Unfazed by the shenanigans, Reno Swain, Juliette’s husband, approaches me and holds out his hand. “You’re Hale, right?”
“Yeah, Phoenix. I’ve been… working with Jordie.” And fucking her. And falling in love with her.
“I’m Reno, her brother-in-law. The two campaigns you’ve done so far have been great. I knew it would be a good opportunity for her, but I was a little worried because she’s not that into cosmetics. You guys did a good job of making it authentic to her.”
I chuckle. “She helped a lot with that. Let me know her feelings on wearing a fancy dress.”
Reno booms out a laugh. “I bet she did. Hey, we rented out an entire bar for the evening. You’re welcome to join us and party for a while. We hired a babysitting service if you need that for your daughter,” he says, glancing at Reece.
“She’s staying with my dad tonight, but I’ll come to the party. Is it private?”
“It’s invite only, but you’re welcome to bring a date or whatever.”
Yeah, buddy. The only woman I want to date is your sister-in-law.
“I might bring my brother, if that’s okay. He’s in town from London, and he’s staying at my house for a few days.”
He nods and we slap hands. “Sounds good, buddy. Hell, bring your whole family, if you want. We just want to celebrate and have fun tonight, so the more the merrier. As long as you don’t bring any press. Poor Jordie has had enough of them this week, and we want her to be able to relax.”
Reno gives me the address and the password to get in. I want to toss Jordie over my shoulder and carry her off for a private moment, but I also want her to bask in this moment. So I round up my family, and we head for the exit.
I secure Reece into the car seat in Dad’s Escalade and kiss her goodbye, telling her to have fun making cookies tonight. Turning to Remi, I toss him the keys to my SUV.
“You drive. My nerves are shot.” As we make our way through the throng of cars, I ask, “Do you want to go to an after-party with me? Reno Swain invited me and said I could bring someone.”
“Aww, I’m your plus-one?” he croons, and I smack him on the back of his crazy head.
“Do you want to go or not, asshole?”
He grins as we reach my vehicle. “Yep, let’s go get dressed.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Can you just do as you’re told?
Phoenix
Remi and I arrive at Midnight, the bar Jordie’s family rented out, to find the party in full swing. I spot Jordie immediately. She’s on the small dance floor with a few of her teammates as well as Sulley O’Shea, Kamryn Hart, and Kennedy Jeffries. They’re dancing to a club mix of “Waterfalls.” Kennedy’s new husband, Daylen Humblecut, a football player for the Philly Camels, is behind her, grinding against her ass while his hands rest on her prominent baby bump.
“Let’s grab a drink,” Remi says, and we hug one navy-blue wall dotted with stars on the way to the wooden bar. A female bartender checks us both out and rests her ample chest on the bartop. I look away. There’s only one set of tits I want to see, and they’re currently bouncing on the dance floor.
“What can I get you guys?”
My brother chuckles. “Well that’s a loaded question, sweetheart.”Fucking Remi.
She smiles coquettishly at him. “Let me rephrase. What can I get you to drink?” Batting her fake eyelashes, she adds, “For now.”
We order and receive our drinks—and the bartender’s phone number, which Remi pockets—before turning to lean our backs against the bar so we can check out the scene. Jordie has pulled herfathers onto the dance floor, and the two men move awkwardly to the beat, though they’re smiling.
In fact, everyone in the room is smiling. Purple Dragons logos hang from the ceiling along with a big banner proclaiming them the new Super Bowl champions. It’s truly a celebration.
We’re there for about fifteen minutes when Jordie approaches the bar, her eyes widening when she sees me. And then she’s smiling like a loon, and I can only assume I look just as sappy.
“You’re here,” she says, before looking at my brother. “Hi, Remi.”
“Hey, Jordie. Nice game today, though I thought we were going to have to hospitalize this guy.” He slaps me on the shoulder.
“Reno invited us.” I tell Jordie when her gaze returns to mine. “I hope that’s okay.”
