Page 52 of Battling Bright
She looked at Reynal, who tossed his milkshake container, and it rotated lightly and ended up in the trash.“Show off.”
“Let me practice my beverage cup butterflies.”
She grinned and heaved herself to her feet.She pulled Reynal up, and he slipped his arm around her waist.They walked to the others, and Krys said, “Peace has been declared...mostly.You can get details from the leader.”
Keel nodded, and he headed to talk to his spouse.Amy was hugging Emmers, and Krys said, “You are off, Emmers?”
“We are on Monday to Thursday, and then we are off until after the wedding.”
She looked at Emmers.“Do you get a plus one?”
“Of course.She and Iris are already coming, and Jerrik is going to be there with the babysitter.”
Amy snorted.“I get to dress up three times in two weeks.Big fortnight for me.Heck, I just got to use the word fortnight.”
Krys chuckled and said, “I am heading home.I have had all the frivolity I can stand for one day.Apparently, the mansion website has gone live.I have to make a spreadsheet.”
Reynal wrapped her in his arms.“And I get to watch.”
Amy blurted out a laugh, Emmers covered his eyes, and Krys was walked back to the limo, where they got into the car.
She looked at him.“So, why did you drag me through all of that today?”
“Well, I figured they had the best chance of survival while you were tired.And I don’t want any family animosity to raise its head while I am seriously courting you.I want the city to be an open space for us.Nothing hiding that can upset you on exposure.”
“Hm.”She scooted to the middle and leaned against him; her hands wrapped around his arm.“Thank you.Getting Normic alone for a meaningful conversation is almost impossible.His people keep jumping in to defend him.I have volunteered to be his enforcer.”
“Interesting hobby.”
“Yeah, well, normally, there is an overhaul when a new leader fights for the clan, but Normic didn’t want to draw more fire than what was already being directed at him.He wants to keep himself and his love safe.That’s fine, but you can’t let others suffer.”
“Right.So, you want to kick butt and take names?”
“Naw.I know their names.”She relaxed against him.
“Don’t fall asleep.We need to set up that spreadsheet.”
“Meanie.”She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder.
“So, back to your place, and I will help you set up and share that file so we can keep track of how much you are charging for your efforts.Honestly, how much would you have charged for your services?”
“Twelve thousand for that rush job.Five thousand if I had a month’s notice.Three thousand if I had three months’ notice.”
“Why the difference?”
“The amount of rushing, checking, double-checking, finding equipment and chairs that were not already rented.That was a full day of calls by itself.I had to flirt with the freaking florist, and we went out for two coffee dates to make her girlfriend jealous.”
“You are gay?”
“Nope.Just willing to go to coffee with a friend.Yes, she’s a friend; we took college business courses together.”She chuckled.“She and her girlfriend are candidates for the mansion, I think.”
“How do you think?”
“Well, her girlfriend pulled me to my feet, hugged me, and we started talking about the new herbarium at the zoo.”
He chuckled.“You knew her.”
“I did.Recognized the name when Mora mentioned it.Alita is fun.She’s all about the aromatics, and she supplies fresh herbs to my catering company.”She chuckled.
