Page 16 of My Orc Billionaire
And if that was a delivery person at the front door—why wouldn’t they have left the package by the garage entrance, as the sign instructed?—then I might as well get it.
As I rushed through the foyer, I was struck by how large andemptyit was. Would Abydos mind if I bought some fall decorations out here to bring a little cozy cheer? Or maybe I could put some out on the front porch.
He’ll just say no.
I smirked. It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission. I made a mental note to look for pumpkins—decorations, not for cooking—the next time I was at the farmer’s market.
I reached for the front doorknob just as hurried footsteps sounded down the long hall to Abydos’s office, but I was already committed, so I pulled it open. My brows went up as my jaw dropped.
“Hello,” said the vision on the front porch. “Is Abydos home? Of course he is.”
“Riven!” came Abydos’s call as he pounded closer. “Don’t get?—”
The words halted abruptly as he saw me standing there, holding open the door to the stranger, whose smile was tight.
“Hello, brother. Were you going to tell her not to let me in?”
Brother?
The male standing on the front porch didn’t look exactly like Abydos, but I could see the similarities in the shape of his jaw and the breadth of his shoulders. Butthismale looked as if he knew how to smile, and there was a softness around his eyes. Of course, the toddler who was sitting on his shoulder leant to the air of gentleness.
Abydos, meanwhile, had slowed, and now he slid his phone into his pocket as he adjusted his cuffs without really looking at either of us. “I wasgoingto tell her to let me get it. Hello, Aswan.”
The second male, still standing on the porch, bounced the child. “Say hello to Uncle Abydos.”
The little boy cautiously waved a small hand. “‘Lo,” he murmured obediently. “Upple Abby-dos.”
Aswan’s face split into a smile. “That’s my new favorite version of your name, Abby-dos. I’m calling you that.”
“Not if you’re planning on coming in here, you’re not,” Abydos scowled, and my brows went up. This male was hisbrother, and he was being so inhospitable?
I turned back to the male on the front steps and opened my mouth to offer refreshment, or, alternatively, to offer an excuse before slinking away. But Abydos cleared his throat.
“This is Riven, my chef. Riven, my twin brother Aswan. And his youngest kitling Joshua.”
My mouth dropped open; I’d expected him to ignore me. But he said my name—my actual name—as if I belonged here. I shouldn’t have noticed, and I definitely shouldn’t have cared…but it made me preen a little that he thought I was worth introducing.
Aswan’s brows had also risen. “I’m genuinely impressed you remembered Joshy’s name and how many children Hannah and I share.” When he inclined his head to me, the toddler gripped his hair to maintain his perch. “It’s nice to meet you, Riven.”
I wiggled my fingers in what I hoped could pass for politeness. I was still pretty shocked by the whole situation, not to mention that Abydos had even considered introducing me.
“I remember everything,” grumbled Abydos. I saw him take a deep breath and straighten. “Do you want to come in?”
I did my best to keep my expression neutral as I opened the door wider, silently inviting Aswan and the toddler in. But the other man cocked his head to one side and studied Abydos.
“Thank you, but we were just stopping by to invite you to dinner on Saturday. I promised Hannah I would makebkarn, and I thought you would enjoy it as well.”
Could he see the way Abydos’s eyes had lit with excitement for just a moment? The way the lines around his eyes had eased at the offer? Or had Abydos hidden his response too quickly?
As it was, he looked almost…regretful when he shook his head. “Thank you. I would like that, but I have to be back in Colorado on Thursday, and I’ll stay…”
Aswan shrugged. “I’m not surprised. None of us expected you to stay here in Eastshore as long as you have, although wedidhope we would see more of you while you were here.”
Was it my imagination, or did Abydos’s dark gaze flick to me just for a fraction of a second before he set his jaw? “I have everything I need here in this house.”
“Yes.” Aswan’s lips curled knowingly, although I don’t know why. “You do. But there’s a difference betweenneedingandwanting.” He stuck out his hand. “When you’re back in town, please let me know. I miss you.”
To my surprise, Abydos didn’t hesitate before he stepped over the threshold to clasp his brother’s forearm. “I’ve missed you too,” he admitted, finally meeting the other male’s eyes. “And yourbkarn. I’ll drop you a line when I’m back.”
