I walk toward Finn, knowing that this is the kind of shit I’ve been trained to handle.My SEAL specialty was close-quarter combat and methods of entry.I’ve got what it takes to manage one large and overly involved Groomzilla.
I reach Finn, grab him by both the shoulders, and lock my eyes on his.“What needs to be done next, Finlay?”
He blinks, focusing.“The chairs.”
“What chairs?”
“The reception chairs need to be wrapped in tulle.”
“Ah, of course.And where might these chairs be?”
His brow furrows.“In the indoor training arena!The staging area for the reception!Where else would they be?”
“Of course.My bad.”
I look around.Evergreen boughs, white pillar candles, and crystal cylinder vases are stacked everywhere.A giant tangle of glitter-encrusted twigs covers the dining table.Hundreds of useless silver balls in a variety of sizes have rolled all over the hardwood floors.
And a giant-assed hot glue gun has dripped all over the kitchen island, which is going to be a complete bitch to clean up.
But at least I don’t see any decorative gourds, because that’s where I draw the line—one gourd and I’d have to burn the place to the ground.
I give Finn’s back a reassuring pat.“We’re on it, brother.”
Cal and I make our way to the arena, leaving Declan with Finn, a situation Declan isn’t happy about.If looks could kill…
“You were right.It’s an emergency,” I tell Cal.
“Told you.”
“It’s like a heat-seeking missile hit a Hobby Lobby in there.”
“Yeah.”
About an hour later, I give up.I’ve tried my best, but Cal is far better and faster than I am at wrapping chairs in tulle.His fabric is straighter, his twists are tighter, and his bows are fluffier than mine.
“Welp,” I say, placing the fabric sheers on the folding table.I stretch out my arms and yawn.“I’ll be back.I’m going to check on Emma.”
“Liar.You’re never coming back.”Cal’s squinty eyes follow my progress to the huge double doors, and he yells, “Does ‘no man left behind’mean nothing to you?”
CHAPTER 8
Phoebe
“Let me go instead.”
“Why?I’m perfectly fine!”
Jake frowns.“You just finished a double shift, Pea.Let one of us drive the supplies out.It’s getting seriously cold.”
“And I am wearing seriously warm gear.See?”I gesture like a game show hostess to my weatherproof coveralls, then strike a pose.“Three layers underneath.Insulating liner under the helmet.Practicalandfashionable!”
He isn’t amused.
“You worry too much.Seriously, you need a girlfriend so you can start obsessing abouthersafety instead of mine.”
He laughs and shakes his head.
“And anyway, you’re Mom’s right-hand man.I’ve got this.Go spend some time with Daddy, too—he’s missed you a lot, you know.”
