Even though the guests were given the invitation late in the evening, they still made it to dinner.
Amy was over the moon when she received them at the door. Even though it was the first time she had ever hosted anything in her life, with them it felt so natural that she forgot she was the host at all.
Malcolm was happy- and a little bit tipsy- that night. He had spent the day outside cleaning the beach with April, Elijah had been openly expressive all day, and Amy had cooked for him-
"This was a lovely meal, Amy," Malcolm said after a sip of his wine. "Thank you."
Amy blushed. Suddenly shy, she held Malcolm's hand for a few seconds before letting go. Malcolm noticed it. Winnie saw it.
Winnie wouldn't say she was an Amy expert or anything, but the girl was practically drooling over Malcolm.
How Amy could still claim she wasn't ready to engage was far beyond Winnie's judging lens.
Winnie stood up with her glass of champagne, ready to make a toast.
"I'll be honest for a moment here."
She paused, and the whole table fell silent, all eyes on her.
"I'm the only girl in my family, and I always wanted a sister," Winnie continued, then paused again. "And that's what Amy is to me. My sister."
April was the first to cheer. Amy was so embarrassed she hid her face in her hands.
"Ever since she quit her old job, I was worried sick," Winnie went on. "What if the Elephant Media screwed her over on her shares? What if nobody understood her out there? What if she didn't eat right? What if she was alone…"
She paused, steadying herself.
"But seeing you all here- like this- I'm grateful to each and every one of you for accepting my sister into your lives," Winnie said, sniffing back tears.
Amy stood and hugged her.
Someone had to respond to the toast, and all eyes turned to Malcolm. He cleared his throat. His head was a mess- if not entirely empty.
He stood.
"Winnie… I was skeptical about you, if I'm being honest," Malcolm began, confusing everyone.
Elijah coughed and leaned in to whisper, "Thank the good lady and sit the fuck down."
Jason squeezed Elijah's hand, silently telling him to let it go. April simply smiled, watching how smitten her brother was.
Malcolm hesitated.
"I don't know much about Amy, but I knew that whatever she was running from wasn't her job. She was running from people."
He continued, "And today she tells me there's someone she needed here with her… It felt strange to me. I thought the Elephant Media was using you to get to us."
Winnie looked appalled.
"Like hell I would be on their side! They fired me in cold blood."
"I'm sorry for assuming," Malcolm said, then smiled. "And thank you for taking out the cat."
Laughter rippled around the table.
Malcolm cleared his throat, "I just needed to know if you were paying attention." He then went serious again, "And this is to friendship"
Everybody cheered and just like that Malcolm wasn't the centre of attention. Amy grabbed his hand and led him to her balcony.
"The cat is not here?" Asked Malcolm, scared. Amy shook her head before she sent him a text.
'Golden is with Mr Adam'
Maybe it was the moonlight, maybe it was the alcohol in him, maybe it was the feelings he was repressing for months or maybe it was the look Amy was giving him. Malcolm closed in their distance before he kissed Amy.
They started slow, testing, waiting before Amy deepened the kiss into a more urgent, wild, passionate.
If Winnie didn't come to announce that the guests were leaving. Amy didn't know how far they would go- when her bra was already on the floor and Malcolm was deliciously enticing.