ALAYNA“Siblings?” Ms. Lennie’s eyes widen. “I didn’t you know you had more siblings, Alayna.”
“Well, they’re technically foster siblings,” I tell her. “We were childhood friends back in Lawrence before their parents passed.”
“Ms. Lennie, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Jason holds her hand and kisses her knuckles. Arianna waves at her. There are really things that don’t change: Jason is still a gentleman, and Arianna is still as cheerful.
Ms. Lennie looks a little dazed but clears her throat. “Very well. I’m glad Alayna has family in this city.”
“At first, we weren’t sure if it was her since there are others with the same name in the city, then we asked Mom—I mean her “I spoke to Mom to make sure it was really you. I couldn’t believe it!”
She hugs me again. “Oh. I still can’t believe this is happening.”
“Why don’t we all go inside?” Ms. Lennie suggests, startling me.
“Is it okay?” I know that Brandon is vigilant right now, and I still haven’t mentioned the siblings. He might not be comfortable having visitors in the house. This might even be the first time we’re inviting people in.
“Why not? They’re your familyWell, Ms. Lennie is the one in charge of the household, so I guess it’s okay. “He’s probably on his way now, I guess.” I look back at the two. “Besides, I want to introduce you.”
Arianna’s eyes gleam, then she frowns with a ghost smile on her lips. “Introduce us to your boss?”
“Yes.” I giggle. “We’re kind of... closeShe hooks her hand around my arm. “How close?”
I laugh at her inquisitiveness. “Very.”
Jason scratches his head, laughing. “All right, all right. Maybe you can two continue inside; let’s follow Ms. Lennie’s advice.”
“Follow me,” Ms. Lennie says with her usual aplomb, and we walk right behind her, heading toward the house.
There are a lot of things I wish to ask the two—especially about Chris. Their older brother was my savior during dark times. All the heartaches when Dad passed away, and him..“Alayna?” Ms. Lennie snaps me out of my thoughts. I look around, and we’re already inside. “I’ll lead them to the living room, but I guess you have cooking to do now that we have guests.” She smiles. I’m glad she’s welcoming; I guess she’s excited too. The house hasn’t had guests since forever.
“Oh, of course since I’m the chef. Guys?“Wow! This is the home of the Grethe and Elga Enterprises owner! I kind of looked it up on Google,” Arianna says.
Jason surveys the place. “So, we’re meeting your boss then?”
“Oh, he’ll be here in a moment, I think.”
“What an exquisite place to live in,” Arianna comments.
“You didn’t see the best part yet. There’s a library, music room, art gallery, a terrace and a pool, and lots and lots of rooms.”
Her eyes go round. “A library! Oh, you’re so lucky.”
“Anyway, I guess I still have duties to do, and it’s almost evening. Is it okay if I leave you for a short while?”
“It’s okay, Laynie,” Jason assures me. “We can wait.”
I nod. “Welcome to the house.”
Ms. Lennie then ushers them into the living room; I move toward my station. There, I find Casey tasting a piece of the gnocchi, and she pauses as she sees me. “Hmm. Alayna. It looks delicious, so I couldn’t help myself. Do you mind?”
“You’re already eating it,” I joke. “But it’s fine.”
“I heard you have visitors.”
“Yes, they’re family.”
She nods in approval and continues to bite. “Nice.”
“I’ll introduce you later.” I clasp my hands together. “By the way, can you help me? I’ve got to cook more dishes tonight for them. Do you think Brandon would mind? I forgot to tell him about them, and their visit was rather sudden. Should I call him?”
“I’m sure he’ll understand. You said they’re your family.” She continues to eat the chicken using her fingers. “Wait.” Her eyes flicker, and a smile forms on her mouth. “You two are talking again?”
I blink, suddenly reminded of what Brandon said. It’s so simple. We go outside, and we tell them. I clear my throat. “We kind of... um...” I shrug and sigh. “FineShe gapes at me, dropping the remaining piece of food in her hand. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, my God! Finally.”
I nod, smiling. “Yes, finally.”
“Alayna! You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this.” She spreads her arms and squeezes me against her. “Thank God! You two almost gave me a heart attack.”
“Well, but... it’s like we’re starting all over again.”
“Wait.” She pulls away. “Does Cassius know?” There’s deep concern in her expression.
I shake my head.
“Oh, my.” She bites her bottom lip. “How am I going to tell him now?”
“I’ll tell him. He deserves to know, but I feel bad. Honestly, I’m worried.”
Casey’s shoulders slump. “And you said he’s still waiting for your answer?”
“Yes, but that’s it. I can’t answer him, Case. You know why, but I don’t want to hurt him.”
“I understand. Still, at the end of the day, he has to know.”
Silence. We both stare into space. Cassius has always been a person I can depend on. I didn’t actually expect this moment to happen, but I’d pictured it before and asked myself what I would tell him. What the hell am I even doing?
