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Kate loved her little family here in Sarah Hastings' house. Sure, Simon was up at all hours of the night watching football or playing a first person shooter game with John on his PS5. He was always willing to give up the big TV for a dumb reality show for Kate and Sophie.
Sure, Sophie tended to sprawl when she was cooking and end up chopping vegetables at the dining room table since all the counters had marinating food. Sophie cooked authentic Korean meals for all five of them, and Kate had never been more satisfied. It was amazing what she could get done when she didn't have to worry about feeding herself.
John was always quiet, and his only flaw was that he left a mess. You could always tell John had been in a room because his jacket would be balled up somewhere or a stack of lab notes would be on the counter. It took him 15 minutes to leave every day because he had to retrace his steps because he had lost his wallet. He was also the best listener in the house and would let Kate ramble about her worries while he nodded and gave a succulent one sentence response.
Michaela tended to have enough girls coming in and out of the house to make up for the rest of them not getting, or in John's case, not wanting, any action. They were also the perfect person to lean on when any sort of disappointment happened. Michaela had a way of making her feel better with a dumb joke and a hug.
Now with the addition of Fran and Ben, their house had even more people coming in and out of it.
Kate didn't mind Daphne. They worked together and were actually friends, not work friends. She didn't mind Benedict because he was head over heels for Sophie and had a very gentle spirit. Francesca was quiet and very sweet, and she was as obsessed with Michaela as Michaela was with her.
Unfortunately, Fran and Ben's appearances in their home brought the oldest brother, Anthony Bridgerton.
Kate had never met a man so hellbent on arguing with her about something. The last time he was at the house, they argued about how to cross a T for 10 minutes.
It's like he relished in getting on her last nerve.
She was sure that he was a kind man. Daphne gushed about him, and sometimes Ben got a look on his face like Anthony hung the moon.
She could tell based on how protective he was of Fran.
For some reason, it was just her.
What crawled up his ass and died?
Kate started her Saturday, groggily brushing her teeth, when Fran showed up in the mirror.
"Oh, hi. Sorry. I didn't know anyone would be awake."
Kate spat out her toothpaste and nodded. "I'm on call."
"Oh. That sucks."
"It's fine. I'm rarely needed, and I'm not the first vet. That's Tom." Kate stepped out of the tiny hall bath so Fran could step in. "Are you spending the weekend with us?"
"If that's okay."
"It's fine. Maybe Michaela will do her chores."
Fran giggled as Kate went to her room and shut her door. Her door opened behind her, and Michaela stuck her head in.
"What are you doing today?"
"Why?"
"Are you free?"
"Why?"
Michaela frowned. "Never mind. I'll ask Simon."
Oh, that was a bad idea. "No. What is it?"
"Fran invited Anthony out with us. Well, Anthony and Colin, but Colin flaked, so he's gonna be third wheeling and…"
"Sophie and Ben?"
Michaela frowned. "I heard giggling from her room."
Kate froze her face to not smirk in glee. Michaela's horror was punishment enough.
"I'm on call."
"Damn."
"I mean, I can go out. I just can't drink. What are you doing?"
"Some Maker's Market thing? I don't know."
"You just let Fran drag you around?"
"Pretty much."
A Sophie giggle echoed in the hallway, and Kate grimaced. The walls were too thin in this house.
"I'll go. Do the boys know Ben is here?"
John's at the lab. Simon has his headphones on."
"Did you text him?"
Michaela smirked. "No."
"Mick."
"It's going to be funny."
Kate shook her head and fought her smile. It would be funny.
"Text him."
"You text him."
Kate huffed. "What time are we leaving?"
"An hour."
"Fine."
"Thanks, Kathani. I'll buy you a coffee."
"Thank you. Text Simon."
Michaela shut her door without answering. She was not going to text Simon.
Neither was Kate.
The Maker's Market (thing) was cute. It wasn't something that Kate would normally do. She didn't really allow herself to coo over artisan goods and such.
She was too busy helping Mary navigate the bills after Appa's death, or making sure Edwina was fed and did her homework. She was too broke during university and veterinarian school.
She had the disposable income now, but…it all felt so frivolous.
Fran and Michaela were two booths ahead, Fran draping scarves on Michaela's shoulders to pick one out while Michaela gave her heart eyes.
Kate was actually in shock at how much mooning was going on in the daytime.
"Have you found anything?"
Kate looked over to see Anthony staring at her. His phone was in his hand, and he was surprisingly not staring at it.
