Page 154 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
We’re silent as we follow them to the restroom. I can’t believe they’re getting changed in there. The germs will be everywhere.
“Treat her right.”
I slowly turn my head to find Elijah standing too close for comfort.
“I’m not the one you should be directing that statement to.”
“Listen, I don’t want to have an issue with you, Thane. My sister appears to be happy, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted, but she also deserves to be treated like a queen. Do you plan to do that?”
I shake my head at his stupid audacity. “I already do.”
He claps me on the shoulder in that annoying way men do when they think they’re buddies. I loathe it.
“Then congrats, man. And great job with the parental figures in your lives.”
He’s talking about my father and his.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Sebastian’s laugh sounds like a barking dog. Perhaps he and Rowan are perfect for each other after all.
“Sure, you don’t,” Sebastian says. “Anyway, I’m happy for you too. And I’m beyond impressed with what you’ve done with the Fitzgerald Group. I thought for sure you’d swallow it into Wilder Minds though.”
“Why would I do that? It’s your kids’ legacy. We talked about this.”
Why does everyone have to talk everything to death?
“Yeah, I know. I just…I don’t know. I suppose I envisioned something different. You’re making a lot of money for a lot of people when you could be doing it under your own umbrella.”
I wave him off. “I’m not my father. I don’t need the recognition or the money. All I care about is that Charlotte’s IP is used correctly for the betterment of all.”
Both men are silent. I secretly hope they walked away, but once quick glance tells me that’s not the case.
“You’re a good man, Thane.” Sebastian’s tone is different than before, but I don’t know him well enough to understand his meaning.
“Thank you.”
“Your sister and my sister are lucky to have you,” Elijah can’t help but chime in. What would be an acceptable amount of time before I send them all home?
I’m saved from having to answer him when Kara steps out in a simple purple dress that floats around her knees. She twirls in place, and it shimmers in the light.
It’s perfect.
“You’re absolutely beautiful, Kara.”
“I know. Isn’t it amazing?”
I roll my eyes. It’s happening more frequently, especially as Boone gets closer to finishing our new home. He’s been killing me with design questions.
“I believe the correct answer is thank you,” I say.
She grins widely at me. “Wait until you see Lottie. The Scuttlebutts are going to be pissed they missed this.”
Inwardly, I groan at her choice of words, but she’s gotten so much better and rarely curses anymore, so I let it go.
Rowan exits next, wearing a similar frock to the one Kara has on, but it doesn’t look half as good as it does on Kara.
“Why are you copying Kara’s dress?”
