“You should listen to your wife. I’ve found when I listen to mine, life goes much smoother.”
I pushed out a breath and turned to Carter who was giving me a superior look over the rim of his champagne flute. Next to him stood Michelle, champagne glass in her hand. She and Patience greeted one another, and left to assist my mother in taking the children to the other part of the house where they would be overseen by the nanny. My eyes watched Patience for as long as I could, until they rounded a corner and she was no longer visible.
“You owe me a hundred bucks.”
I turned to see Joshua now joining us and looking between our two other brothers. To my confusion both of those knuckleheads dug into their pockets and pulled one hundred dollar bills out, passing them to Josh. He chuckled as he pocketed the money.
“The hell is that about?”
“These two didn’t believe me.” He gestured between Carter and Tyler.
I waited for him to expound but nothing came. “Care to elaborate?”
Joshua cut his dark eyes their way before pivoting to me. “I told our dear brothers that the big guy had really done it. He’d gone ahead and fallen…hard.”
I angled my head at him, still not catching on, and growing more frustrated by the moment. “Joshua, if you keep beating around the bush, I’m go–”
“All right,” he chuckled, holding up his hands. “Calm down. After that eventful day in your office, I mentioned to our brothers that your wife really was the one, and that you may not have realized it then but you were definitely in love. They didn’t believe me. Bet me a hundred dollars. Clearly, that little display a moment ago,” he nodded in the direction the women and children had gone, “proved them wrong. Ergo, I’m two hundred bucks richer. End of story.”
I looked from Joshua to the other two nitwits who just wore ridiculous grins.
“Mind your damn business, idiots,” I growled, then brushed past Carter and Tyler toward the living room. My father, along with a few of his former colleagues and their wives, were in attendance. I shook off my previous annoyance and put on my game face to discuss business for the next hour or so before dinner was to start.
I rubbed elbows with a number of colleagues in the energy business. One had flown in from overseas to conduct business in Williamsport, specifically with Townsend Industries. We talked shop for a while, when an image across the room caught my eye. I watched as Patience walked over to Michelle, who appeared to be holding her same champagne flute. Patience whispered something in her ear and pulled back, handing Michelle another flute, while taking the one Michelle held and placing it on the dish of a passing waiter. Michelle appeared grateful, taking a sip of her new drink. The two women continued talking for some time. Unfortunately, my line of sight was cut off when my eldest brother stepped into it.
Carter was only an inch taller than me at six-three, so I didn’t need to look up to see those smirking blue eyes peering at me.
“Need help with something?” I questioned, my tone clipped.
“They’re lovely, aren’t they?” His smile widening, he came to stand by my side so I could see our wives again. “It’s great they get along so well.”
I grunted in agreement.
“Of course, you owe me for the next time I want to spend the entire day screwing my wife. You’re going to have to take the kid for a while. It’s only fair.”
I turned my head, glaring at Carter.
He shrugged. “I’m just saying.”
I dismissed him with a look but I grew even more irritated at the deep chuckle he gave off. However, that aggravation was nothing compared to the heat of jealousy that overtook my senses when one of the guests approached Michelle and Patience. He was a popular attorney, who was in the beginning stages of running for district attorney. I glared at him as he shook Patience’s hand but his hold lingered. Even from my vantage point, I watched his eyes narrow, as he took her in.
My feet were moving before I fully registered where I was going. I heard someone call my name behind me but I was too intent on the sight before me.
“Aaron,” Patience smiled. “This is…” She paused when she saw the cold look in my eyes.
My gaze fell from her to the arm this man had now tucked behind my wife’s back, as if he had every right to touch what was mine.
“Justin Arroyo,” the man greeted. I’m certain there was a smile on his face but I was still staring at his arm. “Aaron, I’ve heard so much about you. My people have been trying to get a meeting with you.”
“I’m sure they have.”
His eyes widened, possibly due to my unfriendly tone.
“Yes,” he pushed on, “I am running for district attorney and as you know–”
“That’s great, but could you do me a favor?” I lifted my gaze to meet his head-on, tilting my head.
He looked to Patience and my hand tightened into a fist. I stepped closer.