"Nothing yet."
"If you see anything you like, let me know."
"I can afford to buy myself jewelry."
"I know that."
"Then why are you offering to buy me some?"
"Maybe I was trying to be polite?"
"Is that a question? Most people just offer to buy lunch."
"You were looking at that necklace. I figured you wanted it."
"Well, I don't so…stop."
"Fine."
"Fine."
They glared at each other until Michaela and Fran walked over.
"Ant?" Fran asked.
"Is everything okay here?" Michaela looked at her with a Do I need to punch his face.
"I'm fine." Kate sighed. "Sorry."
Anthony grunted while Fran wrapped her arm in his. "Ant, I think I see something Mama would like."
"Where?"
Fran dragged her brother away, and Michaela sighed as she left.
"Sorry," Kate muttered.
"It's fine. It's not a hardship to watch her walk away."
"Don't be skeevy."
"When are you going to hate fuck him?"
Kate swatted her bicep.
"Ow."
"I'm not."
"Okay."
"I don't like Anthony Bridgerton."
"Sure."
"He just walked up and offered to buy me anything I wanted."
Michaela looked intrigued at that. "You think he'd buy me a car?"
"To get you off the bike, yes."
Michaela rolled her eyes. "Just…don't go for the jugular every time you talk."
"What is his deal?"
"Their dad died when he was 19."
Kate's mouth opened a bit. His dad died when he was 19. He's been taking care of his siblings since he was 19. "Oh."
"Yeah. You two actually could swap war stories."
Kate felt a twinge of guilt. If he felt even a fraction of the stress she did after her Appa's death…"I'll be nicer."
"Not too nice. Don't want him to get the idea you're going to fuck."
Kate swatted her stomach and walked away.
"Ow, Kate."
They returned to the house to a scowling Simon.
"No warning?" He looked at Kate.
"Michaela invited me out. I thought you knew."
He turned to Michaela.
"Did you unblock me?"
Simon checked his phone. "Sorry."
"Wait, they were still blocked?" Kate started laughing.
Simon scowled. "Whatever. Soph's having a good time."
"Good for Soph. Now I just need you two to-" Fran thankfully slid her hand over Michaela's mouth.
"My brother is here."
Michaela pushed the hand off her face. "Right. Ant, make yourself at home."
Kate watched Anthony give a jerky nod before gingerly sitting on the sofa. He scooted over and looked at Kate.
"If you want. I don't want to get in the way."
Kate sighed. "You're fine." She sat next to him while Simon looked on from his chair, and Fran and Michaela looked at them from the foyer.
They were all waiting for the bomb to go off.
"What?" they said at the same time.
"Nothing. Nothing. Fran and I are going out to get food."
"Takeaway?" Simon asked.
"Groceries. We're cooking!"
Michaela grabbed the extra helmet and handed it to Fran.
"You can take my car." Anthony offered and handed his car keys to Michaela.
"You drive a Jag?" Michaela gasped before Fran plucked them out of their hand.
"Are you staying for dinner?"
"Do you want me to?" Fran nodded. "Then I will."
She wrapped her brother in a hug. "Thanks, Ant."
"Of course, Frannie. Drive safe."
"I will."
They leave, and Simon stands up, frowning at his phone. "I'll be right back."
He moved to go upstairs before he remembered and turned to go to the back office.
Kate and Anthony sat in silence.
"So," Anthony said.
She looked at him. He looked almost nervous. "Yes?"
"Fran mentioned that you have a sister?"
"Younger. Edwina. She's in India at university."
Anthony nodded. "And your parents?"
"My parents are dead. My stepmother is also in India."
Anthony nodded with a look of understanding. "I'm sorry to hear that. How old were you?"
"Four with my mother. Seventeen with my father. I'm sorry about your loss as well."
"Fran told you about our father?"
"Michaela."
"Fran told her?" He looked thoughtful. "She doesn't talk about him much."
"How old was she?"
"7."
Kate nodded. It had to be hard. "Edwina was 8. It's a strange age to lose a parent."
Anthony nodded. "She has memories, but they are…"
"Hazy."
He smiled at her. "Fran did say you would get it."
"Really? We don't talk much."
"Michaela thinks the world of you all. Especially you and Sophie."
Kate melted at that. "Oh."
"Fran wants to make a good impression."
"She already has. I can tell Michaela is infatuated with her."
