“So, how’s everything going at work, Lucy?” Hadley asks with suspicion oozing from her voice.
“Fine.” Her tone is sour. She shoves the bread in her mouth and chews.
“Elaborate,” I suggest. “I heard there is a bothersome boss. Do I need to use my influence to remove him from your life?”
At that, Lucy giggles. “Ha, no. It’s all good. He is bothersome, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Thank you, though, King-in-Law.”
“King-in-law?” Hadley spurts a laugh. “That’s a title.”
“I quite like it,” I say, winking at Lucy.
Lucy nods in agreement and then sighs. “My boss, Mr. Harper, has taken to asking me out. It hasn’t become too frequent, but since we danced together back in February, he’s asked me out at least twice a month. He is now asking me out for dinners instead of just lunches.”
“Isn’t that workplace harassment?” Lorelei asks. “I can take care of that. My former boss is not only a lawyer but is also the mayor of Juniper Grove.”
“No, it’s nothing like that!” Lucy spews. She continues talking quickly and with her hands, which both contain halves of her buttered roll. “It’s just that I know he’s a player. He has had manywomen on his arm in the time I’ve worked here. He isn’t mean or rude or oversteps boundaries. He’s just persistent and a natural flirt. I’m a game to him.”
“You sure?” Braxton asks. “‘Cause I could handle him for you.”
“I second that,” Hadley jumps in.
Lucy laughs and waves them off. “No, guys. Really. He’s a good guy. Very giving of his time and money when it comes to the community. He’s just a ladies’ man. That’s all.”
“Well, you have support, Lucy. You’re not alone. Even in Korsa, we will have your back,” I state.
“Thanks, guys,” Lucy says, taking a sip of water.
The rest of the dinner flows smoothly with conversation alternating between sentimental, humorous, and the random interjections of Lorelei’s facts when something interesting comes up. I will truly miss these people.
They made a home for me in such a short time.
But one look at Lorelei reminds me that wherever she is will be my permanent home.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lorelei
One more sweep. If I do one more sweep of the apartment then I will have finally convinced myself that I am not forgetting anything.
“I don’t make a habit of telling you to calm down in the midst of your frenzies, but Lorelei, chill out. I will ship you anything you forget if you will just sit down for two seconds.”
Ignoring my twin wholeheartedly, I open the entertainment center and look inside before moving back into the kitchen. Most things happen to be staying here because Lucy will still live here, and well, I’m moving into an actual castle.
It’s sufficient to say she needs pots and pans more than I do.
But I don’t want to forget little things that bring me comfort and will remind me of home such as the pot holders with plants on them. Will I need them? No. But I will catch sight of them and will remember this little apartment and my sister, and I will probably cry, but I will also smile.
“See.” I hold up the pot holders. “I would have forgotten these.”
Lucy’s face falls blank as she deadpans, “Because heaven forbid you don’t have pot holders at Stjarna Palace.”
“You gave them to me. They are special. I will think of you when I see them.”
Her face softens and she drops her folded arms to her side. She walks to the couch then plops down. “Come sit down, Lorelei.”
Taking a deep breath, I do as she asks. I really do need to calm down. The moment my butt hits the dark brown cushion, Lucy scoots over and embraces me in a hug. “I’m going to miss you so much.” She sniffles, and I wiggle into a position where I can wrap my arms around her.
“I’m going to miss you, too, baby sister.”
