Page 97 of Moonlight Hearts

“It’s a rather interesting gathering you’ve managed to put together, I will say.Did it take you long to convince Bennet to do it?”

The memory of Soyer balking at first but really liking it warmed me like a hug.“He was on board almost right away.”

Elias frowned.“How come I get spanked when I lie, but he’s allowed?”

Simeon rubbed Elias’s thigh.“You know why, pet.”He turned to me.“I do agree it sounds unlikely, Amory.Either that, or you and Bennet are similarly overqualified in making people change their minds, though in very different ways.”

I pursed my lips.“Was that an underhanded insult to my fiancé?”

Elias melted against Simeon.“Aww, adorable.”

Simeon looked pleased.“Absolutely not.I meant to say that it speaks to your determination and character that you’re able to convince Bennet to do something he’s never done before.It’s a rather good thing.”He leaned back.“I myself can’t always get him to pick up the phone.”

I shrugged.“Well, he likes texting.”

Elias cackled.Simeon gave me a bemused if approving look.Over his shoulder, I saw Soyer walk up.

“What’s this, huh?Why’re you monopolizing my fiancé’s attention, Simeon?”

Simeon turned.“What, me?”

“We were just chatting,” I said.

Soyer frowned at the champagne glasses on the table, and from his face, I could just tell he knew Elias had sort of stolen mine.Then again, maybe it was his mind reading ability shining through.

He stood right next to me and ran his index finger along my cheek.“Amory, it’s time to have dinner.Will you please join me?”

He held out his hand, and I took it.I felt the wide smile tug at my cheeks, but I couldn’t stop myself.I had Soyer’s attention, and it made me feel special.It made me feel warm and loved, the exact opposite of alone.I hoped he felt the same.I wanted that for him.

He led me to the head of the table on the side facing the door and pulled out the chair to the immediate right for me.That way, I sat immediately in front of the sliced-up pieces of pumpkin, the flesh still bright orange, the filling perfectly cooked.In fact, almost all of the space on the table was taken up by food.Kasey and Chef had moved the chili pot over, which was farther down.

Everyone else was finding places to sit, and Rae was going around the table with Ant, pouring the wine Valentin had brought.

Soyer took his place next to me, which probably made sense.For years, my father had sat at the head of the table in our home.There’d been rules about how we weren’t allowed to eat before him, especially not at Sunday dinner.This wasn’t that.Today wasn’t even remotely like those dinners had been.

Soyer eyed me, but his face didn’t betray his emotions.He was offering me his hand again though, this time placing it on the table, perhaps a dare to make us seen, perhaps his need for affirmation.I didn’t care.I put my hand in his and held on to him like he did to me.

At the other end of the table, sitting opposite Soyer, Valentin cleared his throat.“Well, Bennet, let’s have your speech, then.”

“You think I have a speech ready for you?”Soyer shot back, his brow rising.

Valentin, cool as you please, raised his wineglass, and Elias to his right and Simeon to his left followed suit, Elias for once not putting on any attitude at all.

“Just a few words will do, Bennet.”

Soyer heaved a sigh and reached over his plate, taking up his wine glass with his left hand.Everyone else picked up their glasses too.I raised mine, giving him an encouraging nod.

“Thank you all for coming.”He looked at me.“Thank you, Amory, for thrusting this celebration upon me.Enjoy the food, enjoy the company, and leave this house brighter than you found it.”

“Hear, hear,” Valentin said, and it was echoed around the table amid glass clinking in lieu of applause.

People started eating, piling all the morsels on their plates, except Soyer didn’t move.He was looking at me.

“What?”I asked.“Want me to pass you the pumpkin?”

“Not yet.Are you happy, my heart?”

I tried to keep the laughter bottled up by pressing my lips together.“Happy as a clown.Of course I’m happy.”