"Mr. Raul. Do you have someone you like?"
Usually, when someone asked that question, there was an assumption behind it. A subtext. A reason.
Arkai and Roarke, having navigated the treacherous waters of noble social circles their entire lives, knew this implicitly. The one asking the question either had a crush on the person being asked… or was checking their availability for someone else.
So, with the coldness of eternal black ice piercing his back like a thousand tiny daggers, Roarke chuckled.
He knew he was in danger.
"Why?" His voice was remarkably steady, given the circumstances. He even managed a casual shrug. "Your friends want to know if I'm available or something?"
A pause. A beat.
"I am, by the way. Available. And I'm about to get rich." He puffed up slightly, pride flickering through the tension. "This month. I can buy all the ice creams and milk tea on dates." A grin. "Advertise me."
