Page 26 of Charmed By Destiny

“Do you mind if we leave the office? It’s been a long week, and I want a drink.”

“A long,hardweek?”

“Grow up, Maribeth.”

His cousin laughed and whipped the door open. “Never.”

Richard didn’t comment. While he could do without the teasing about the scrumptious Lucas, he was excited to be reunited with his cousin. And some of her old verve was back. Perhaps being in New York was doing her good. Which sucked because Richard wanted her home.

But he’d keep that to himself. Her happiness was more important than his selfish need to keep her close. If she needed some space by herself to find it, he’d support her wholeheartedly.

“Oh, Lucas, are you leaving already?” Maribeth called out as Richard wished his assistant a good weekend.

“Everyone is trying to get out of here, Mari,” Richard said.

“Tell me, Lucas, is Richard always this cranky at work?” Maribeth asked as they approached Lucas’s immaculate desk. Unlike Richard, Lucas had added no personal effects on the work surface. Everything related to his job was carefully tucked away in drawers. Richard appreciated his neatness, but he wouldn’t have minded some insight into Lucas’s personality.

“Richard is never cranky,” Lucas said. “In the office, he’s dedicated to our clients and ensuring their experience is optimal.”

“Maribeth, how are you?” Douglas called out as he left his own private office and headed toward them to hug Richard’s cousin.

“I’m great, but you really must do something about the staff around here. Lucas lied right to my face.”

“Did I?” Lucas asked, surprise written on his handsome face.

“Douglas, Lucas is trying to convince me that Richard is never cranky,” Maribeth remarked. “Can you imagine a world with a sweet, nice Richard? I think the earth would shift on its axis and doom us all.”

“You’re hilarious,” Richard deadpanned.

“To Luke’s credit, Richard keeps his sass contained at work,” Douglas said with a teasing light in his brown eyes. “It’s only those who know him best that get to see the other side of his personality. His coworkers are privy to his efficiency and best manners. Nothing else.”

“I like the insinuation that I turn into an ogre the minute I walk out of the office,” Richard grumbled.

“More like an outraged queen,” Maribeth teased.

“Takes one to know one, babe,” Richard replied with a mocking grin.

“Well, we wouldn’t be close if we weren’t so alike,” Maribeth agreed, putting her arm around Richard to give him a squeeze. He rested a hand on her back and leaned into her. It was so damn good to be reunited. “And I have a surprise for you, Richard.”

“Richard hates surprises,” Douglas remarked.

“That’s because he’s a giant control freak,” Maribeth said. “But sometimes surprises can be a good thing. I arranged with Gabriel to take a trip tomorrow night to our little club. We’re going to drink and dance the night away. Won’t that be fun?”

While Richard normally disliked any disruption in his routine outside of his job, he enjoyed the occasional night at the club his father had built for them. It was actually a private room attached to the main club in the casino rather than a standalone facility, but it suited their purposes. Richard hadn’t used it since Maribeth left for New York, and he could use a few hours to unwind with drinks, his closest friends, and fun music.

“Is Eric coming too?” Richard asked.

“Yep, with our handsome Gabriel in tow. Douglas, you’ll join us, won’t you?” Maribeth asked. Her sly gaze cut to Lucas. “And I wouldn’t dare leave you out, Lucas. Do you have plans for tomorrow night?”

“I’d love to come,” Douglas responded immediately.

Lucas glanced at Richard, and the necromancer tensed. The air grew charged, but Richard couldn’t explain what the hell was happening.

“My only plans for tomorrow night were to do some laundry,” Lucas said without breaking eye contact with Richard.

What is going on?

An insidious voice within Richard belied his efforts to pretend he wasn’t attracted to Lucas and insisted he knew exactly why electricity bounced between him and the inspirit. If Richard wasn’t mistaken, he wasn’t the lone one interested in more than friendship. Too bad it was impossible.

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