"I see…" Kate smiled at his surprise.
"I know. It's never happened. We were waiting for this day. Sophie wants to bake a cake."
Anthony laughed. "I feel the same way about Benedict."
They shared a smile, and Kate was surprised at that.
Anthony Bridgerton wasn't half bad.
Kate's impression of Anthony changed after their little talk about siblings. Then she found out about his list.
This man had a list of what would make a proper wife.
Not a good wife. A proper one.
It took everything for Kate not to yell at the table about the rampant misogyny flowing through his veins. Upon hearing about it, Kate's voice got so icy that Ben quickly changed the subject with wide eyes.
It hadn't spoiled her night, but it had spoiled the peace they had between them.
She came downstairs the next morning with it still rolling around in her head, dressed for brunch with Daphne, to see Sophie and Benedict canoodling in the kitchen.
Kate slammed a cabinet.
"Oops, sorry Kate." Sophie blushed a bit and pushed Ben back.
"It's fine. You're dressed."
"That is true."
Ben frowned. "Has Fran not been dressed?"
Sophie and Kate looked at each other and decided not to answer that.
"What are you up to today?" Sophie asked.
"Brunch with Daphne. You should come."
"Oh." She looked at Ben.
"You should! I can go home or hang out here."
"Simon is at Agatha's, and John is at the lab."
"I'll hang out with Fran and Michaela."
Kate shrugged.
"I'm going to go ask." Ben rushed up the stairs, passing someone.
The stairs creaked and Fran came down yawning in Michaela's It's your Constitutional Right to be a Slut tee shirt and boxers.
"Morning," Fran whispered.
"Good Morning. Are you a slow riser?" Sophie asked.
Fran's closed eye nod made them both smile. "Is there coffee?"
Sophie stepped back, and Fran stumbled through getting herself a cup.
"Kate, Daph invited me to brunch if that's okay."
"It's totally okay. Sophie is coming."
"Oh, good," Fran said and stumbled back upstairs.
"Was she awake?" Sophie asked.
"I'm not sure."
Sophie leaned against the counter and stared at her.
"What?"
"When are you and Anthony going to finish the foreplay?"
Kate thankfully wasn't drinking. "Not you, too."
"Who?"
"Who do you think?"
Sophie nodded. "She's very smart."
Kate rolled her eyes. "Both of you are mistaken."
"Look, I know what you look like when you want to fuck someone."
Kate smirked. "Wanting to fuck him and and fucking him are two different things."
"What's the hesitation?"
"He has a wife list."
"So he's particular. You are, too."
"He's also a pompous jerk."
"That hasn't stopped you before."
Kate shook her head. " No."
"Okay."
Kate had never seen Sophie take her at her 2nd no. It felt weird. "No fight?"
"If you don't want to date Anthony, that's fine."
"What happened to foreplay?"
"What happened to it indeed? It's a lost art, according to Michaela."
Kate grimaced and heard someone thundering down the stairs.
"Michaela said I can stay over!" Ben cheered.
Sophie grinned. "That's great."
Kate wasn't so sure about that one.
Kate thought that she'd be safe from questioning since they were having brunch with Daphne and Fran. Anthony's sisters cared about him, but not to the point of matchmaking.
Or so she thought.
"So, when are you going on a date with Anthony?"
Kate stared at Daphne before looking at Sophie, who was looking at something on Fran's phone.
"I'm sorry?"
"He likes you."
Kate shook her head. Anthony Bridgerton did not like her.
Anthony Bridgerton got a weird, sadistic glee from being antagonistic to her at all times.
"He does not."
"He does. He is freaking out about it. Hence the…" Daphne made a weird hand gesture to symbolize their fighting.
"He's freaking out about liking me so he's pulling my metaphorical pigtails?"
Daphne shrugged. "He never planned on getting married for love after Dad died. It was all duty and what's best for the family."
Fran huffed. "He's stupid, Kate. All of our brothers are. Sorry, Sophie."
"Oh, I know what you mean. Ben's dumb is very cute though."
Kate locked eyes with Daphne. Daphne shook her head.
"So he just closed his heart after your dad died?"
"He didn't want anyone to hurt like Mama did," Fran said and sighed. "I get it, but I would rather have some time with Michaela than none."
Sophie nodded at that, and Kate had to agree. He was closing himself off to avoid pain, and yet still hurting.
"I'm not going to entertain a date with your brother while he's acting like this."
