Page 73 of Worthy Promises
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The clank of silverware against their plates was the only sound in the dining room, and Oliver was concerned. In the many weeks that had passed since Oliver took his first fragile step forward in building a relationship with his brother, it was rare for their meals at their home in New York to be silent. It wasn’t their favorite place to eat. Both brothers preferred life at D’Vaire, and Oliver was steadily working hard to make that dream a reality.
Potential buyers walked through the large house while Orion was at school, and so far, the little boy hadn’t asked about the items Oliver was slowly selling off. There was no need tobring anything they didn’t want with them to Arizona, and as far as Oliver was concerned, it was just his personal effects he’d take with him to their new home.
Orion may have had a different preference, which was why Oliver had yet to touch anything in his brother’s space. Whatever Orion wanted to bring was fine with Oliver, but he wasn’t sure if it was too early to announce their move. He’d have to do it soon—Orion’s new suite needed to be decorated, and Oliver refused to do it without his brother’s input.
But the dilemma over when to announce it hardly mattered right now. Oliver was far more interested in what was bothering Orion.
“Are you all right?” he asked softly.
Popping his head up, Orion shrugged before replying, “Are we ever moving to D’Vaire?”
It was pointless to sigh. Orion had an uncanny way of reading Oliver’s mind lately. “Of course we are.”
“I know Worth’s bedroom is being redecorated. Are you going to live there without me?”
There was no use asking how Orion had learned about Larissa’s plans to overhaul the suite into something pink and white to suit Oliver and Worthington. “What? Of course not.”
“Well, I don’t want to bring the stuff in my room now. Mom and Dad picked it out, and it’s ugly. Zarasha said new things might be too much money. Maybe I could do some chores to help pay for something nice?”
Feeling small and awful, Oliver shook his head. “No, we want you to pick out stuff you like. Worthington and I didn’t tell you right away because we weren’t sure how long it’d take for Larissa to redesign our space. I didn’t want you to get excited, then have to wait a long time to move. But things are moving swiftly. I was planning on talking to Worthington this weekend about adding your bedroom to the plans. Since you know now,do you want to call Larissa later and tell her what ideas you have for your space?”
Orion grinned brightly. “Yes.”
“We have to sell this house and empty it, okay?”
“How long will it take?”
“Everything inside should be sold within a couple of weeks. I don’t know how long it’ll take to sell the house, but we can move to D’Vaire while we wait for that. We need to go through your room and decide what you want to keep,” Oliver said, lifting a forkful of carrots to his lips.
“Can we start tonight?” Orion asked, his yellow gaze bright with excitement. It pleased Oliver and his beast that they weren’t the only ones enthusiastic about their future at D’Vaire.
“Is your homework done?”
“Yes, it was easy.”
“Do you still like your new school?”
Orion nodded so hard his hair bobbed wildly at the crown of his head. “It’s the best. I even have some new friends. But they aren’t my best friends like Zarasha.” The little boy grew silent, and his brows furrowed. “Can I tell you something?”
Patting his mouth with his napkin after swallowing his steamed carrots, Oliver smiled. “Of course you can. Worthington and I are always here for you.”
“Will you promise not to tell anyone but Worth?”
Concern filled Oliver, but it was a simple oath. The lone person Oliver confided in was Worthington, and Orion was free to keep secrets from whomever he wanted. “Absolutely. It won’t go past us without your permission.”
“It might hurt the feelings of some people at D’Vaire.”
“I understand. You prefer not to hurt anyone. Did something happen at the house?”
Orion set his fork down, and Oliver scanned his plate. Most of his dinner was gone, so Oliver didn’t bother insistingthat his brother keep eating. “No, it’s about Zarasha. She’s my best friend in the whole world. She says she can tell me anything. I really like her. I don’t want to do anything to hurt her. She didn’t tell me it was a secret. Zarasha just said I was the only person she could tell.”
His meal also finished, Oliver rested his napkin on the smooth wood of the long table. “I know you wouldn’t hurt her.”
“We were talking about school. I was telling her how much fun I have.” Orion bowed his head. “It made her sad. She cried. Zarasha told me she wishes she could go to school with me. She’s scared. Because she’s ato’faer, she’s gonna be eight forever. But I’ll grow up. So will my new friends at school. Zarasha said someday I won’t want to play with her or be her friend. I got really mad at her. I don’t care how old I am, she’s my friend forever.”
Feeling horrible for the little girl trapped as a stuffed animal, Oliver could easily picture the emotional scene between the two children. His heart broke for Zarasha and Orion, who wanted the best for his close pal. “I believe you will remain her friend.”
