“You did forget!”
The pitch of Nathan’s voice made it difficult to determine if he was delighted or scandalized by that knowledge.
His gaze swung toward Connor. “Don’t tell me you did too.”
The deer in headlights expression on his face made Nathan let out a mocking laugh.
“Thomas must be going crazy by now.” Nathan shook his finger at the two of us. “I’m surprised he hasn’t been blowing up your phones demanding to know where you are.”
The guilty expression on both our faces gave us away.
Nathan’s eyes widened before he snickered. “No wonder I was sent.”
Oh. I think I remembered now.
“The quarterly meet and greet,” I whispered. “That’s tonight?”
Nathan snapped his fingers and pointed at me. “Got it in one.”
Connor and I shared similar looks of dread.
“I forgot,” I whispered. Connor too, it seemed.
In establishing our own House, we, because there was no way I was venturing into that shark tank alone, were required to attend formal functions as part of our new roles. I was the House head and Connor was my right hand.
The meet and greet tonight was a quarterly meeting for the Clans and Houses in the city and nearby areas. Our presence was expected—and required.
Thomas had told me several weeks ago, but I’d promptly put it out of my mind.
“That is clear,” Nathan drawled, his gaze shifting toward my dad as he joined us outside.
“Who’s this?” Dad asked.
I glared at Nathan. He’d better be on his best behavior around my family. I might not be able to make him physically regret crossing me, but I bet Connor could.
“He seems to be Aileen’s friend,” Jenna volunteered, acting less than certain as she picked up on my tension.
“Actually, I’m her boss.”
I blew a raspberry. “As if. More like a minion.”
Nathan held his hands to his chest in mock hurt. “Is that how you see me after all this time?”
“Keep going. See how much further I can reduce your status.”
Knowing I’d do exactly as I said, Nathan cut his losses, instead focusing on my niece. “Are you the little ballerina I’ve heard so much about?”
Linda blinked up at him in surprise. “How did you know?”
“One ballet aficionado recognizes the next.”
“Really?”
Linda’s face lit up at the prospect of someone else, an adult no less, sharing her favorite hobby.
In answer, Nathan executed an embôité before transitioning into a pirouette that had Linda clapping.
She bounced forward on her toes. “You’re so good.”
