Page 120 of Lumi

“But it’s your birthday, and we don’t want to take away from everyone celebrating you.”

“Nonsense. There’s enough champagne to go around for several celebrations. You should tell them.”

“You wouldn’t mind?”

I pushed my hip to one side. “Atlas Robertson, do you know me at all?”

He grinned and let his head fall forward. “All right. I’ll share the news.”

“Promise!”

“Yes, I promise.”

We walked back to the others with our elbows linked.

“You all just continue talking while Charles and I prep dinner,” Liv said and gave Atlas and me a curious look. “What are you two up to? I’m sensing an aura of mischief around you.”

“Not at all. We’re just very pleased with ourselves.”

“Ye look it. Did ye put yer fortunes in the right stock and make another trillion in pocket change?” Kit laughed at her own joke.

“No. We found something superior to money,” I said and let go of Atlas to take Damian’s hand. “We found love.”

While Damian kissed me, Nathan threw a couple of grapes in my direction. “Who are you, and what did you do to my pragmatic sister? You used to be the most rational and least romantic person I knew.”

“People change.” I cuddled up against Damian, who placed his arms around me.

Nathan grinned but made a dismissive wave with his hand. “Kit, can I sit next to you at dinner? My eyes are hurting from the way they glow with love. I need a fellow single to remind me that I’m not a complete loser.”

Kit pushed her red hair behind her ears and gave one of her characteristic carefree laughs. “Tell ye what, Nathan; just for the balance of it, I could make yer ears bleed as much as yer eyes.”

“What do you mean?”

“Awk, I can tell ye all about how Lumi pushed me to get back in contact with my first love, Owen, this week. I could read out some of our flirtatious text messages for the craic of it.”

Nathan groaned and gave a mock pout. “That’s it! I’m calling Maximum and asking him to come home. I don’t want to be the only single here.”

“I’m single!” River called out from the kitchen, where she was getting a mineral water from the fridge.

Nathan scoffed. “For five minutes. I’ll bet my mixed-colored ass that you have a whole harem of men pining for your attention and that you’re just shopping around to find the best candidate.”

“Nathan, language!” Liv called over with a raised eyebrow while River came to join us.

“Why wouldn’t I shop around?” she asked. “I find that getting spoiled by men is the best cure to overcome heartbreak, and it’s not like I’ve committed to anything serious with any of them.”

“How many have you dated this year?” Nathan wanted to know.

“You mean after Storm and I broke up?”

“Mhmm.”

“Officially, I’ve only dated Isaac. The press found out about us in late March, and then we were together until he ghosted me in June.” River flicked her hair back. “Isaac might be a star race driver and all, but if I’m honest, he was nothing but a distraction from my heartbreak with Storm.”

“What about Tyler. I saw you together at some red-carpet event a few months ago,” I said.

“Yes.” River sighed. “It was nothing really. We gave each other a polite hug and it made the press speculate if we were getting back together, but no. Tyler is my ex for a reason. I’m never dating a soccer player again.”

“Who are you seeing now?” I asked.