The first thing Bryson thought was that he’d never seen Duke look so clean. His face was shaved, his hair was slicked back, and he was wearing a suit jacket that Bryson had seen before in his own father’s closet. Amaya’s delivery, no doubt. Had the promise of something suitable to wear come with the invitation? Duke clutched a small package, wrapped in silver, looking confused, concerned, and cranky, and for some reason, that made Bryson smile. He kind of liked the idea that this wasn’t Duke’s type of gathering.
“Rounds first, please,” Mandy asked. “Say your hellos and thank yous and then you’re free to do what you choose.”
It took longer than he’d hoped to do that, but catching Duke glancing at him almost every time he looked over at Duke, made both of them smile. He got caught in a spe
