“You were definitely glowing,” Ethan confirmed. “Also, Sebastian, you actually seemed happy again.”
Sebastian ran his free hand through his hair. “How long have you all known?”
“Known known, or suspected?” Alexander asked.
“Either.”
“Suspected? The wedding,” Jules said. “Known for sure? About three weeks ago when Ethan saw you two at that bookshop downtown. You were holding hands and Sebastian was carrying Harper’s books like some kind of Victorian gentleman.”
Ethan nodded enthusiastically. “You kissed her forehead when you thought no one was looking. It was disgustingly sweet.”
Harper covered her face with her free hand. “Oh my god.”
“The European summer was the final nail in the coffin,” Alexander added. “Two weeks of Sebastian being uncharacteristically quiet about his vacation plans, Harper’s social media going dark, and both of you returning with matching tans? Please.”
The room erupted in laughter. Harper looked around at their friends, these people who’d apparently been watching their relationship unfold with the dedication of documentary filmmakers and wanted to laugh as well.
“So,” she said slowly, “you’re all happy about this?”
“Harper, we’ve been rooting for you two since before you figured it out yourselves. You’re perfect for each other. It’s nauseating.” Ethan scoffed.
“Speak for yourself,” Jules said. “I think it’s rather sweet. Enemies to lovers is such a classic trope.”
“We were never enemies,” Sebastian protested.
“You once told me you’d rather be trapped in a room with a honey badger than deal with her again,” Alexander laughed.
“I was joking!”
“And Harper once wrote that piece calling you ‘an aristocratic peacock with delusions of relevance,’” Emilia added helpfully.
Harper winced. “I was having a bad week.”
“See?” Jules gestured with her wine glass. “Classic enemies to lovers.”
Sebastian squeezed Harper’s hand. “Well. This went differently than expected.”
“Better or worse?” Harper asked.
“Better,” he said without hesitation. “Definitely better.”
Ethan raised his glass. “To Harper and Sebastian, for finally admitting what the rest of us figured out months ago.”
“To not having to pretend we don’t see you making heart eyes at each other,” Jules added.
“To the end of the world’s most obvious secret relationship,” Alexander concluded.
They clinked glasses, and Harper felt the last bit of tension she’d been carrying for months simply… dissolve.
Later, after everyone had gone home and they were cleaning up the detritus of dinner, Sebastian wrapped his arms around Harper from behind as she loaded the dishwasher.
“That was terrifying,” he murmured against her hair.
“That was perfect,” Harper corrected, leaning back against him.
“No more hiding?”
“No more hiding,” she agreed. “Though apparently we were terrible at it anyway.”