Page 39 of Lunar Diamonds
“I’ve already received the big Aurora reveal speech,” he cut me off. “But seeing your face makes it real, you know?”
I nodded, saying nothing.
It’s too real.
Erin promised us tea, heat, and booze from the doorway. The Bramble siblings joined in, insisting we get out of the cold.
Those collective pleas finally moved us into a huge entrance hall.
Terracotta-and-gold décor greeted me, along with a delicious warmth, wrapping itself around me like a blanket. My shoes clicked on a glossy wooden floor, a large staircase directly ahead leading up to a mezzanine.
Various paintings of the moon, sun, and star constellations adorned the walls, their golden frames glittering under the light of ornate chandeliers.
Neither Isaac nor I said anything. Alice and Aaron moved past us, heading down a long corridor to the left of the stairs.
“See you soon,” Alice called back. “Along with the cargo.”
The front door closed, cutting off the howl of the wind and the roaring of the waves.
What would happen to Drake? I heard the faint starting of an engine, and then nothing but the wind trying to break the doors down.
Wow. It really started picking up.
Brother. Moon. Aurora,whispered my brain.
Yeah, yeah. Like I don’t know!
“Follow me.” Erin led us toward an open door, leading us into a large living room with the same terracotta-and-gold décor, more of those celestial paintings, and an open fireplace.
I took a moment to drink it in, examining the closed drapes, the pine furniture, and the three large terracotta sofas positioned around a coffee table close to the fire.
Despite the heat, I shivered, agitation crawling across my skin. I wanted out, to make a run for it and forget this night. Get to my bed, dive under the covers. Never leave the flat again.
Isaac’s voice broke my spiral. “I’m thinking champagne would go down a treat.”
“Of course,” Erin said again. “We have a vast selection of champagnes in our wine cellar.”
“Moët?”
“I’ll have a bottle brought up.”
I blinked, looking over to the supermodel’s perfect posture, his expression indifferent yet handsome.
Did we really have the same color eyes? Both blue, yes, but his were bluer. Right? Bright and vibrant and…just like mine.
I scrutinized him further, discovering elements of a similar bone structure.
The weight of this bore down on me, bringing my inspection to a close. I bit down on my lip, drawing a circle on my left palm like my therapist taught me. The repetitive, tickly motion calmed my nerves, anchoring me in the moment. I used it whenever I felt like I was about to be pitched into the worst type of meltdown.
Isaac’s whole demeanor brightened. He clapped with glee, facing me with a mega-watt grin. “What do you say?”
I stopped drawing the circle. “Can I have tea, please?”
“For real?” Isaac countered.
Erin nodded and called, “Ollie?”
A man with tightly cropped brown hair entered the living room, tall enough to have to duck under the doorframe. His arrival drew a gasp from Isaac.
