“Push and glide.” I giggle.
“So, your dad pushes, and glides… directly into the barrier. The crash was so loud I swear the whole place went silent.” Savvy is laughing so hard she’s wiping at her eyes.
“Your dad just lies there for half a second, dignity in shambles, then sits up and announces that ‘the ice is uneven’. We were crying laughing.”
“Oh, that must have been so embarrassing.”
“Yes, safe to say, he did not impress the girl.” Savvy takes a deep breath while still laughing.
“For weeks afterward, people would ask him if the floors were uneven.”
“That's freaking hilarious.” My cheeks hurt from smiling.
“It really is.” Savvy stands up and offers me a hand. “That’s my one Lucian story for the day. Let’s get back to it.” She helps me up.
“If he ever asks, tell him Max told you all these, okay?” She winks.
9 TRUTH OF THE HEIR
The next day, as I’m walking through the house, I hear laughter floating through the halls.
I follow the sound and find Lucian and Savvy sitting with three other men.
“Gracie, come in! I want you to meet my friends!” Lucian waves me in.
“Hi, Isobel.” Savvy smiles.
“Hi.” I give them a small smile. Part of me wants to turn and run back out of the room with all the eyes on me.
“This is Max, Preston, and Derek.”
Max is tall with chestnut hair and gentle brown eyes. He gives me an easy smile and a wave. “Nice to meet you, Isobel. It’s crazy to see you all grown up.”
Preston gives me a serious but polite nod. “Hello.” His voice is deep, his locs are pulled away from his face in a low ponytail.
Derek gives me a big smile. “You look so much like Lucian.” His dark hair is styled neatly.
“Come and sit with me.” Savvy pats the seat beside her and I follow.
“Nice to meet you all,” I say and turn to look at Lucian. He’s relaxed in his seat with a big smile on his face.
“So,” Max says, leaning forward before anyone else can speak, his grin widening. “You’re the legendary Gracie. I feel a little cheated. Lucian made it sound like you’d be taller.”
Lucian scoffs. “Ignore him.”
Max only laughs. “I’m kidding. You’ve got his eyes, though. Lucky girl.”
I blink, unsure how to respond, but Derek chuckles.
“He’s been jealous of Lucian’s eyes since we were kids.” Derek adds smoothly. “Man has no filter. You can ignore him most of the time.” He shoots a look at Max, whose mouth has dropped open.
“You take that back!” Max says.
“No.” Derek replies.
Max tackles Derek and laugh as they wrestle. Preston moves aside, his eyes smiling but never fully laughing.
Savvy gives me a warm smile, I must be failing to hide the tension. “The boys were just reminiscing about their glory days at Blackmoore.”