“So, Alayna...” Casey says. “Who are these relatives? You haven’t mentioned them before.”
“Siblings. Childhood friends. It’s a long story, actually. I’ll explain to you one of these days.”
She smiles slightly. “Then I’ll help you prepare.”
We start working in the kitchen to make more gnocchi. We add shrimp étouffée, pot roast, and cannelloni pasta. After cooking, we set up the tables with Ms. Lennie, and she is very enthusiastic about the meal. She changes the centerpieces three times since she can’t get the look she wants.
And at precisely seven o’clock, after we’ve cooked everything, Casey and I go to the living room.
“I’m sorry I made you wait. Cooking is done, but let’s catch up first while we wait for my boss,” I say. “I’ll introduce you to him.”
“It’s fine,” Jason agrees.
I chuckle. “Oh, by the way. I’d like you to meet Casey. She’s my boss’ cousin and the sous chef tonight. Casey, these are my siblings. Arianna and Jason Valentine... HartSilence.
“Casey?”
I look over my shoulder, and she is standing there, very still, with a stunned expression. It’s almost as if she has seen a ghost. Her eyes fixate on the two guests.
“Casey?” I hold her arms, whispering in her ear. “What’s wrong?”
“Jason Valentine“Hi, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Jason extends his hand to her, and finally Casey shakes it.
“You are Alayna’s siblings?” Casey asks with incredulity.
“Yes, I have practically known her since she was born,” he replies with a boyish grin. Well, he’s right. He’s two years older than me, and Arianna and I were four when their parents passed away. There were no relatives who could take care of them, so Mom and Dad legally adopted them.
“It’s nice to meet you, Casey. I’m Arianna.” They shake hands as well.
“Hunt—”“Hey, are you okay?” I whisper to Casey.
She swallows. “Yes, I’m fine.”
Ms. Lennie invites the two to sit when Casey abruptly pulls me to the side.
“Is this true?”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“That they’re your siblings? I thought you were the oldest.”
“Yes, but...” I sigh. “I’ll explain to you later. But is something wrong? You seem bothered.”
“Nothing’s wrong. I’m sorry. And Alayna? Can I excuse myself a bit? I need a shower, and I need to check on my lessons. You can have fun with your”—she glances at the two—“family.”
“Okay.” I grin. “I’ll keep dinner for you and Cassius.”
Casey nods and forces a smile, then excuses herself. I settle on the couch across from Jason and Arianna.
“You’ve got a nice workplace here, Laynie,” Jason remarks again.
“It’s usually quiet,” I say. “And we don’t often invite visitors.”
“Your boss seems nice.” Arianna rests her chin on her palm. “Not to mention, the Lord of Hotness! From what I read online, he didn’t show up in public until recently. He’s a gorgeous man.”
“More than I am?” Jason asks with a frown.
“That’s different. You’re my brother.” She pats his arm.
“Oh, by the way,” Jason says. “It’s December, and our birthday is coming up. Do you still remember?”
“Of course.” I nod, smiling.
“We are planning to fly to Lawrence and celebrate there with our old friends. Remember Fiona? I told her I was meeting you here,” Arianna continues. “Can you believe she actually married Paul Emerson?”
My mouth opens. “Damn. Paul Emerson? The jerk who beat the crap out of you?” I look at J.
He scowls. “That didn’t happen. It’s the other way around!”
Arianna and I burst out laughing. “Oh, he did. I was there, although I arrived late,” A says.
He shakes his head. “He’s an asshole. He told me he’d like to... you know..“Aw, you’re so sweet.” I laugh. “Why did you say no?”
“Oh, come on. This isn’t about me. Paul Emerson screwed with different girls in high school every day. I can’t let him do that to Alayna. You know what happened to her and Drake—” He pauses abruptly.
There, he finally said it. The thing I’ve been avoiding ever since.
I wince at the sound of his name: Drake Mallory. My tormentor. My demon. My abuser.Arianna slaps his arm. “Shut it, J.”
“I’m sorry, Laynie,” he murmurs.
I shut my eyes as I suddenly think of the horror he threw me into. I’ve never moved on. He still haunts my dreams.
“Alayna?”Brandon’s deep voice suddenly breaks me out of my momentary daze. I’m not sure if I am hearing things, so I stand instantly and spin around. Jason and Arianna spring up as well, and Brandon stares at them.
I can already understand his shock. I definitely should have told him first.
But when Brandon finally finds his cool, he paces toward me, puts his arm around my waist, and nuzzles my hair. I hug him, returning his sweet gesture. Then he turns back to the siblings.
“Jason Valentine,” Brandon says, his eyes calculating.
Jason slips his hands into his pockets and gives a half-smile.
“Mr. Lucien.”