"Dex invited me," he says.
Dex raises his glass. "You’re welcome."
"Did you summon my husband?" I ask.
"I alerted him," Dex says.
"You called him," I say.
"I provided a situation report," Dex says proudly.
Gabriel pulls out his phone and shows me the messages.
Dex: Situation report.
Dex: Your wife is being flirted with.
Dex: Sunglasses indoors guy.
Dex: Confidence level extremely high.
Dex: This feels like a husband's job.
I stare at the phone.
"You're unbelievable," I say.
Annabelle tilts her head and grins. "This is exactly how these guys operate," she says. "The team sticks together. Total family energy." She nudges me. "Remember when Dex, Gabriel, Colby and Eli practically staged an intervention for Bryce and me on stage? Same vibe. Honestly, it’s kind of cute."
Mia leans over my shoulder. "And the dramatic entrance was hot."
Harper nods. "Very husbandly energy."
"He drove here because someone tried to spin me on the dance floor," I say.
"Correct," Dex says.
Gabriel looks down at me.
I fold my arms. "You interrupted girls' night."
"Dex made it sound urgent," he says calmly.
"Dex thinks refilling the chip bowl is urgent," Mia says.
I glance at Gabriel. "For the record, I can be trusted in public."
"I know," he says.
That answer takes a little of the edge off my irritation.
"Also," I add, "I was having fun."
"Good," he says. "You should."
I study him for a second. "Where's Maddie?"
"Home," he says. "My mom stopped by tonight. She's still home with her."