"And you shouldn't," Daphne said. "As I've told him."
"Stupid." Fran pointed out.
"I mean, Kate isn't that smart either," Sophie mumbled, then smiled at her glare.
Fran nodded. "Yes. Michaela has mentioned this."
"They're calling me dumb?" Kate grouched. Michaela Stirling had no room to talk about being dumb.
Fran shrugged. "In this situation, yes." Fran checked her phone. "I think we should get back."
"It's only been two hours." Daphne looked very confused.
"Ben and Michaela are at the house alone," Sophie said.
Daphne jumped up. "Oh, we can go. Let's continue this at yours."
They arrived back at the Hastings' house to see Ben and Michaela joined by Eloise and Anthony playing Mario Kart.
The house didn't look too worse for wear. Simon walked in.
Oh, they had supervision. Good.
"Soph, I'm losing. Why didn't you warn me about Michaela?" Ben pouted.
"Because it's funny to watch people lose to them."
"We should have bet money," Michaela mumbled as she blue-shelled Eloise.
"No. Come on, Mick. You're killing me." Eloise griped.
Kate suddenly got a glimpse of their future with the Bridgertons in the house and didn't know how to feel about it.
She looked over at Simon, who looked at her before glancing at Anthony. "I'm getting a drink."
"Bring me a Coke," Michaela said, eyes on the screen.
"No."
"Please."
Simon sighed. "Fine."
"Thank you. This is the last game."
"You said that 4 games ago," Simon grumbled as Kate followed him into the kitchen.
"What?"
"He interrogated me about you," Simon said.
"Who?"
"Anthony Bridgerton."
"Why?" Kate couldn't even think what Anthony would want to know about her.
Simon frowned. "You know why."
There was a conspiracy going on in this house. "You too?"
"And John."
Kate gasped. Not John.
The back door opened, and John walked in. He looked from Kate to Simon. "What?"
"Do you think Anthony Bridgerton…" Kate leaned in. "Likes me?"
John nodded. "Oh yeah. He's down horrendous."
Kate groaned. Did that mean she needed to actually unpack her feelings?
"Please put the man out of his misery," Simon begged.
"How? Tell him to fuck off?"
"Or kiss him. Whatever you want. Just pick a way to move forward."
Kate looked at John.
"Please."
Kate decided to unpack her feelings about Anthony. Not during work because being distracted could actually kill an animal.
She thought about it as she got ready for bed during her week. As she brushed her hair and moisturized, she could admit that she found him attractive.
That when he was not being a little bitch, he was kind and attentive. That he wasn't not Kate's type.
She just needed him to be sincere. She thought about how she could tell how much Fran liked Michaela based on how close they sat on the couch.
Ben looked at Sophie like she was his guiding light in the world.
The Bridgerton household knew love, according to Daphne, so she needed Anthony to shed the armor, just a bit.
Kate sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror.
She needed to shed hers, too.
The next time she saw Anthony, she smiled at him. "Afternoon."
Anthony looked shocked and gave a shaky smile back. "Hi. Is Ben here?"
"I think they were on their way back." Kate stepped aside and let him into the house.
"Are you off duty this weekend?"
Kate nodded. "I am."
"Any fun plans?"
"I plan on catching up on some dressage competitions I missed. Some cricket."
"You like cricket? And dressage?"
Kate nodded, and she saw Anthony's eyes light up in excitement before he hid it. She wanted to ignore it, but could feel several imaginary glares in her head.
"Do you want to watch?"
"Oh…no. I…I have some matters to discuss with Ben. About the family. Then I need to check in on my mother, grab Greg, and Hyacinth. My youngest two siblings. I try to spend extra time with them since they don't remember..."
Kate nodded. "I get it. Well, I'll be here if you change your mind."
He nodded before looking down at his phone. "I should call him."
Kate stepped away, allowing him some privacy as she scrolled past John's weird weaponry competition show, Michaela's rewatch of Star Trek TNG, and Sophie's Real Housewives to land on her dressage program when she heard a huff.
"What's wrong?"
Anthony looked annoyed in only the way an oldest sibling could. "He's still out with Sophie and said I should stay put."
"I see."
"He's throwing off my entire timetable. I need to go."
He looked hesitant.
"You could bring them back here."
"If you're sure?"
Kate smiled. "I have your other siblings in here all the time. What's two more?"
Anthony gave a relieved smile. "Thank you."
