Page 49 of Forever King

Ever the one who wants to think the best of those she cares about, Eden perks up and asks, “Did you ask Kellen? They work in the same company. Maybe he could fill you in on what’s going on there.”

My spirits soar at her suggestion, and before I know it, she’s roped him in to talk with us in hushed tones away from everyone. As usual, Kellen seems blissfully unaware of everything around him, which may help us tonight.

He looks at both of us and asks, “What’s up? By the way, congratulations, Ava. Why does my brother look like someone told him he’s being audited by the IRS?”

Eden pulls him closer. “Shhh, let’s keep this quiet.”

Now Kellen appears utterly lost. “What are we keeping quiet?”

“We want to know why work is making Matthias so grumpy,” she says, speaking for both of us.

He shrugs and shakes his head. “I didn’t realize it was.”

“Well, is there anything happening at the company that would be upsetting him?” I ask, hoping Kellen might know the answer.

Again, he shrugs. “Not that I know of. My division is in tip-top shape, so we aren’t the reason he looks like someone pissed in his Cheerios. I can’t speak for anyone else’s, though. Some of those division heads are straight up jackasses, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they’re giving him a headache.”

Desperate, I ask, “But you don’t know of anything for sure?”

Kellen shakes his head. “No, sorry. You know Matthias, though. Everything stresses him out. The only time he’s ever really happy is with you and the kids. Dude has being cranky down to a science. Always has. He takes after our father. They should have named him Max Junior. In fact, I don’t know why they didn’t.”

We’re not getting anywhere with him, so I thank Kellen and ask him to please not tell anyone we were asking about this topic. Now fixated on why Max and Elizabeth King didn’t name their firstborn after his father, Kellen saunters away to take his position next to the couch again, leaving me with no more answers than before Eden grabbed him and forced him to talk to us.

“That was not helpful,” I admit sadly.

Eden screws her expression into the look she always gets when she’s devising a plan. It’s a mix of pure determination and obstinance. “What if we ask Marius to talk to Matthias? I know Kellen works with him, but Marius is closer to Matthias. I think he always has been. I could tell him to find out what the hell is wrong and tell you.”

I consider her idea, but the less people I get involved in my personal life, the better. It’s bad enough that it’s nearly impossible to keep a secret in this family. I don’t want everyoneto know that it’s possible Matthias and I aren’t happy, especially since we’re planning to get married in front of all of them in just a couple of weeks.

“No, don’t. I’m going to have to figure this out on my own.”

“Are you sure?” she asks, her green eyes twinkling like she really wants Marius to help us figure this out. “You know he’ll do it.”

“I know, but no. Don’t tell him, okay?”

Suddenly, I’m starting to feel some loser, like the only person in the room who doesn’t have the life she’s been pretending to have. Matthias and I have been happy since we finally admitted we were in love. At least, I thought we were happy. Was I wrong?

Eden brings me in for a hug and whispers in my ear, “Don’t worry. Matthias has a big job. I’m sure it’s just work weighing on his mind.”

I nod, wanting more than anything to believe that’s it.

“I’m sure you’re right. Go back to the party and enjoy yourself.”

She turns to leave and then looks back at me. “Hey, about this wedding. How are your bridesmaids going to get dresses in time? Two weeks isn’t long enough.”

“Oh, wear whatever you want. It’s going to be something very casual. You know how we are. I’m not even doing a regular wedding gown. My father is coming, but Andrew and his wife can’t. We don’t really want anything formal anyway. Choose whatever dress you want to that morning, and you’ll be fine.”

“Got it! Don’t worry, Ava. Everything’s going to be great for your wedding. Matthias isn’t a huge smiley guy, anyway. You’ve always gone for the broody guy. You two are perfect together.”

I nod, willing to admit I do tend to love brooding men, and of all the men I’ve dated, Matthias is absolutely the broodiest.

God, I hope that’s all this is.

Once everyone leavesand Eleanor and I get things cleaned up, I check on the kids and tuck them into bed. All three got to enjoy the party, so by bedtime, they were exhausted.

I stay a few extra minutes to watch Elizabeth sleep since she’s so young and I love to watch her little body move up and down in her crib. She has this way of pouting when she sleeps that’s utterly adorable. Maybe she’ll turn out as broody as her father.

Each child gets a kiss and a whispered, “I love you” before I head down to the office to see how Matthias is doing. He returned to the party for a few minutes to eat and chat with everyone, but then he disappeared again, making his absence all the more obvious.