Page 55 of Coral Prince Conundrum
I frown. “A tax write-off, courtesy of Tishman’s Fishery?”
Dad shrugs. “It’s still for a good cause.” I’d be more upset, but the proceeds of the event are going to the vocational center and homeless shelters. The charity is too important to dismiss.
“I’m…really not in a mood.”
“Son, you’re growing moss here. You need to go out and enjoy life, preferably with fewer ocean-based injuries,” Dad says in a facetious tone.
The pair of them gaze at me expectantly. “But I can’t move or dance in this.” I wag my right crutch at him.
“Then come sit with us, and I’ll get you all the punch you want, man.” Justice taps my shoulder and softens his grin. “It would really mean a lot to me, Layla, and the whole Café Magnifique crew.”
I sigh. He’s really laying the guilt on thick. After a beat, I bite my lip and mutter, “Come help me get dressed, Justice.”
“Yesss,” he whisper-cheers. With that, I hobble to the bathroom. They’ve clearly been trying to get me out of the house, so I might as well relent so they don’t badger me forever. In any case, it beats staying at home, being forlorn over a prince I’ll never see again.
Everything at the gala looks amazing. This newly restored wing is superb, mixing classic nineteenth-century hotel vibes with modern technology. I had heard rumors that Layla hired a real tech wizard to fix up this wing, and now I get to see the results. Flat screens decorate the walls, displaying information about the charity event. Several chandeliers shine brightly from the ceiling. Before them all stand massive archways ornately decorated with garlands and the occasional balloon structure. All in all, I can see this ballroom being the site of many weddings and other ostentatious events for years to come.
Tables with dark cloth line the outer rim of the center ballroom, and I’ve planted myself at one. Justice and his studly boyfriend have been so generous in getting me drinks and food since I can’t walk quickly. The music switches between modern, fast-paced tunes and orchestral music, melding sounds of the past and present.
And nearly everyone is wearing a face mask. The main entranceway houses a decoration station with plastic upper face masks, paint markers, and glueable accessories. Some folks brought their own high-end masks, but I’m perfectly content customizing a free one. Holding the mask that Justice procured for me on the table, I use a blue marker to draw lines shaped like waves on the white plastic material. One would think that almost drowning twice in one day would make me afraid of the ocean.
But no, I still miss my time in the Coral Kingdom. I miss my Seero.
After I put down the marker, I gaze out at the happy couples slow-dancing. It’s an eclectic bunch for sure—I swear, I see a half-snake man slithering at one point—but I’ve always enjoyed how lively the community is here in Princedelphia. Everyone’s dolled up, wearing their masks, and staring at each other lovingly while they hold one another on the ballroom floor.
I sigh and tap the table, feeling as single as ever. I wonder if I’ll ever get over the Coral Prince.
When the crowd moves away from the front entrance, I spot a new figure arriving underneath the balloons. He’s dressed in a dark suit and a green tie. His upper facemask is dark azure, with a green cloth dangling down, obscuring his mouth. He adjusts his dark gloves and plays with the buttons on his blazer. I can barely make out his trimmed, dark hair in the low lighting. I am still, however, interested in his lean body—can you blame me? I haven’t had an orgasm since my injury.
He also strides with a confident walk…toward me. I look around, and no one else is near my table. This mystery dude is coming to see me?
He stops when he’s directly in front of me, and my heart hammers in my chest—from fear or arousal, I’m not sure. Mystery man opens his hand and reveals a small glass piece of…coral?
I look into his eyes, and the recognition pulls me back to a month ago. My heart lights aflame, and my mouth goes dry.This can’t be…
“Seero?” I rasp.
“Daryl Tishman,” he says in that sexy tone I would recall anywhere. “May I have this dance?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Seero
I play with my wrists as I stare at the mirror. The suit is suffocating, but I must admit, the jacket makes my shoulders look appealing. Apparently, there is some merit to the Western way of wearing fine clothes. I put on my dark gloves, then pick up the coral totem I commissioned for this event and pocket it. Hopefully, Daryl likes what he sees.
What if he’s moved on? What if he hates me because my sister tried to kill him? What if he’s upset that I haven’t called him? What if all of the above?
“You’re not second-guessing things, are you, brother?” Oroy appears behind me in the mirror and pats down his suit. “Because we look great. Very cowabunga. Very groovy.”
I roll my eyes at his strange use of American slang as it mixes with his Corali words. I did not live here for more than five months, but even I know he is not using the terms correctly. Regardless, I’m happy to have one sibling by my side, and not, well, trying to murder me.
“I am just nervous,” I reply in Corali.
“There’s nothing to be nervous about! You are doing a grand romantic gesture.”
“What’s that?”
Oroy snickers and plays with his tie, and I move out of the way of the mirror. I am content that he is staying on another floor. If all goes well, Daryl and I will need our privacy. If things go really well, the whole hotel might hear us at night. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
