Page 97 of Jax & Knox

When the Old Ladies arrive, they come in like a whirlwind.

Tessa is the first through the door, her energy infectious. "Girls' day! Let's go!"

Lucy follows, smiling warmly. "You ready, Ainsley?"

Hadley, Erica, and Scarlett pile in behind them, all talking at once.

I laugh, setting my coffee down. "I'm ready."

Jax stands, Owen still in his arms. "Have fun, baby."

I kiss Owen's cheek, then Jax's lips. "I will."

Knox wraps his arms around me from behind, pressing a kiss to my temple. "We've got Owen. Don't worry about anything."

"I won't," I say, leaning into him for a moment.

Then Tessa loops her arm through mine and drags me toward the door.

We end up at a cute little brunch spot downtown, a place with mismatched chairs, vintage decor, and the best mimosas in Jackson.

The table is loud, full of laughter and overlapping conversations. I sit between Tessa and Lucy, feeling lighter than I have in weeks.

"So," Hadley says, leaning forward with a grin. "How does it feel to officially be one of us?"

I blink. "What do you mean?"

"You're an Old Lady now," Scarlett says, smiling. "You're part of the family."

My throat tightens. "I am?"

"Of course you are," Erica says gently. "You've been part of this family since the night you showed up. We just had to wait for you to realize it."

Tears prick my eyes, and I blink them back. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," Lucy says, squeezing my hand. "Just know that we've got you. Always."

Tessa raises her mimosa. "To Ainsley. Welcome to the sisterhood, bitch."

Everyone laughs, and I raise my glass, clinking it against theirs.

"To the sisterhood," I echo.

After brunch, we hit a few boutiques downtown.

Tessa insists on buying me a new dress, a soft, flowy thing that makes me feel beautiful. Lucy picks out a onesie for Owen that says "Future Heartbreaker," and Hadley finds a leather jacket that she swears I need.

"You're an Old Lady now," she says, holding it up. "You need to look the part."

I laugh, but I try it on anyway.

When I look in the mirror, I barely recognize myself.

The woman staring back at me looks strong. Confident. Like she belongs.

"You look amazing," Scarlett says, smiling.

"I feel amazing," I admit.