Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,12
a hug. “I am happy for you both.”
“You’re going to be an honorary uncle.”
“No thanks.” No child needed me in that position. I would hardly qualify as a good role model.
“Why not?” She pulled back. “You’re like another brother to me.”
“Am I? What does that say about the kiss we shared?” I teased her about a silly kiss that happened ages ago.
“That was before you became like a brother to me.” She smiled.
“Your kid can call me what he wants.”
“It might not be a he. It could be a girl.”
I heard the sound of footsteps and knew who was coming. “True, it could be. If so, I hope she gets your looks and not her father’s.”
Liam strolled over. With his messy auburn hair and tall height, he was hard to miss. “Despite what you actually meant by that insulting comment, I agree. I hope all of our daughters look like Charlotte.”
I chuckled. “How many daughters are you planning to have?”
Charlotte pursed her lips. “None of your business. Just say congratulations again, and we can move on.”
I laughed. “Moving on…” I remembered Henry’s suggestion, and I remembered the girl. “Any chance I could take a little break?”
“A break?” Liam narrowed his eyes. “Looking to spend a few days at the beach or something?”
“Something like that.”
“What’s her name?” Charlotte’s eyes twinkled.
“Who says there is a girl involved?”
“James, it’s me you’re talking to. I know you. I’ve known you for nearly a decade.”
“You have, and how many women have I been involved with in that time?”
“And how many breaks have you asked for in that time?”
“I’m going to let you two duke this out. As far as I’m concerned, leave is approved.” Liam kissed Charlotte on the cheek before walking toward the front door. He knew when to stay out of things.
“Would it matter if it was about a girl?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” I had not expected Charlotte to be difficult. She was the one complaining about how lonely I seemed.
“Because it means I have to say yes.”
I laughed. “Maybe there is a girl.”
“Maybe?” She leaned in.
“I met someone. I do not know her name though.”
“James!” Charlotte scowled. “That’s horrible.”
“Wait, I met someone as in met her, not slept with her.”
“Oh.” She calmed down. “That’s entirely different.”
“I actually need to talk to your parents about that.”
“My parents? They’re away.”
“No one told me that you guys have a house sitter now.”
“Why would you know that?” she asked suspiciously.
“I stopped by the house last night.”
“Why would you stop by the house?” She put a hand on her hip.
“Because I needed to rest.”
“And you terrified the poor girl? You already admitted you didn’t sleep with her.”
“I put her at ease by showing her pictures of us that were in your room.”
“You were in my room?” Her forehead furrowed.
“Why does it matter to you? You have not lived there in years, and yeah… I entered through the balcony. The problem is the girl is sleeping in your room.”
“What? James!”
“I had no clue she was there.”
“Fine.” She relented. “So if you guys talked, why don’t you know her name?”
“Because she kicked me out before that happened.”
“Why would she kick you out if you put her at ease?”
“I gave her a hard time about stuff… as a joke.”
“You’re impossible.”
“No I’m not. I was just being me.”
“And sometimes you shouldn’t be you.”
“Hey.”
“Hey what? You’ve got some wonderful traits, but we all know you’ve also got some bad ones. Get rid of the bad ones.”
“I will not change who I am to make people happy.” That went against what I stood for.
“No one said to change who you are, just soften it.”
“Thanks, Char. Real nice.”
“You know I love you.”
“Yes, which is why I will withhold the response I want to make.”
“You will also withhold it because of who I am.”
“Oh yes, the all mighty Essence.” The Essence was more than just a queen. She also had powers tied to nature. She was not someone to mess with.
She laughed. “I never thought I’d get used to that title, but I have.”
“It fits you, which it should since you were born to be one.”
“And you were born to be a Guardian... which is why this leave had better be temporary. I already have the smallest Guard in the history of Essences. Besides your niece or nephew will need you.”
“Which means I cannot disappear into the sunset forever.”
“Not forever. I already thought I’d lost you forever once.” Her face fell.
“I only need a few days.”
“Ainsley.”
“What?”
“I think her name is Ainsley. Liam’s mom did the interview with her