
Lottie releases a breath she had been holding. “That’s good.”
Izzy and I hand her our gifts and she tells us to go get drinks and she’ll put them with all her others over by the DJ. We’re at the bar waiting to be served when my eyes follow Grayson’s to where Lottie and Andrews are standing together. Andrews looks down at her with a smile and she beams up at him as they talk. He softly brushes a piece of hair off her face.
“They both look pretty smitten, don’t you think?”
Grayson sniggers. “The only thing Andrews has ever been smitten with his himself.”
I bob my head from side to side. “I don’t know. He looks pretty mesmerised by my friend. Maybe she’ll be the making of him and he’ll be a changed man.”
Grayson pulls his gaze away from them and snorts at my comment. “I highly doubt it.”
We order drinks and then I spot Hannah and ........ we go and join them at their table.
“Hey guys.” Hannah greets us warmly making room for us round their table. We settle in and catch up with everyone.
I stiffen slightly, when I see Lottie and Andrews heading our way. Here we go.
“Grayson, Everly,” Andrews says with a nod of his head. “I’m glad you both could make it.”
Grayson’s hand tightens on my leg. “I wouldn’t miss it. Lottie’s my friend, we’re here for her tonight.” I reply.
Andrews nods and takes a sip of his drink. “Well, I appreciate that you came. Look, I know we have a lot of bad blood between us St. Clair, but well I care about Lottie and I’m all about making her happy so—“
“We’ll never be friends again, Andrews. Too much has happened for that,” Grayson interrupts, “but Lottie’s important to Everly, so I’m willing to draw a line here and now. I’ll make an effort for them both.” To my utter surprise and shock, my guy holds his hand out to Andrews.
Dom coughs, spluttering out his beer, and Izzy pats his back. Dom clearly was not expecting this speech from Grayson.
Andrews looks at his hand for a second as if checking that he hasn’t imagined it, and then he places his hand in Grayson’s and they share a firm handshake.
The tension around the table immediately eases, and I take the breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding in. I lean over in my seat to my man and cup his neck and pull him in for a kiss.
“Thank you.”
He shrugs, playing it down. “Its no big deal.”
I shake my head. “It’s a big deal to me. I love the bones of you.”
He presses his lips briefly against mine. “Ditto, Manchester.”
“Okay, come on,” Izzy announces, standing to her feet, Hannah, Everly, Lottie, we need to hit that dance floor and show the kiddies how it is done.”
We dance for a good half hour when I spot Grayson on his phone, a deep frown marring his face. He says something to Dom, and he nods and comes over to me and leans into my ear.
“We need to go. Grayson’s just had Ems on the phone their dad has come home and smashed up the house she sounds frightened.”
“Shit, Okay let’s go.”
Dom grabs my wrist and stops me in my steps. “You and Iz stay here and enjoy the party. G and I can deal with this.”
“No way. I’m coming. I’ve been in a room before when these two go at it and I’m going with you both. I’ll explain to Lottie and we’ll meet you outside.”
I can tell Dom wants to argue with me, but he nods his head and stalks back over to Grayson. I lean into Izzy’s ear and explain what has happened, and Izzy tells me she’s coming too.
I beckon Lottie over to me and dancing and smiling, she comes over. “Everything okay?”
I shake my head. “Not really, we have to go Grayson’s dad has come home drunk, and he’s smashing the house up, Ems is there.”
Lottie’s smile drops. “Oh shit, of course, go do what you need to do.” She leans in and drops a kiss on my cheek. “Text me later and let me know that you’re all okay?”
I nod as I grab Izzy’s hand and we make for the exit.
Outside, Grayson is pacing up and down as we wait for the Uber. I walk up to him and stop him in his tracks, placing my arms around his waist. “It’ll be okay, Gray.”
He nods his head, not looking convinced. “She’s there on her own with him Ev.”
“She’s locked herself in her bedroom, she’s safe.” Dom says trying to reassure him.
“Is Owen not with her?” I ask. At least if he was there, she’d be protected.
Grayson shakes his head. “I’ve just rang him, he was at home, but he’s heading over there now.”
The