He returned with Greg, who gave her a wave with a grin that reminded her of Anthony's rarely seen one, and Hyacinth, whose sharp eyes reminded her of Anthony's studying gaze.
"Anthony talks about you all the time," Hyacinth said.
She looked at him as he started turning red. "Does he?"
"It's annoying," Greg confirmed.
"Is he talking about how annoying he finds me?"
"No. It's how-"Anthony covered Hyacinth's mouth.
"How about we thank Kate for having us over?"
"Thanks, Kate," Greg said.
Hyacinth pushed her brother away. "Yeah, thanks, Kate."
"No problem. I hope you like cricket."
They nodded and sat on either side of her as she queued up yesterday's match.
Anthony grumbled before sitting next to Hyacinth. They were good match buddies, cheering for her team after quickly figuring out which one she was rooting for. Asking questions about cricket in general, then India, then Kate's parents, and her sister.
Then Hyacinth started asking about being a vet while Greg asked about how she got into horse riding, which Kate was surprised he even knew.
"Ant told me."
Kate looked at Anthony. "Simon mentioned it."
She nodded. Right - the interrogation.
"I don't ride as much as I would like to."
"We have horses. In Kent." Hyacinth offered. "Ant, take Kate to ride horses."
"Oh, you don't…" Kate shook her head.
"I do…if you…I mean, would you like to come and ride a horse? I don't have to take you. Daphne can. Or Benedict. Fran isn't fond of horses."
Kate smiled. The stuttering around was new but better than the alternative of them bickering. "I would love to go with you to Kent. Maybe next weekend."
Anthony grinned. "It's a date."
Was it a date?
Kate didn't think so. Well, she didn't want to hope. She was determined not to let her brain go there.
"It's a date," Sophie confirmed and helped her figure out how to do her hair. Down looked good, but she was riding a horse so low pony?
Simon walked by the door.
"Simon," Sophie ordered.
He stepped into the doorway and looked at Kate. "Low pony."
"I agree. Thank you." Sophie waved him out and pulled Kate's hair back.
"So I'm going on a date. To his country home. To ride horses."
"I know. So rich. One of us can go with you. Ben or Fran has to be free."
"Fran doesn't like horses."
"You say that like she will be riding a horse and not something else."
Kate grimaced. Those two needed to get their own place. "No. We can be alone."
"Can you?"
She looked at Sophie in the mirror. She could. She nodded.
Sophie stepped back. "You look hot."
"Do I?" Kate stood up and looked in the mirror. She had her riding pants on and a white shirt, which would probably end up being a mistake.
Sophie dragged her out of her room and toward Michaela's. She knocked on the door before opening it. Kate instinctively shut her eyes.
"You're fine," Sophie said, and Kate opened them to see Michaela sitting on the floor while Fran braided her hair.
"Michaela. Fran. Tell Kate she looks hot."
"You look hot," Michaela said.
Fran nodded. "Anthony may choke."
Kate felt a blush on her face. "Thanks."
"Don't do anything I won't do." Michaela winked.
"The house should be empty," Fran added.
"Thanks you two," Sophie said and pushed them out of the room. "I give them 6 more months before they move out."
"Can we make it 6 weeks?"
"They've gotten quieter."
"They were in the shower yesterday."
Sophie huffed. "I told them no common spaces. I'll say something."
"Thank you."
Anthony was punctual, and his car was clean. Kate didn't expect anything else, but it was still a point for him. The house in Kent was gorgeous.
"Welcome to Aubrey Hall."
Kate was too busy gawking to say anything. "So you lived out here?"
"Only in the summers. My mother allows people to get married here now."
"I see why. It's grand."
"You should see the gardens."
He took her through the flowers, telling her how his father planted them for his mother and how they all used to take portraits out there as children.
"I can tell the year based on what flowers we are all standing next to," Anthony replied, and Kate had to laugh.
He joined her. "Now that you have had the outside tour, shall I take you to the stars of the show?"
Kate nodded, and he led her to the stables. "We have Nougat and Caramel. They were named by Hyacinth."
"A sweet tooth?"
Anthony groaned. "Yes. Caramel is easy going and should do fine for you."
Kate was already moving to Nougat, who allowed her to pet her nose.
"Well…I guess I will take Caramel." Anthony said with shock before they got the horses ready.
She sat in the saddle and sighed, feeling like herself for the first time in ages.
"You look happy."
"I haven't been on a horse in ages."
"Happy to make it a reality. Shall we start at a trot?"
