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Chapter Four
Three Months Later
Imala
I thought we had a moment. I was sure by the way Caerwyn looked at me when I arrived that he would come over to me, but it never happened. We orbited each other when we rejoined the party, but the heat was gone. His serious face is a lot like Oran’s. Game over.
I’d wondered if I played too hard to get, but I later found out about Elmer’s passing. He must have just gotten the news. Elmer’s death brought almost every Hale known to man back to the island including Caerwyn’s asshole brother. That dude makes Oran look like the fuzziest teddy bear ever stuffed. He walked his big mean English ass in the funeral and asked why peopl
e were crying since no one liked Elmer. Berke is equal parts sexy and mean which is a terrible, terrible combination.
At the repass, I’d asked him about the tattoo peeking out near his chest and he told me not to bloody worry about it unless I planned to put my pretty little mouth on it or trace it with my tongue. It’s weird having someone with such a posh accent say such horrible things to people. When Oran jumped up like he was going to beat his ass, Berke winked at him and kept eating. The only thing kept them from tearing up the Hale mansion was Jagger and Karessa taking Oran in the opposite direction.
The extra Hales left the weekend after the funeral but Oran was pissed when Berke and his bad behavior made the front page of Prizm by way of a photo of him shooting both middle fingers as he boarded the jet. Everything was relatively quiet after that, including Wyn.
What gives?
My eyes are glossing over as I continue to stare at the computer screen. The hum of the CPU and the air conditioning is the only sound in the bank. My dad is approaching, I can tell by the cadence of his shoes tapping against the tile.
“That’s enough Ima, your mother will kill me if she thinks I’m working you to death. There’s nothing on that computer that can’t wait.” He kisses the top of my head.
He’s always been a loving father, but he’s even more so since his greatest parenting debacle. I know he counts his lucky stars that Karessa is stupid in love with Oran, otherwise it would make for damn awkward holidays.
I rub my neck, it’s awfully stiff since I zoned out and forgot about proper posture. I guess he’s right. I shrug off my hunter green throw and fold it as I stand. Turning, I put it in my seat.
“Okay, Dad. You win this round, sir,” I joke, as if we’re playing cards.
His brown eyes shine with adoration. “Baby, you’re young. You don’t want to go out and date or just have fun?”
“What, you don’t have someone up your sleeve for me?” I tease him, as I pack my things.
He holds up his hands and laughs. “Low blow sweetheart. And no. I’m out of the arrangement business. It’s not for the faint of heart. I think I gave both Karessa and myself an ulcer. My matchmaker days are over. You’re on your own, kid.”
The night air is kind of brisk but not cool enough to make me want to pull out a jacket. My dad throws his arm around my shoulder and guides me to my chair. The island is fairly safe, especially with the citizens knowing that messing with a founding family member will earn them the harshest penalties possible. Still, our parents remain in protective mode.
“Call your mother and let her know when you make it home,” he reminds me, as he climbs into his vehicle.
“Will do, Daddy,” I promise him.
My email pings with a notice I’ve been anticipating. My favorite brick and mortar store, Bookish, has finally secured the first edition of Ahari’s Quest in stock. I release an excited fist pump then check the clock. It’s 8:12 and it closes at nine. I can make it if I focus. Hightailing it to the other side of town, I make it with a little over fifteen minutes to spare.
Equally excited, Howard nods at me as he waves my new treasure around.
“My favorite customer made it just in time!” he gushes, as his blond mane flies wildly around his head.
He’s older and eccentric. I love him to pieces.
“Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie!” I squeal and wiggle my fingers at him. He places the leather-bound book in my hands, and I wonder if this is how a mother feels holding her child for the first time.
“Don’t you love the scent of history?”
I nod happily as my eyes connect with his soft brown ones. “Ring me up!”
We chat as we finish the transaction and I’m off with promises to come earlier to hang out just in time for him to close.
My sandals tap on the sidewalk as I make the block to my car. I’m so lost in my thoughts that I almost run into a man loitering on the sidewalk.
“Excuse me,” I offer with a polite smile, but he doesn’t move.
