Page 8 of Born for Starlight

“One time.”

He held the door for me, and the warm Nashville evening air hit us after the cool confines of the jewelry store. I heard traffic and music drifting down the street as we walked down Broadway, enjoying time with the man who was going to marry one of my two best friends.

Two days, and Adam would have his ring.

First there had been Kit with my cousin Code. Then her Oscar and their daughter. Now Zoe getting Adam and his adorable son James. Before the plane crash all I did was delight in their lives, but since the wreck I found myself wondering where my life was heading.

“What flavor milkshake do you want?” Adam asked.

“Surprise me. Life should always be a surprise.”

Chapter Three

Bruno Drakos cut the rental’s engine outside Adam Beckett’s place and didn’t get out.

“This time you’re going to tell me why you want to meet my sister.”

“I’m a fan.” I said for the fourth time.

Bruno snorted. “Bullshit.” He drummed two fingers against the wheel, working through his options, then apparently ran out of ones that involved me answering honestly. “Okay. So, you’re not going to tell me.”

“Looks like.”

Bruno blew out a long breath. “Fine, just tell me she’s not in danger.”

I looked out the windshield at the string lights strung across Adam’s porch, at the shapes of people moving behind them, thinking about one particular woman inside.

I didn’t say anything.

“Fuck.” Bruno shoved his car door open hard enough that it bounced against the frame. “Fine. Come meet the family.”

We went in.

Angelica spotted Bruno first and let out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a shriek, crossing the foyer fast to throw both arms around her brother’s neck. He caught her like she weighed nothing and she melted into him the second his arms closed.

I stood back and watched.

A woman broke off from the group near the drink cooler and came my way, dark hair, easy smile, a beer for me already in her hand.

“I’m Zoe.” She passed me the bottle. “Adam’s fiancée. As of about two hours ago, so bear with me, I’m still getting used to saying it.”

“Matthew Grainger. Friend of Bruno’s.”

“And you must be Bruno,” she said, turning to him as he finally let go of his sister.

Bruno grinned, the kind that changed his whole face. “I’ve heard about you,” he said as he took Zoe’s outstretched hands.

“Good things, I hope.”

“Mostly.”

“Matthew. This is my sister, Angelica.” Bruno said. Angelica held out her hand and I took it. It felt like standing on a static carpet. I got a little jolt on our first touch. I examined her face as we held one another’s hand for just a moment longer than normal. Her breath caught, just barely, and I knew she’d felt it too.

Bruno broke the moment as he spied someone across the room. “I need to catch up with my brother. You good?” He asked me.

I nodded.

“I’ll go with,” Angelica said to Bruno. They both left me standing with the bride-to-be.