I scoffed.
Was he admiring my fianc?e? Yes.
Was I offended? Fuck, no.
In fact, I wished he’d take his admiration for June seriously, I’d buy him a suit for the wedding myself.
“You know you can have her, right?” I mused, plucking a short from my closet and shrugging it on. “Never fucked her. So, she’s still untouched by your best friend. Nothing to worry about.”
Norlan exhaled a soft laugh, shaking his head. “That’s hilarious.”
That was all he said. Nothing else.
Interesting
“Come on.” I gestured toward the door. “Let’s go to the living room. I’ll get you a drink.”
Norlan and I had a lot of catching up to do, and the three hours we spent eating, drinking, and talking still wasn’t enough.
There were no distractions. Mom and her husband had fucked off to some function and wouldn’t be back till later tonight-good. I couldn’t be more thankful.
Norlan leaned back in his chair, glass dangling between his fingers as he shot me a knowing smirk. “So, where is she? Can’t I get to say hello?”
I took a slow sip of my whiskey before replying, letting the burn settle before answering.
“She’s a bit occupied at the moment, Norlan. But I’d see to that you say lil before leaving,” I replied.
I didn’t want to bother Kasmine. She must be resting like Ild her to. But this is Norlan. He wasn’t just anybody. he was my brother in all but blood. I’ll get her to come and say hi before he leaves.
The mood kept getting lighter as we laughed at a series of ally jokes and taunts until about 3 PM when we heard a knock on the front door.
“Expecting someone else?” Norlan asked mid-laugh, and hook my head and set my glass down.
“I’ll check it out.” I stood up and walked to the door, hoping it wasn’t pack matters as usual. I could use some mental rest.
But by the time I opened the door, I instantly wished it was back matters. Because the person standing by the door was more tedious than any matter I would have had to handle.
“Hello, Kester. Thought I should stop by.”
KESTER
Aslow, simmering heat crawled under my skin, spreading ke mol it was something darker, something razor-sharp and corrosive.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” iron through my veins. It wasn’t just anger
The words came out low and controlled, but there was no mistaking the venom dripping from each syllable.
Yet, there she stood, smiling like an alrheaded debutante who hadn’t yet figured out she was walking straight into a lion’s den because she still wore that stupid smile on her face.
“I am having trouble picking out the perfect color combinations for the engagement party, baby,” she replied, letting out a breath of exhaustion. Her shoulders sagged for dramatic effect as though she carried the weight of the gods on her back.
Baby?
My jaw twitched.
She now calls me that?
If only she could see anything past the bridge of her nose, she’d realize she had no fucking business being this excited about any of this.
“Aren’t you going to let me in?”
Before I could answer, she breezed past me, her perfume invading my space like an unwelcome guest overstaying their welcome. “You won’t believe how hot it is out there! Jeez!” She breathed in some fresh air.
Then she stopped short.
Her body stiffened, and I watched-half-amused, half-irritated-as her eyes locked onto Norlan.
“Oh,” she murmured, hesitating for a fraction of a second before she smoothed out her expression. “Didn’t know you had company.” Her gaze flicked back to me before landing on Norlan again. “Hello, Norlan.”
June perched herself on the armrest of the couch, crossing one leg over the other like this was some cozy little planning session and not a violation of my patience.
“she started, flipping her hair over one shoulder. “How many guests are we expecting?”
I didn’t answer.
Norlan did when he sensed I wouldn’t say a word to her. And I wasn’t surprised.
“Around two hundred, I suppose,” he said casually, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Unless Kester’s got a secret list of enemies he plans to invite just for the drama.”
I shot him a glare. He grinned.
-June, oblivious as ever, clapped her hands together. “Perfect! That means we’ll need to finalize the seating arrangements soon.” leaned back against the couch, silently watching
Watching how she acted like this was normal. Like this wasn’t a goddamn circus she was organizing with me as the unwilling clown.
Watching how Norlan’s eyes kept drifting to her, the way they had bark in college.
He wasn’t even subtle about it.
Not that I cared.
If anything, I almost wanted to throw her in his direction. Bell, I’d even pay for their first date.
“What about colors? I was thinking something elegant maybe a mix of silver and navy? Or do you think something warmer, like champagne and blush?”
Again, silence from me.
And again, Norlan stepped in.
“I’d say navy and silver suit you,” he mused, tilting his head as he studied her. “Classy, a little bold, but not too over the top. Fits the image you like to project.”
She beamed as if that was the best compliment she’d received all year.
“And my dress?” She turned to me, expectant. “Should I go with something traditional, or should I-“
“Notlan,” I cut in, “since you’re so invested, why don’t you help her pick out the goddamn dress too?”
Norlan chuckled, unbothered. “You’re really making me work for this free whiskey, huh?”
June let out a light laugh.
The way she prattled on, the way she didn’t notice-or didn’t care-that my silence was anything but passive made my blood itch under my skin.
And Norlan, the bastard, was clearly enjoying himself.
“Where is Kasmine?” She asked, and my muscles went taut… I leveled my gaze at her. “Sleeping. Don’t bother her.”
“Oh. Right. She must be exhausted.” She replied before going back to her Tab and typing away.
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