“You’re married?”
“Yes, this is Greyson Adams, my husband.”
Emotion flickers across his features before he returns to his normal and neutral, if not a little hostile, Ice King expression. “I know who he is, and it looks like he has the situation well in hand, but it would be a greater honor than this award,” he waves the certificate in his hand, “to see this man out the door.” His voice is as sharp as an icicle as he grabs Todd’s arm.
My eyebrows lift ever so slightly. Did I hear my father right?
He eyes Princess Papaya, possibly recognizing her from when she did the whole,I object to this union thing, well before the pastor asked, but still. She showed up on my wedding day,dressed to sayI do, and kissed the groom like they were lawfully wedded husband and wife.
“Wait? You know each other?” Grey says, pointing from Todd to Princess.
My father glowers. “Yes, they’re the ones who ruined my daughter’s future. I’ve since made it a point to pay Todd back in kind.”
My lifted eyebrows bump against my forehead, rippling with confusion. “Dad, you’re not upset that I didn’t marry Todd?”
“Not after I found out what he did.”
“How do Toddy and I know each other? We’re in love.” Princess Papaya practically hangs off Todd’s shoulder. I notice her slight Norwegian accent.
“Did you know about this?” Grey asks me.
“Sort of. But I made a connection. A big one. And tonight was supposed to be special because—” I pause all eyes on me and wish I’d arranged a private reunion.
“Princess? Princess Papaya!” the voice of a man who has been lost at sea calls from the entryway, breaking the silence.
Even though I hid while the drama played out at my would-be wedding, I’m having a slight sense of déjà vu.
Princess huffs. “I told you to wait in the car.”
Just then, a tall, tan man wearing an unbuttoned tropical shirt and flip-flops walks into the room. His focus remains on Princess Papaya, then Grey does a very aggressive double-take.
“Bran?”
The man blinks with bewilderment before his gaze lands on his brother.
But the flash of recognition I’d hoped for isn’t there.
I envisioned a happy reunion complete with music and a choreographed song and dance number. Like a musical. Theatrical. But the expression on Grey’s face is more like a tragedy.
37
GREY
My pulse picks up as though I’ve been running the bleachers in the stadium on a cold winter day. I’m hot with anger and cold with confusion.
My gaze remains frozen on my brother. There’s no mistaking his eyes, the same grey as mine. He’s alive, but he doesn’t recognize me.
Everly’s father pumps his hands. “Hang on a moment. Let me make sense of this.” He points at his daughter. “You and Todd were supposed to get married, but you didn’t make it down the aisle because?—”
“Because we’re in love,” Princess repeats, peppering Todd with kisses.
“Babe, not here. I’m doing business,” he says.
“Todd, you’re delusional if you still think you have a chance with Everly, especially if it has anything to do withbusiness. You’re washed up. Time to sail into the sunset, son.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying,” Princess exclaims. “The ship is waiting, babe.”
Bran blinks a few times as if that has meaning for him and as if Princess means something to him.
