“Okay. I’ll give you that.”
“So does that mean you’re a phallusphile?”
I stopped walking. “The answer is yes.”
His head lurched back. “To being a dick lover?”
I giggled at how silly we’d become. It was what we always did, even as kids, play these stupid word games.
“That. But also, yes, to marrying you.”
We exchanged a smile and kissed while massaged by a soft, undulating breeze.
Chapter 36
Ethan
Declanwaitedformein the lobby of Lovechilde Holdings. The last time we’d attended a board meeting was when our father was alive.
A woman in a power suit charged along, reading her phone, and I stepped aside to avoid a collision.
“This should be a fun affair,” I said.
“You’re telling me.” He rubbed his neck. “I asked Will to meet us before the others were due.”
“By ‘others’ you mean our mother and the solicitor? What about Savvie?”
“I believe she’ll be here. I just wanted us to meet Will alone, without Savvie, who’s likely to get all emotional.”
“Can’t say I blame her. I won’t be giving him a chummy slap on the back.”
Declan’s tight smile faded. “I got a call from the police.” He spoke quietly. The bare lobby with its hard surfaces acted as an echo chamber. “The last man to see our father alive has come forward.”
We stepped out of the way of a team of executives lost in conversation.
“Why don’t we step outside for a minute.” He inclined his head towards the pavement.
As the rotating door shunted us outside, Will arrived with Bethany. I had to look twice. Dressed in a green fitted dress, she resembled a younger version of our mother, especially with her hair scooped up in a bun, and wearing the exact spiked heels our mother wore.
I shot Declan a quizzing look.
“What’s she doing here?” Declan’s frosty tone beat me to it.
I couldn’t believe the cheek of my late father’s apparently loyal partner.
“It’s her business too. She’s your half-sister,” Will said. “And soon to be my wife.”
An assertive, sharp edge replaced his usual quiet, understated tone.
Who is this man?
Declan pointed at a small café. “Let’s go there and talk.”
Will frowned. “Aren’t we meeting with Caroline in the board room?”
“They’re not arriving for another hour. I wanted to see you first,” Declan said.
Will regarded Bethany, who I imagined called the shots. Just like our mother. Only our mother wasn’t evil.