Page 15 of Charmed By Destiny

“That’s interesting since I could’ve sworn when I checked my calendar this morning it included a meeting to aid with my youngest child’s wedding. Those nuptials, of course, being a direct result of my matchmaking.”

Richard snorted. “Please, Lucas and Douglas won’t tell our secrets. It didn’t matter how much blood, sweat, and tears we put into matchmaking. Nothing happened between Gabriel and Eric until Mr. Wolfebrier decided to make a move on your youngest child.”

“The truth is, I love Gabriel as much as my own children, but the man is unbelievably stubborn,” his mother confided.

“Which somehow suits Eric perfectly,” Richard said.

“Without a doubt,” Rosalind agreed. “My heart overflows every time I see them together.”

“So, let’s give them a fantastic wedding,” Richard remarked. “Douglas and I pulled a few swatches for you to look at.”

“Perfect. Lucas, would you be a dear and grab me a cup of coffee? I have a feeling I’ll need the fortitude of caffeine to keep from weeping with happiness as I negotiate with Richard to narrow our choices to two or three.”

“Happy to help however I can,” Lucas replied and sailed out.

“Richard,” his mother stated. It was a single word, but her tone spoke volumes, and Richard didn’t have to ask why she’d shooed Lucas out to grab her coffee. She had plans for the inspirit and wanted a team of helpers.

“Mom, don’t start. I don’t know what Lucas is looking for in a partner, and my job is to help him build skills in a professional capacity, not set him up on dates.”

“You’re a Marwood, and our responsibility is to ensure inspirits are happy.”

“I don’t remember ever being told that part of that duty was to turn into a dating service,” Richard said.

“This is why you’re still single, Douglas. You spend too much time with Richard, and his bad attitude is scaring away your soulmate.”

Douglas laughed. “Richard is one of my dearest friends.”

“Douglas, you need better friends,” Rosalind chided. “Richard, it couldn’t hurt for you to befriend Lucas and add him to your circle.”

“You told Douglas he’d be better off without me as a friend,” Richard exclaimed, not ready to admit to anyone that the striking Lucas was far too enticing for his peace of mind. Since they didn’t know each other, it was Richard’s problem with men resurfacing yet again. A hot man walked in and he was ready to run off with him—without bothering to figure out if he was shallow, selfish, or anything else.

Lucas returned before Rosalind could argue further, and she thanked the inspirit as she took the coffee.

“Lucas, I was discussing with Douglas and Richard how we must have you at the house for dinner soon.”

“Were you?” Richard asked with a glare for his mother.

“Yes. Is any night next week good for you, Lucas? Douglas, you must join us. I insist.”

Richard consoled himself with the fact that he’d have his close friend there and perhaps he could spend the dinner talking to Douglas instead of noticing how handsome Lucas was.

“My schedule is wide open, Mrs. Marwood.”

“It’s Rosalind. Douglas, would Thursday work for you?”

“I do believe it would,” Douglas replied.

Richard wished Douglas had at least quibbled over the date, but just like that, he and Lucas would soon join the Marwoods for a meal. Douglas visited on occasion, but Richard saw no point in Lucas being added to the table. Unless, of course, he enjoyed being the prey of an ancient necromancer and her desire to have everyone in her orbit find their soulmate. Something Richard was happy to avoid.

Chapter 7

Luke was in a limousine for the first time. It was fancy and elegant, and he doubted he’d ever be able to afford one for himself. At his side was the owner of the vehicle, Clark Marwood. The necromancer was discussing security with Gabe. Or that was what Luke assumed they were talking about.

The sad truth was he didn’t care what was on their minds because Luke’s entire focus was on the other passenger in the vehicle. In a pair of snug black pants and a paisley shirt in a dark smoky gray, Richard was mesmerizing. He wasn’t even doing anything remarkable. In his elegant tattooed hands was a slim cellphone, and his thumbs were gliding across the screen.

Who was he talking to? Did Richard have a significant other? Despite the fashionable attire, artfully applied cosmetics, and perfectly coiffed hair, Luke refused to assume Richard’s sexuality. But some growing part of him hoped to hell Richard was into men. Which made him an idiot. Luke had no business thinking about his boss and the son of the couple who owned the Marwood empire, let alone daydreaming about being alone with Richard. Not to mention the fevered images Luke had woken up to that morning in his newly leased condo.

It was in a building that exclusively housed inspirits like him. Everyone was kind, and a part of Luke he hadn’t known existed was relaxed when he was there. For the past ten years, he’d drifted around the country with a constant need to hide behind a backstory. It was impossible to explain to humans that his life had started on a random afternoon when a necromancer had summoned him.

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