Page 456 of Lodestar

Troy:Yeah, and it’s not as if it’s an investment that’ll accrue interest. That was a quarter-million dollars I’ll never get back.

Star:I’m fine with 2k. Makes it enough to be interesting.

Troy:Okay, I’m down. Gimme the particulars nearer the time and I’ll make it happen.

Cin:Cool. I’d better get going. Got shit to do, people to kill.

Star:*snorts*

Troy:Speak later.

Star:Happy snipering.

44

CONOR

Though I wassweaty from my workout, I pressed a kiss to Star’s shoulder and waited for her to take the box in my hands.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Something to make you happy, and seeing as you’re about to eat with family, you could probably wear it too.”

Laughing, she untied the ribbon on the box and smirked. “Flannel PJs?”

“I got a matching set for me and one for Katina as well.”

Her eyes gleamed. “We’re definitely wearing these tonight. Aidan will show up in Brioni, Camden in vintage Gucci, and Savannah in her designerdu jour. We have to break glass ceilings.”

“Not sure we can do that in a penthouse. Aren’t we too high up?”

“You have to start somewhere.” She peered at her watch then grabbed my arm and started dragging me toward the bedrooms. “We have enough time to change. You go and get ready and I’ll give these to Kat.”

“Nah, I gave her set to her earlier. Hers have polar bears on them. I just got us regular plaid.”

With a shake of her head, she chuckled. “You’re one of a kind, Conor. You know that?”

“I mean, I try.”

Still needing to clean up after my workout, I pulled out the new PJs that I’d actuallyphysicallybought—hadn’t just ordered them online—and headed into the shower.

After washing up, I changed, just in time to hear the doorbell.

Knowing it’d be the food, I left that with Star and went to our office to check how my 3D printer was progressing, then I scanned my emails and made sure some programs were still running.

A half-hour later, Star called out, “Conor, Savannah just texted to let me know they’re on their way up.”

The doorbell sounded again. I stretched then shut my computer down for the night, smiled at the new picture frame on my desk of Kat and me on the Staten Island Ferry, and moved into the hall to greet my brother, Savannah, and Camden—the reason for the dinner.

I caught them just in time to hear Savannah grumble, “I spent thirty grand on your new wardrobe, Star, and you wear pajamas to meet with us?”

“We’re among family, aren’t we? I’m jealous I didn’t think of it,” Camden, Savannah’s brother, joked as he hauled Star into him. “God, it’s good to see you. When Savannah told me that you wanted to meet up, I was so freakin’ happy?—”

“Star?! The polar bears are winking!” Katina chuckled as she pulled out her pajama sweatshirt as she ambled down the hall. Kat flashed a glance at the door, then she blanched. She dropped the hem of her sweatshirt. Gulped. Blushed. Then rubbed her eyes. “Is that…” She peered at Savannah, and Aidan, then studied Camden. “Savannah,” she whispered. “You’re the best aunt ever!”

Savannah grinned as she shoved Camden in the shoulder. “Meet your number one fan in the whole universe, Camden.”

Though he grinned back, he held out his hand for Kat. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Katina. It’s an honor to meet mynumero unofan.”

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