Page 65 of Seduced By the Mermen
“Right. Absolutely. What do you think of this tunic?”
“It suits you.” He pivots back to the kitchen with the basket.
“It doesn’t make me look old?”
“You are old. So am I. A tunic doesn’t change that, Forrest.”
“Right.”
Grayson stops by the kitchen door. “Is Sterling coming to dinner?”
“I have no idea. But he does like to eat, so hopefully.”
Grayson holds the basket to his chest. “I’ll find something else to give her. Alexei told me I couldn’t give her a ring.”
“Why not?”
“Apparently it means we’re mated if she wears it.”
“That’s crazy.”
“That’s what I told him. My cousin in Zaffiro showed me a nice diamond and emerald ring.”
“You bought it?”
“Of course. But Alexei’s confident we can’t give it to her.”
“Yes, well, he’s pulling for the Koralli to date Blair.” I laugh. Because we’re never going to let him forget it. But hopefully it will be funny in five years when we’re celebrating our mating anniversary with Blair.
“You think she’s going to pick us?”
“We’ve got a head start on the others.” Grayson steps to the side of the kitchen door as one of the chefs pokes his head out.
“Have you seen Rodgers?” the chef asks.
“No. Can you get— Would you like to give this to your mate, Vito? It’s fertility tea,” Grayson says.
“Yes, thank you.” The chef takes the basket and cocks his head at us. “If you see Rodgers, tell him we’re looking for him.”
“Is everything okay?” Grayson asks. “Anything we can do to help?”
“You.” His smile widens. “No. Is Clark home yet?”
“No. But I’m not afraid of getting my hands dirty in the kitchen,” Grayson says.
“I don’t think it’s your hands he’s afraid of you getting dirty, Grayson.”
The chef inclines his head and turns back to the kitchen. I peek into the space before the door swings shut again. But nothing is on fire, and nothing smells burnt. There’s more noise than normal coming from the kitchen. One voice rings above the others.
“Alexei,” I say, pushing into the kitchen. “What are you doing in here?”
“I’m just making sure we have a few things that Blair will like.” He’s standing next to another chef. I raise my eyebrows atVito. “Alexei, I think we should find Rodgers and see what he has planned.”
Vito inclines his head at me, a smile on his lips. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“Right. Are you sure you don’t want my help?” Alexei asks.
The two chefs’ and their assistants’ voices ring as one. “Yes.”
