“Ben. Where the hell have you been?” Aiden greets us in his signature low, grumpy tone.
“Getting married, you big ugly sod. Miss me?” He ignores my question to extend a hand to Janie.
“My condolences,” he says, his eyes dropping to Janie’s body before he quickly corrects himself.
“He means congratulations,” I say, grabbing her hand away before she can shake his, acting like a right git. Janie watches me, confused as I bring her hand to my mouth and kiss her delicate fingers without conscious thought. I shrug. Had to be done. Aiden is a handsome son of a bitch. She doesn’t need to shake his hand.
“I absolutely do not,” He huffs with an almost-grin, keeping his eyes firmly on our faces.
“Oh, I like him,” Janie smirks at me.
“Yes, well, you married me, so, by default, you like me better.”
Her grin turns into a smile, “I don’t know about—”
“What’s that, love, you need a drink?” I make a point of cutting her off and she laughs. My chest stirs with pride at the sound and at how often I can prompt it lately. “The bar’s just there, I’ll go grab us…” I look at Aiden’s drink, which matches everyone else’s. “What’s it?”
“Not sure. Fruity. It was the only option.”
“Brilliant, two fruity cocktails then.” I turn to put both hands on the dips in Janie’s hourglass silhouette. “Aiden’s in real estate, dreadfully boring and always grumpy. He’s happy to stand silently and people watch with you.”
She looks to him and he nods. I give her a squeeze before crossing a few feet to the bar area.
“Or we can make small talk if you want?” I hear her ask.
“Definitely not,” he replies. Good man. I walk away quickly, glad I am not actually a jealous tool. I can leave them togetherto chat. If he sneaks a look at her insane ass, well…well, I won’t know because drinks. I’m getting drinks.
I cough and decide to look around at the bizarre room while standing in the bar line. The furniture is heavy and traditional, like I’d see at Dad’s club in London, but near the bar and in the corner I spot more of the well-lit sculptures. I can’t decide if I like them or not.
I’m surrounded by acquaintances, a senator, a C.I. contractor, some I don’t quite recognize, so I wave, nod, lift my chin and smile. Finally, I get our drinks. I thank the bartender and turn to stare at Janie. Might as well get a greedy eyeful while she’s not paying attention.
But she…she’s tense.
I start back in her direction, then pause in my tracks.
She’s hugging—no, being hugged by—some bloke that…that looks a lot like bloody Taye Diggs. He gestures and she nods. My eyes clock the nearest sculpture. That’s why she froze when we came in. That’s why she’s frozen now, staring up at him.
Well.
I start to move.
As I get closer I hear him plead, “Please, Jay, let’s go talk.”
And she…she’s considering it.
I take back everything I said about not being a jealous prick.
“Here you go, my darling,” I say loudly before fully reaching them. I hand her her drink, searching her eyes for some truth about the situation. The gray beauties look…scared? Embarrassed? Small? All bloody wrong.
“Ben,” she smiles a tight smile and takes her drink. My free hand finds the back of her neck, gripping under her ponytail like the possessive caveman I apparently am now. I also straighten my spine as I turn toward him at her side, enjoying how we face him together, two against one. And definitely not minding the four inches of height I have over this artsy asshole. He looks atme, then Janie, then my hand where it’s traveled from her nape to her hip, close enough to the curve of her backside to be, yet again, possessive as hell.
“Benedict, this is Theo. Theo, Benedict,” Janie says.
“Right, yeah, hey man, nice to meet you.”
He extends a hand. I ignore it.
“Is it?”