"You don't want to race?" Kate grinned, and Anthony returned it.
"I won't take it easy on you."
"Good, so when you lose, you won't wonder if you could have tried harder." Kate tapped Nougat's side and took off at a breakneck speed. She heard Anthony right behind her as they raced around the estate.
It was strange as they rode and laughed. Kate felt young.
She wasn't old, but she felt like a little girl. She looked at Anthony, and he had a boyish grin on his face.
They ended up at the edge of a field and allowed the horses to graze and rest as they sat upon them.
"So are you a sore loser?" Kate asked.
"Are you a sore winner?" Anthony replied
Kate shook her head. "That was fun."
"You are always welcome."
"Don't say that. I'll be here every other weekend."
"I'll drive you myself."
They sat on the horses in silence, soaking in the sun, when she heard Anthony make a noise.
"Kate. Be still."
She turned. "What's wrong?" She waved her hand when she saw the bee.
"Don't!"
Kate looked at him. He looked terrified.
"It's fine."
"You didn't get stung?"
"No. I'm alright."
"We should head back."
Kate started at his tone. Anthony sounded like he did when they first met. "It's just a bee."
"It's not just a bee." He snapped without turning around, and Kate moved to catch up to him and Caramel.
"What do you mean?"
"Drop it."
"No. We were having a good time."
"And now it's over."
"Really? So the date's over."
Anthony stopped. "You saw this as a date?"
"You said it's a date."
"I just…I didn't…Oh." Anthony slumped a bit. "I'm sorry. I…My father died of a bee sting."
Kate's heart broke. "Oh. I'm sorry."
"So it's not just a bee."
Kate offered him a sad smile. He returned it. "Are you okay?"
Anthony nodded. "I'm alright."
"I'm glad. So that cranky routine…"
"Cranky?"
"Is that you anxious?"
Anthony sighed and nodded. "My therapist says it comes out as anger."
"So all of that bickering was…"
Anthony blushed. "I apologize."
"Wow, Daphne wasn't wrong."
Anthony groaned. "She didn't."
"She didn't say much."
"You…challenge me."
"You don't get challenged often?"
"No. Most women in the circles I'm in see me as a prize."
Kate snorted. "Wow."
"I know. You're the first woman in a long time to tell me I was an idiot."
"I never said you were an idiot."
"You thought it."
Kate pressed her lips together. She won't deny it. "So you had your panties in a twist because you liked me?"
"I am aware of how immature that is, but if you'd have me…I'd like to show you how much of a gentleman I can be."
"A gentleman?"
Anthony looked confused as to how to answer. "If you want…"
"A gentleman is nice. Just not all the time." Kate kicked Nougat back toward the stables.
"Not all the time?"
"Fran said the house should be empty."
She heard the rapid approach of horse hooves behind her.
They arrived back at the house at five the next morning, and Kate had to keep shushing Anthony. She locked the door behind him.
"I do not want any of them to wake up." Kate hissed.
"Why not?"
"They have been harping on this for weeks."
"You and me?"
Kate nodded. "I don't need the gloating."
Kate led him to the kitchen and turned on the light to find Fran, Michaela, John, Simon, Sophie, and Ben wearing party hats with noise makers.
"Hey!" Ben and Michaela yelled.
"Congrats!" Sophie added and pointed to a cake on the counter. Kate and Anthony looked at it.
It said Congrats on the sex!
"Michaela and Ben picked the phrase," Simon said.
John blew the noisemaker. "We're happy for you. I'm going back to bed." He patted Kate's shoulder and shuffled up the stairs.
"Well…" Anthony started and looked at her.
"Thanks?" Kate added.
"We're very happy for you," Michaela said. "Now, if we can get Simon out there. My mission will be complete."
Simon grimaced.
Kate snapped. "You haven't met Daphne."
"I knew we meant to do something." Sophie gasped.
"Hold on," Anthony said.
"Daph?" Ben hummed.
Michaela nodded. "Yes. Do that. Back to bed?" Fran nodded and pulled her upstairs.
"You're going to sleep, right?" Anthony asked.
Fran looked at him and smiled before going up the stairs.
"They're going to sleep, right?" He asked her. Kate shook her head.
"Breakfast?" she asked her remaining housemates.
"Yes, let me text John," Simon said.
Kate felt an arm around her waist and smiled. Despite the reminder that his sister was having sex, Anthony still seemed relaxed.
Good.