Page 47 of Worthy Promises
“I definitely wouldn’t mind having my mate,” Jeremiah said with a smile that thankfully reached his glittery eyes.
“Until he shows up and explains his tardiness, tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Honestly, I was expecting you to be upset with me,” Jeremiah responded.
“Whatever for?”
“Everyone was excited to meet Oliver. I barely murmured a hello and hid from him. It was stupid, but I’m embarrassedI was so rude to him,” Jeremiah confided. Then he blew out a breath. “I owe him an apology, and I should’ve given it to him on Saturday.”
“Owliver mentioned nothing about being cross with you,” Worth assured Jeremiah with a pat to his back. “I doubt he expects an apology, but I can ask him if he’s expecting one later when I speak to him. It was business, Jeremiah.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you’re not the only artist that has rejected him,” Lex offered as he and Rutledge walked up to join them in the quickly moving line toward food. “I looked up his company. It’s a big deal. He has galleries across North America and is distinguished in the industry.”
“I know that,” Jeremiah replied. “After he first approached me, I did my homework on him, but Elf is the one who set me up with my first curator. I’m not a fan of change either. To have someone like Oliver Toivonen approach me was also overwhelming. I didn’t know what to think, but I quickly grew annoyed that the man refused to accept my dismissal of his proposal to showcase my art.”
Pride surged through Worth. Instead of searching the internet for information on his mate, he wanted to learn everything from the source. So far, Oliver hadn’t gone into detail about his work. Oliver’s success pleased Worth. He wanted everything for Oliver, and his mate was undoubtably not afraid of hard work.
However, Worth quickly acknowledged that even if Oliver had no business, he’d still be fascinated by the beautiful man. Oliver was a mystery. He spoke candidly but gave little away with his expressions. But curiosity and desire had lit up those stunning yellow eyes on every occasion they were together.
If Worth’s hunch was correct, there had been longing in his gaze as he’d soaked up his first taste of the friendly D’Vaires. It made sense, given what Oliver had revealed about his lackof people close to him for the entirety of his life, and Worth was resolute that his mate’s lonely days were nearing their end. Worth couldn’t wait to share every hour of his day and night with Oliver, ending his own lonesomeness.
“You can explain your feelings to Oliver on Saturday,” Lex assured Jeremiah. “I assume Worth has already invited him to our Fated D’Vaire event.”
Rutledge leaned against Lex’s arm, and Worth grinned at the happiness lighting up his best friend’s face as his mate moved closer to him. “Lex and I were thinking we should plan an event about art soon. We could involve Oliver, and of course, we’d want you there, Jeremiah.”
“Wait, why would I go to a Fated D’Vaire event on Saturday?” Worth asked as the information soaked into his brain. “I have a mate. The purpose of your gatherings is to aid those still looking for the other halves of their souls.”
“You’re going because of our close friendship and your desire to support me and Rutledge in our endeavors,” Lex stated firmly, his brown scaly gaze narrowing. “No arguments, Your Grace. Besides, Oliver will probably enjoy it.”
“Maybe he could bring Orion here and he could play with Zarasha while you two are at our event,” Rutledge suggested.
“At least our fair Rutledge has considered that Orion must be cared for since Lex demands I trot myself out to an event with Owliver,” Worth groused. In his head, he’d envisioned a quiet evening at D’Vaire talking to Owliver. He was hungry to learn more about him, and it’d be difficult to get into deep conversation when surrounded by hordes of people.
“Zarasha?” Lex called out. The little Faeto’faercouldn’t eat, but during meals she played with her toys in the attached great room or ventured to a table to chat with whomever she wanted.
Skipping over in another one of her pretty ruffled dresses, Zarasha grinned up at them. “Yes?”
“Would you mind playing with Orion on Saturday night?” Lex asked. “Worth and Oliver have agreed to attend our Fated D’Vaire event.”
“I certainly don’t recall agreeing, and I’ve yet to speak to Owliver about it,” Worth groused.
“Could we have a sleepover like the kids on television?” Zarasha asked. “Orion is so much fun, he’s going to be my best friend.”
Touched by the immediate connection between the two children, Worth melted and knew he wouldn’t utter another complaint about Saturday. “I will ask Owliver after breakfast, okay?”
“Thanks,” Zarasha exclaimed. “I’m going to ask Xak to help me plan our sleepover in case Oliver says yes. Orion likes cats. Oliver told Orion he could have one, but I’m happy he already has one in Asteria. We’ll play with her on Saturday since she’ll be here missing you, Worth.”
Zarasha danced off to find her cousin, and Lex aimed a smug grin at Worth.
“Shut up,” Worth said to Lex before the man uttered a peep.
“You’re welcome,” Lex countered. “Zarasha just gave you an opportunity to have a much more fun adult sleepover with Oliver.”
Refusing to acknowledge the surge of desire that swept through him at the thought of sharing a bed with Oliver, Worth grabbed a plate and studiously ignored the chuckling man. Lex’s nefarious plan was working out to his advantage. Now, Worth had to come up with whatever arguments would be necessary to convince Oliver to go along with Saturday night’s proposal,because neither he nor his dragon were willing to miss out on all that time with their mate.
∞∞∞
To Oliver’s great surprise and pleasure, Orion was sitting cross-legged on the bed as Oliver carefully packed for their sleepover at D’Vaire that night. Worthington had boasted about the healing and peaceful properties of his home and family, and they were apparently already working on Oliver’s little brother. Since they’d returned home from watching the dragons and other magnificent beasts fly, Orion had been a chatterbox and smiled constantly. He hadn’t even mentioned adding a pet to the household, which was fine since Oliver didn’t want to make a change like that before their move.
