“Too bad he only has eyes foryou,” Jax comments.
“Shut it. Both of you,” I whisper at them. Only two groups now separate us from Owen.
Evan dramatically pretends to zip his lips, and Jax chuckles, his body vibrating against mine.
I smile despite it all. Somehow, their ridiculousness has calmed the pit in my stomach.
When the final group ahead of us disappears into the building, Owen’s voice is deep and low as he addresses me. “How come I’m not surprised you’re wearing red?”
“I guess I’m predictable.”
“May I?” he asks Jax and Evan, holding out his hand.
The two of them give each other a knowing look before shoving me toward Owen. The next thing I know, my hand is tucked into Owen’s elbow, and Jax and Evan are trailing behind us, arms locked and wide grins on their faces.
Owen leans down and whispers in my ear. “You were right.”
“About?”
“The venue. It’s the perfect spot, and the perfect surprise.”
I angle my head toward him and smile at the compliment. He pauses, and his green eyes lock onto my lips, which are painted the color of my dress.
“It is, isn’t it?” I don’t hide my smugness, and Owen's lips turn up, his dimple making an appearance.
“You know, brother, she’s soon to be mine.” Paker’s voice pulls us away from our silent trance, and Owen’s smile turns into a frown.
I’m taken aback for a moment. Owen must not have told Parker about firing me. But why?
“Where’s your date?” Owen growls.
“Parker’s slept with all the eligible women in the Bay Area, and no woman has come back for seconds.” I hadn’t seen Noell come up beside us until those words stole everyone’s attention. She is dressed in a plain black dress. The only eye-catching part of it is the low neckline that shows off her incredible chest.
Evan and Jax try to hide their chuckles at her comment, and I feign a yawn to cover my mouth.
“Pleasure, as always, Noell,” Parker drawls, though his eyes catch on her chest for a brief moment.
She waves him off and continues into the building without another word.
“I hate her,” Parker mumbles.
Owen laughs. “Because she’s right?”
Parker looks at his brother and flips him off. Owen ignores the gesture, and to my surprise, Parker takes my other arm. I’m now sandwiched between them. I almost miss Owen’s eye roll.
“I feel like Nova just upgraded her dates,” Evan interrupts far too loudly, but he doesn’t sound very disappointed.
Owen’s smirk returns at Evan’s comment, and Parker glances behind us.
In the chaos of the moment, I forgot to introduce Parker to Jax and Evan. I stop, halting our entire party right outside the doors to the venue.
“Evan and Jax, this is Parker, Owen’s brother. Parker, Jax is my oldest friend, and this is his boyfriend Evan, who has no filter, especially after an entire bottle of champagne in the limo.”
Evan takes Parker's hand and raises it to kiss his knuckles. Lingering too long.
Parker freezes but does not attempt to pull his hand away. Jax appears amused by Evan’s overly enthusiastic greeting.
“Nice to meet you. It should be a crime for there to be two of you,” Evan comments, finally releasing Parker’s hand.
