“Hey,” I greeted Asylum. “I thought you couldn’t make it.”
“My cousin and former lover are to be wed. Of course I’d shift my schedule around for it.” Asylum’s blue eyes sparkled.
“God, stop calling me that,” Rosalie muttered, hugging him.
“Kiss for old time’s sake?”
She sighed and kissed his cheek.
“Not where I wanted your mouth, but that’s fine. We have some time left.”
I shook my head at him. He was off his rocker.
Rosalie went to Sirena and hugged her next.
“Gosh, I’m so excited for you,” Rosalie said. “A baby!”
Sirena grinned at her and signed back.
“Congratulations. This is a really pretty venue. It’s one of my favorite places.”
Rosalie bounced excitedly. “I know! Gosh, I just love the way they decorated. Gail has been so amazing. Bianca is supposed to be here. Have you seen her?”
Sirena shook her head.
“Let’s go look for her.” Rosalie tugged on Sirena, and she went, twining her arm with Rosalie’s, both smiling.
We watched them go, disappearing out of the private area. Before I could say anything, Ellis ran to us.
“Unkie Dunkie!”
“Hey, peanut butter!” He scooped her up and planted a kiss on her cheek. “How’s my prima ballerina?”
“Good! Where’s Aunt Weena?”
“Weena went with Mommy,” Dante said, fixing Ellis’s dress.
“Sorry,” Trix apologized, coming up to us. “She saw Unkie Dunkie and practically caught on fire to get here.”
“That’s because she knows I’m the best uncle,” Dante said.
“Hey, man. Ellis, look,” Malachi said, showing her his hat. “It’s sparkly.”
“She’s not a raccoon,” Asylum snickered. “Just because it’s shiny doesn’t mean she’ll love it.”
“I love it!” Ellis giggled.
“Well, fuck me running. She’s a damn raccoon,” Asylum muttered.
“Hey there,” Cas said, joining us. He zeroed in on Asylum. “Damn, bro. You have some intense eyes.”
Asylum smirked at him. “And you have…” Asylum waved his hand around Cas, who wasn’t wearing a shirt but had one painted on him. “Fucking charisma. I like this. Who painted this on you?”
“Me. Business in the front, party in the back.” He turned to show us that the back wasn’t painted. “I couldn’t reach.”
“I’ll paint it for you if you paint me,” Asylum said, his eyes lighting up.
Cas’s eyes skirted over Asylum. “I could help with that.”
