Page 78 of Cabin Fever Baby
“That she is. I’m pretty sure I bought out half of her gift shop to decorate the cabin for my crazy family.”
“Oh, I bet you did. She’s got a good eye for everything. Ian’s wife is Laverne’s niece. The kicker to that is Simon’s best mate is married to Laverne’s daughter Lila.”
“Wait. You mean Nick Crandall from Oblivion?”
Rory grinned. “That’s the one.”
“You saymatelike he’s not one of the most famous songwriters and guitarists of our generation.”
He shrugged. “Just Nick and Li to me.”
Just Lila. I couldn’t wrap my head around that.
Lila Crandall was the second-in-command at my brother’s record label. She and Donovan Lewis were career makers. We didn’t deal with her or the owner all that often, but they definitely werenothands off when it came to being involved with Q’s career.
Gobsmacked, I walked inside the warm house. It was decked out with more of the vintage-style decorations that were outside. A smaller version of my Christmas tree stood in the corner near a wide bay window that showed off a massive snow-colored backyard.
A wide, U-shaped couch surrounded a coffee table full of snacks. A man was perched on the edge of the couch, his riot of dark curls messy around his shoulders. His bright blue eyes danced as he spoke to Ivy.
He popped up as we walked through the entryway. “Hello!” He came right over and held out his hand. “I’m Ian.”
Exasperated and slightly starstruck, I stammered, “Oh, I know.”
His grin spread into a delighted smile. “You must be Ocean Breeze.”
“Ocean,” I corrected.
“Rory talks of you and your brother all the time. Come, come. Ivy has a brilliant spread of food.” His British accent was as musical as his singing voice.
“Let the girl, breathe, Ian.” Simon Kagan came out of the kitchen, carrying a tall glass of iced water.
He was as stunningly attractive as his younger brother. The same inky hair, though shorter and probably shorn in a three-hundred-dollar haircut, but the ice blue eyes were eerily identical, if maybe a little more reserved.
Ian was like a puppy, where Simon was a bit easier in his skin. He wore all black and made my heart flip.
Oblivion was one of my favorite bands—and they had been especially so during my formative teen years. I’d been to a few shows over the years and seeing him five feet from me in a homey living room was more than a little surreal.
“Sorry to crash your party.” Simon nodded to Ian. “This one wouldn’t let me enjoy my vacation with my family until we got this song out of his head.”
“You’re singing together?” I blurted out.
Simon smiled the crooked smile that had made my teen—and twenty-nine-year-old—self swoon. “I told him it had to count as one of his Christmas presents.”
I laughed. “Sounds like my brothers.”
“Bartering is the way the world works when you have so many people invading your life.” Simon waggled his eyebrows and slipped by me to join his brother near the food.
“Surreal,” I whispered.
“I know. I still have to pinch myself half the time. Nice to see you again, Ocean.”
“Hi, Ivy.” I smiled as my brother got in the middle of Simon and Ian and they all started talking about music. Half notes, eight-quarter somethings in a song and a bridge that Ian and Simon were wrestling with.
My brother was quiet at first, but I watched a little spark unfurl as he threw out a few words for a lyric.
Ian jumped up. “Yes! Wait! I need my notebook.” He whirled around twice as if confused.
Simon rolled his eyes, then he held up the leather journal and Ian snatched it. “Thanks.”