Home > Brynna (Stone Society)(9)

Brynna (Stone Society)(9)
Author: Faith Gibson

“Good morning.” Brynna gave him a winsome smile that melted his heart. His lips turned up at the corners. It was impossible not to when she turned her happiness toward him. “How did you sleep? Was the bed okay?”

Travis set his laptop on the table. “Like the dead. I was plenty tired from the excitement and alcohol, and the mattress was perfect.”

Speaking of perfect, Brynna handed him a cup of coffee fixed the way he liked. “I happen to know you’re fibbing about the mattress, but I’ll let it slide for now. Since you have your computer, I assume you’re going to be working this morning?”

“Yes, unless you need me for something else.”

“I do want to revisit the conversation about remodeling the manor, but we can do that later. I think I’m going to drive into town and get a manicure.” She held out a hand, indicating the chipped polish. “You know I suck at painting my nails.” When she didn’t pull her hand back, Travis clasped it, brought it to his lips, and kissed her knuckles.

“I do know. And if you can’t find a salon, I’ll polish them for you.”

“You paint her nails?” Urijah asked.

“Oh, uh, yeah. But just her right hand. She’s not ambidextrous, and it looks like a toddler did it.”

Urijah turned to Banyan. “Why do you never paint my nails?”

Banyan smirked. “Because instead of a toddler, it would look like a Tasmanian devil got hold of a spray can.”

“That’s very specific.” Urijah held his hand out. “I think a nice shade of navy would look good.”

“Maybe you should go with Brynna to the salon.”

“Maybe I will. What do you say, Bryn? Want some company?” Uri asked.

“I’d love it. Just so you know, I’m going shopping too. I’m in the mood for a little retail therapy.”

“It’s a date.”

Banyan looked over his shoulder after he pulled a pan of biscuits out of the oven. “Who are you, and what have you done with my mate?” Instead of answering aloud, Uri tilted his head to the side. Travis was pretty sure he was responding silently. He often wondered what it would be like to have that type of connection with someone.

Marcie announced breakfast was ready, and Travis fell in line to fix his plate. He loved how laid-back everything was. He should have known Banyan wouldn’t act like a pretentious ass just because he was King. In the few months he’d know the Gargoyles, Travis had been pleasantly surprised on more than one occasion, starting when Rafael offered him a job. The whole Clan treated Travis as though he were family. It took him a while to get used to it because he wasn’t close with his own parents. Not since he found out how his mother treated Trevor after Travis left for college. Their dad had apologized to both him and his brother, but other than going out for coffee a couple times a month, there were no family dinners. Travis doubted he would ever forgive their mother.

After breakfast, Brynna kissed Travis on the cheek and told him she would see him later. She and Urijah headed out together, leaving Travis with Banyan. “I’m going to get started on the plans.”

“Do you mind if I watch? I have nothing else going on since Uri went with Bryn.”

“Not at all.” Travis was in his element, and having a client watch the process of their house being designed was exciting for him. The one he already designed back in New Atlanta had been combining three plans. This one was being designed from the ground up, and Travis couldn’t wait to see how it turned out. He opened his computer and got busy, explaining each aspect as he went. Banyan asked questions, and Travis preened on the inside at being able to teach the Goyle something new.

After a couple hours, Banyan stood. “Let’s take a break.”

Travis saved his work and followed the Goyle to the kitchen. It seemed to be the favorite room for everyone who lived there. It would be a shame to make it larger for a hotel, and he thought remodeling the house to make it more Brynna’s style should be considered first. It wasn’t as though she needed the money from a business.

Without asking, Banyan poured them both a glass of sweet tea. When they sat at the well-worn table, Banyan relaxed back in his chair. “So, what do you think about this house?”

“I think it has a lot of potential. If Brynna were to keep it and redecorate it to her own liking, she could see if that makes it feel more like home before going the hotel route. Then again, it is such a large place for just her. You and Uri will be moving out when your house is finished. That won’t be for a few months, but then it’ll just be her, Marcie, and Lawrence.”

“And you.” Banyan sipped his tea, watching Travis.

“Me? Why would I stay here? I mean, yeah, we’re friends, but I live in New Atlanta. That’s where my family is.”

“What if she asked you to stay? Not full time, because she understands you would want to visit Trevor. But you’ve come to mean a lot to her. Last night, she asked your opinion on turning this into Casa Bryn and Trav, did she not?”

“I thought she was joking.” Travis refused to get his hopes up, yet he lay awake last night imagining what it would be like to stay in Norway with Brynna and set up house with her. He might have even thrown a few kids into the mix. The house was certainly large enough to raise a big family in.

“Brynna jokes about a lot of stuff, but she was serious about that. She’s spent her whole life searching for someone to settle down with. Tell me honestly, Travis. How do you feel about Brynna?”

“She’s amazing. She’s funny, fierce, and brilliant. Brynna has the biggest heart of anyone I know.”

“You didn’t mention her looks. Why is that?”

“Because there’s more to her than looking like a runway model. Like the way she spends her days watching cooking videos so she can make my favorite dishes. Or the way she has supper on the table as soon as I get home from work even though we don’t live together. She listens to me when I get excited about a project like it’s the most fascinating subject in the world. It’s all the little things too, like taking my car to get the oil changed while I’m at work so I don’t have to worry with it on the weekend.”

“And why do you think she does those things for you?”

“Because that’s who she is. She’s genuinely a nice person.”

“Does she do those things for anyone else?”

“Well, she did go shopping for Deacon, but…” Travis thought back over the short time he’d known Brynna. Other than that one shopping trip, she spent all her time taking care of Travis.

“But?” Banyan sat up and leaned his forearms on the table.

“But she was only in New Atlanta a month, and for whatever reason, she liked hanging out with me.”

Banyan tilted his head to the side, smiling. “Bryn’s crazy about you.”

“And I’m crazy about your sister, which scares the crap out of me.”

“You just mentioned all the things she does for you. Why would liking her scare you?”

Travis closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Could he admit the truth aloud? And to Brynna’s brother of all people? Banyan was staring at Travis when he opened his eyes. “I feel guilty because it hasn’t been that long ago that I lost Rachel, but Brynna is like no one I’ve ever met, Rachel included.” Travis took a sip of tea, giving himself a moment. “More than that, I’m scared if I let myself get close to her, I’m going to fall in love. Then, when she finds her mate, I’m going to get my heart broken. Again.”

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