“Well, that was fun,” she said sarcastically. Then she palmed her husband’s face with one hand affectionately, her tone changing to a mixture of tenderness lined with a hint of teasing. That was Alley for you. “Thanks for going to bat for me, baby. You could have just borrowed the one out of the car.”
Landon shook his head at her playfully and leaned in to claim her lips right there in front of the whole room. Theyweren’t the only ones, though. Summer was showing her husband the same appreciation.
An ache settled in the pit of my stomach as I watched them and all the couples who were clearly very much in love.
I want that.
Jett let go of my hand, and I fought the urge to grab it back. He looked conflicted and a bit uncomfortable but was pulling away. Unsure what to do, I scanned the group, and my eyes met River’s.
She’d been so kind to me the day we’d found out Jett was missing, and from what Capri had said—since she was in counseling with her for a while—she was an amazing therapist. Her captivating eyes, the color so exquisite, softened with sympathy.
As if sensing I needed a distraction, she came over. “Patience, you look absolutely breathtaking.”
Once the other ladies heard her, they all descended around me and began to chatter. Soon, everyone was complimenting each other on their dresses, hair, and makeup. And it didn’t escape my notice that we all wore our necklaces that were identical.
They helped put me at ease, but I still felt the loss of Jett by my side as he stepped away and moved to talk with the guys. I couldn’t keep my gaze from seeking him out every few minutes, though, and when I looked up the last time, he was watching me.
His dimples winked at me briefly when his mouth turned up slightly to give me a small smile. That simple look sent butterflies fluttering in my belly and my face warming. I glanced down at the floor to divert my gaze, willing myself not to make a fool of myself by turning beet red at just one glance from the man.
I raised my head but looked toward the women, trying to avoid that knowing look of his. He could see right throughme. Problem was, all the women’s expressions as I met their gazes said they could, too.
At least nobody called me out on it. That in itself was no easy feat with these ladies. I sensed they wouldn’t always keep their mouths zipped throughout the night. Well, maybe some of them, but others, nope, that would pose too difficult for sure.
My eyes strayed to Alley, and I almost burst out laughing. Her eyes twinkled, and she looked about ready to burst at the seams to say something, but she restrained herself by some miracle.
However, the evening was just beginning, and Landon and Summer’s parents had already started it off with a bang, so there was no telling what was to come.
Chapter Fourteen
JETT
Her hand on my leg in silent support had a dual effect.
It helped ground me as the guys threw out an offer I wasn’t expecting and also sent my pulse rising because her touch was something I was addicted to.Alwayshad been. I’d missed it while I was away in the military, and I tried to keep my distance now, but…
It was getting harder and harder to do.
The last thing I ever wanted to do was cause Patience any heartache.
“So, what do you think?” Braxton asked.
Shit, I wasn’t sure what all I missed while I was relishing the feel of Patience’s touch and thinking about her. I met his gaze with a confused expression on my face.
He smirked. “I have trouble concentrating when Jurnee’s at my side, so I get it.”
It took a second for his words to sink in—clearly the girl next to me was seriously messing with my head—but when they did, I turned to look at Patience. The blush on her cheeks was adorable. She didn’t even realize how beautiful she was, which just made her more attractive.
“I’m a lucky man.”
Patience sucked in a breath, her fingers tightening on my thigh. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud for everyone to hear, but I wasn’t about to take it back.
Little sounds went up around the table, but I didn’t take my eyes off the woman next to me. She wasn’t just blushing any longer; she was bright red, and I found myself following the color down her chest, wondering just how far it went.
When I heard the guys chuckling, I looked away from Patience and around the table. Now every one of them was smirking.
Well, shit.
“What was it you were saying?” I asked Braxton, trying to deter him and the others from the little scene I’d caused—even if, technically, it was his fault for bringing attention to the fact I’d been distracted.
