Page 40 of Charmed By Destiny

Richard narrowed his gaze. “I’m not mooning, and people can hear you.”

“Plus, our favorite inspirit already walked out,” Maribeth teased with a knowing smile.

“Hush, the room is nearly empty. We need to go join Gabriel and Eric for photos.”

“And change into our party outfits so we can dance the night away.”

Looping his arm through Maribeth’s, Richard led her to the door Eric and Gabriel had snuck out. He didn’t see their parents, so he assumed they’d also escaped. “I’m starving, I can’t wait until they serve dinner.”

“Too bad you can’t sit with your beau during our meal.”

“He’s not my beau,” Richard countered as they entered an atrium. He smiled at Eric and Gabriel posing for the photographer. Neither man appeared stressed, which was exactly what Richard wanted. They deserved to enjoy their day and walk away with only positive memories.

“Too bad. Someone will come by and scoop that gorgeous man up.”

“What gorgeous man is that?” Richard’s mother asked.

“Lucas,” Maribeth answered before Richard could warn her to keep her mouth shut.

His mother’s grin was gleeful. “Lucas is divine. Do we know if he’s single still? He’s been here awhile, he could’ve met someone. Maybe even his soulmate.”

“It’s been three months,” Richard grumbled as his mind conjured Lucas in the arms of some faceless stranger.

“It takes a single night to find a soulmate,” his mother replied.

“Soulmates aren’t discovered solely at night. That’s not how I remember it working for us,” his father added.

Richard crinkled his nose. “Please spare me the details.”

Thankfully, the photographer called for the family to join the happy couple, and Richard was saved from any further discussion about the way his parents had learned they were soulmates. Or the horrifying possibility that Lucas was no longer available. Why that mattered was a mystery to Richard. Or it should’ve been, but he knew better. He had it bad for the man.

Richard wasn’t supposed to be interested in men any longer. They were trouble, he reminded himself. No good had come out of his sexual experiences—few though they had been. Richard flashed his smile until his cheeks ached and posed as he was instructed.

Forty minutes later, he hustled everyone into rooms to get changed. He hadn’t expected Maribeth to follow him into the small space where his clothes were stashed, but he also wasn’t surprised when she hustled in with her garment bag.

“There’s another room next door,” Richard said.

“We’ve seen each other naked. Grow up, Richard. I’m changing in here so I can talk to you.”

With a roll of his eyes, Richard sat to take off his dressy shoes. “Is there something urgent we need to discuss before the reception?”

“Yes, because we can’t speak freely once it starts.”

“And it can’t wait until afterward?” Richard asked, slipping off his suit jacket.

“Absolutely not.”

Immediately concerned, Richard paused in unbuttoning his shirt to focus on his cousin. “Everything okay?”

“No, you’re being an idiot.”

“Excuse me?”

“You clearly have a thing for Lucas.”

“What?” Richard asked, though he knew exactly what she was talking about, and he couldn’t lie to her. His only defense was ignorance.

“Don’t try to lie to me. I know you. What are you going to do about it?”

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