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I roll my eyes as Oran laughs.
“Is there a business issue, Wyn?”
Oran told me he’d bought his cousin back to the island to take over the role as the head lawyer on his legal team because he didn’t trust Elmer’s law team to buy him coffee.
He studies Oran for a moment before responding. “Damn, I’ve been gone too long. You know I’d visit outside of business reasons, right?”
Oran shakes his head like he’s trying to reprogram himself. “Yes. Sorry if that sounded cold. I’m not used to visitors.”
Caerwyn flashes those pearly whites again. “Get used to it, but I’m here to hire Karessa. So, a little business is mixed in with this visit.”
&nb
sp; “What can I do for you, counselor?” I’m cheesing from ear to ear because I’ve always wanted to say that to a lawyer.
Oran snorts but accepts the drink I pass to him, then Caerwyn.
“My thirty-fourth birthday party needs a planner. I choose a much simpler route but my uncle,” I don’t miss how loosely he uses the title. “says that a Hale returning to the island’s party should be an affair. I don’t have time for any kind of affair. So…” He pulls a paper and a card. “A check for double your fee since it’s a sizable party and you only have a little over a month to plan it. And my card for the expenses. If you agree, I’ll add you as an approved user in the morning.”
“Wow, that’s a lot of trust you’ve just thrown at me.”
He floats his gaze over to his cousin. “If Oran trusts and loves you then so do I, but not romantically.”
“I’m touched.”
“You will be later,” Oran promises.
I continue as if Oran didn’t just arouse me. “Any preferences or things you hate and want me to avoid?”
“I hate Orange,” Caerwyn tells me but shoots a teasing look at Oran.
“Don’t play with me in my house.” Oran’s tone is amusement laced with a warning.
“I could be late to the party but Oran is very close to Orange? Was that on purpose?” I don’t know why I’d failed to ask him that before.
“Knowing my mother, probably. She loved bright, happy colors. She said my name means light. She also said the color orange represents enthusiasm, happiness, creativity, determination, and success,” he rubs his beard as he thinks. “I think Oran being close to Orange was just a bonus. But, just like her, the color is part of me at this point.”
“Wow. That’s all I needed to confirm.”
We both look at Caerwyn, confused by his statement.
“What did you need to confirm?”
“When I heard about the wedding, I knew Elmer had something to do with it. You two didn’t look happy at the ceremony. Now that I know you are, I need not be mad at Elmer or look for loopholes to ‘free’ you two.” His use of quotation marks pulls his shirt taut and reminds me that Caerwyn grew up spectacularly. “But I know you only talk about your mother to only your most trusted people.”
I know he loves me; he tells me almost daily, but knowing what it means to hear Oran talk about his mother makes me a little emotional. Oran pulls me in for a tight hug and rests his chin on top of my head.
“I appreciate that, Wyn. There’s a lot to be mad at my dad about, but my marriage isn’t one of them.”
Caerwyn polishes off his drink. “I’m thrilled about that. You both deserve it.”
He pulls us into a group hug that sandwiches me between the two giants. His scent is heavenly, and just when I thought a girl could get used to this, he steps back and grabs his keys.
“I’ll leave you love birds to it. Karessa, draw up a plan or proposal - however you do it - and we’ll review…” he looks at his calendar. “How’s this coming Monday?”
“Perfect.”
His light eyes shine with kindness as he refocuses on Oran. “Don’t think you’re off the hook. We will hang out soon.”
