“Obsessed? Come on.” Brayden leaned down to whisper, “I’ll miss having total control over what you learn about me.”
Scarlett looked at him, and his eyes were twinkling. He was probably buzzed too.
James chuckled. “It was always ‘Scarlett this’ and ‘Scarlett that.’ He practically lived in Dad’s study. Never seen him as happy as he was when she broke up with that boyfriend.”
Scarlett laughed, warming at the reminder of their long-standing feelings for each other. She still couldn’t believe he’d been pining hard for her too.
But then Beni spoke up.
“When Scarlett was seventeen, shebeggedManon to take her to Clair de Lune to meet Brayden. She wassomoody when Manon told her no.”
“Beni!” hissed Scarlett. She was surprised he remembered, given he was seven at the time.
Beni cackled so loud the other patrons turned to see what all the ruckus was about.
“Teenage longing! That’s sweet,” said Keeley, tilting her head to one side.
Brayden pulled her closer. “Is that true?”
She bit her lip, trying not to smile. “Yes.”
His arm around her sent a thrill through her. Touching him was still such a novelty.
“Scarlett, are you aware you married thebadMaddox brother?” asked Minnie.
“How’s he the bad one? I don’t think he’s the bad one.” She leaned into Brayden, her worries disappearing further under the surface with every sip of gin.
“There’s a reason James is the one joining Parliament,” said Keeley. “James was always the good child—top marks in school, never got in trouble, volunteered, cared about the world. Brayden is successful too, don’t get me wrong, but he’s always been a bad boy.”
“Oy, I care about the world,” said Brayden.
“What do you mean, ‘bad boy’?” asked Scarlett. Her nerves couldn’t handle some big, unpleasant revelation about him the day of their wedding. She chided herself internally. SheknewBrayden. He was good.
“He started a fight club at our school,” said Keeley as Minnieadded, “He drinks like a fish.”
Scarlett’s shoulders slumped with relief. “Is that all? I like a drink too.”
“You know, I’m only twenty-two.” Brayden sounded disgruntled. “Aren’t I allowed to keep evolving and surprising people? Can’t I still grow up to be a politician if I want to?”
“Not here,” said Minnie. “I think that ship sailed the day you got caught setting the lake on fire.”
“You set the lake on fire? That’s awesome!” said Beni.
James tapped Beni on the shoulder and pointed to a pool table on the other side of the room. Beni followed him over there, leaving Brayden and Scarlett with Minnie and Keeley. The music became louder and the lights dimmed in preparation for the switch from after-dinner crowd to late-night.
“How did you do that?” Scarlett looked at him in wonder.
The corners of his mouth turned down. “For the record, I was sixteen and immature, and I dumped alittlegas into the water and lit it just to see what would happen. Nothing dangerous.”
“We should have known then he’d be a firebird,” said Minnie.
“The flames were high enough that they were licking some of the tree branches hanging over the edge of the lake,” said Keeley. “He had to call for help to save the trees, and it tookfivepeople using their magic to put the fire out.”
Scarlett scrunched her nose up. “That’s hilarious.”
Lachlan cleared his throat behind them. “Sorry to interrupt, but Manon and I are going to head home.”
“Should we come with you?” asked Scarlett. An odd mix of trepidation and anticipation filled her at the idea of being alone with Brayden. There was so much tension between them and—on her side at least—so much attraction it almost hurt.
