Iawwww’dobediently.
I’d heard similar sentiments a hundred times over the years, but it really was sweet to see how much my sister was in love with her fiancé. I’d met the guy, of course, and even before then, I’d known who he was: the reclusive owner of Vengeance, Inc—now Radiance, Inc—was a mystery the media had loved to talk about. Now that I knew him in person, I saw that most of the rumors were false. Hewasscarred and brutal when it came to getting what he wanted, but he was also smart and deeply devoted to my sister, so how could I not like him?
So I flipped modes—and pages—and started to list everything we needed decisions on by Christmas, making sure Riven was fine with me choosing for her. She was remarkably chill—easily the best bride I’d ever worked with—and I was confident I could put together something she’d be happy with?—
“Here’s your cocoa, honey,” Alice announced, bustling up. “Sorry, we got busy, so this one’s on the house. You want anything?” she asked Riven, as I objected.
“You don’t have to do that, Alice?—”
“Oh, just enjoy theMistletoe Mistake,” Alice scolded, then waved as she hurried off.
“Mistletoe mistake?” Riven asked as I studied the drink. The glass mug showed off the deep red swirls, and the white whipped cream was sprinkled with crushed peppermint. I had to admit itlookedfestive. I took a sip.
“Oh!” My brows rose in surprised delight. “Thisdoeswork.”
Riven made agive it heregesture as she leaned across the table. I obediently passed her my drink, and she tasted it.
“Oh wow!” Her eyes sparkled. “Cherry and…mint? I wouldn’t have put them together in a hot chocolate, but it works.”
“Itdefinitelyworks. Give it back.”
She was chuckling as she pushed the mug across the table, but her laughter turned to a greeting. I followed her gaze…and my breathing stopped.
It washim.
The well-dressed orc I’d dropped a tree on top of—he was wearing another polo shirt that stretched across his chest, did he not know it was December?—was strolling toward us. When he met my eyes, I saw his grin grow and felt my cheeks—and maybe something lower—heating in response.
“Sylvik!” Riven stood up, nudged him toward her bench, then slid in beside him. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course,” he murmured, but his gaze hadn’t left mine.
“Brooke, this is Sylvik, Abydos’sincrediblycompetent and organized assistant. He basically keeps us all in line. Sylvik, this is my sister, Brooke Starr.”
When he murmured, “Delighted,” I was certain I couldfeelthat low rumble in my core.
As for me, I managed to croak, “Hi,” as if I hadn’t humiliated myself in front of him only the other day. As if I hadn’t thought of him at least once an hour since then.
Riven gestured proudly to me. “Brooke has a hot-shot wedding planning business out in L.A. She’s taking a little break here on Eastshore to plan our wedding.”
Sylvik’s gaze was strangely intense as he settled across from me. “So you’ll be returning to the west coast in the new year?”
Um. Would I? “I-I haven’t decided yet.” I didn’t exactly have a company to return to, but Ididhave dozens of contacts and connections, so I could start up another company.
Without Ethan.
“Well.” Sylvik’s smile was polite but there was disappointment in his eyes. “It would be a shame for Eastshore to lose you, but I’m glad to have met you for the holidays.”
Before I could think of a way to respond tothat, my sister stacked her hands on the table and leaned forward, drawing both of us in.
“Okay, so. I’ve asked Sylvik to help you, Brooke.”
Slowly, my eyes widened in horror, remembering what she’d said about howorganizedandcompetentSylvik was. I glanced between them—her hopeful look, his neutral one—and my heart sank.
“I can do this,” I told her numbly, all the old fears and inadequacies hitting me again. “I can be organized.”
But in the back of my mind, Ethan was rolling his eyes.Why are you so scatterbrained?
My little sister reached across the table to clasp my hand. “Brooke, I know you can. I didn’t mean it like that.”
