The Revelation of Light and Dark (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 1)

The restaurant pulled three tables together to seat the twelve of us comfortably. After drinks are served, there’s that awkward phase where we all try to decide on what tapas plates to order. I always want to try something but I’m not sure everyone else will like it, or I really love a particular dish, but I’m afraid there won’t be any left by the time it makes it to me. To avoid the stress, I settle back and sip at a glass of wine while Fallon coordinates getting everyone’s input and giving the order to the exasperated-looking waiter.

When he leaves, Fallon stands from the chair she chose at the end of the table. With me being the person being honored tonight, it seems I’d be there, but this is really Fallon’s show. Not a big deal… she sat me between Adira and Myles with Rainey opposite of me and Rich next to her, so my main peeps are close by.

Fallon taps her knife against her water glass, not to get everyone’s attention but because it looks chic and refined. We all quiet and smile at her with anticipation of whatever little speech she’s prepared.

When she has everyone’s attention—which happens only after she leans over and asks Blain to put his phone down—she picks up her pineapple martini.

“I want to thank everyone for coming to this little soiree I put together so we could all celebrate the success of my little sister, Finley Porter.”

Everyone hoots and claps, but soon quiet as they realize Fallon has more to say. She waits until everyone is calm again and continues, this time looking only at me. “Finley… I’m so damned proud of you. There have been many times I wondered if you would ever find a meaningful path in life.”

At this, Myles kicks me under the table, his way of telling me he’s offended by Fallon’s choice of words, which are sort of a compliment but more of a slap in the face. I give him a nudge with my shoulder, a silent gesture this is par for the course and the only love language Fallon knows.

Pointing out my deficiencies and taking pride when I overcome them, as if her mere wishing me to be more successful is what caused it to happen.

Still, I know she is genuinely proud of me, so I continue to smile up at her with the love and devotion of a younger sister who couldn’t have done this without her.

And in truth… I couldn’t have. That twenty-five thousand she gave me helped pave the way for Olympic Dreams to provide me with a shot, as they were impressed I had garnered seed money.

“But I’m here to tell everyone around this table,” Fallon continues, though still only keeping her eyes on me. “My twin is awe-inspiring. It may have taken her a while to figure out what path to take, but, once she did, she did it with a confidence and enthusiasm that showcases just how amazing she is. There was never a doubt in my mind she could do this, and with no offense to Rich,” and here Fallon shoots him a sweet smile, “I know she’s going to make One Bean bigger and better than ever.”

“Here, here,” Rich booms, hoisting his beer up into the air. “To Finley.”

Fallon looks slightly put out that Rich moved to the part where they toast me, and I suspect she has more to say, but everyone’s already lifting their glasses in congratulations. Fallon does the same, takes a delicate sip of her martini, and prepares to sit.

Except the waiter appears again, and this time, he’s holding a massive bouquet of flowers arranged into a cobalt-blue vase. My heart trips a little, as Fallon is always the master of the tiniest and most thoughtful of details. When the waiter says something to her, she takes the vase in hand, studying it curiously.

Her eyes come to me. “Someone sent you flowers, Finley.”

She moves from the end of the table and brings them down to me, setting the vase on the table, which immediately blocks Rainey and Rich from my view. It’s a gorgeous mix of spring flowers that sprays out in all directions and smells divine.

I’m stunned, wondering who in the world they could be from, but figure they are most likely from the staff at One Bean since they couldn’t all be here.

I pluck the tiny envelope from where it’s wedged on a plastic pick. Opening it up, I slide the card out and stare in shock at the words.

Congrats, partner. Well done. Carrick.

Bending over my shoulder from behind where I sit, Fallon reads it aloud. Everyone oohs and aahs at his thoughtfulness. I merely stare at the card, wondering what game Carrick is playing, because he is not thoughtful at all. When I signed the documents today, he hadn’t even bothered to be present, merely requesting they be couriered over to his office after I did my part.