“Nope. It was a dumb joke, really. Your brother was being an ass and told me I needed to date someone younger. Kade asked me out, so I went with it. Nothing serious. But from what I’ve seen of him, Kade’s a good guy to the women in his life. If you’re interested, he’s all yours. Jack would probably have more to say about him, but he’d come around.”
“Oh, honey. I don’t need Jack’s approval to date. Besides, I’m only here for a few days, so I can have a little fun, but nothing else.”
I side-eye her. “You never know. Let’s get a seat and you can tell me all the embarrassing stories of Jack’s childhood.”
As the hours pass, more and more people pile in. Word of what happened has spread, and people want to show their support. Sonny, Becky, Kade, and I sit at a table when the door swings open. The man that I have fallen for enters. He takes my breath away, my stomach filling with butterflies and excitement at the sight of him. The club goes crazy, and everyone gives him hugs, high fives, and handshakes. He pushes through the crowd, his eyes narrowing on Kade and then me.
Jack grabs my waist and holds me to him. My hands clutch his as they rest on my stomach. Jack nuzzles into my neck and takes a deep breath. “I missed your smell. God, do you know how much a jail cell wreaks?” He nods to Kade. “I’m not even gone twelve hours, and Kade is trying to take another shot, I see?”
I twist out of his hug and twirl around to face him. “He likes your sister. She is definitely interested.”
Jack lifts his head to stare at his sister. “Hmm. What is Becky doing here?”
“Keeping your girlfriend from losing her mind,” Becky says while raising her coffee cup to him.
Jack leans over to give her a hug. “Thanks for coming.”
He lets her go and gravitates back to me. God, he’s gorgeous, even roughed-up. I smooth his face in my hands and kiss every inch of him, from his cheeks to his forehead and his nose and chin, mapping his contours and memorizing all of his imperfections. “I was so worried. Are you okay?”
“I’m great now that I’m with you.”
Becky rolls her eyes. “Your girlfriend called me. Little sister to the rescue.”
I stiffen. Are we boyfriend and girlfriend? I like that sound of that, but I’m not sure what Jack thinks.
Becky continues, “Thankfully, because we all know you wouldn’t have.”
Jack pecks my cheek. “Well, I’m happy she did, because I missed you. It’ll be nice to get a few extra days with you.”
I relax. I guess Jack didn’t mind the title or want to make a scene.
“We were talking about her fancy art event,” I say.
She blushes. “It’s not that fancy or that big of a deal. But it’ll be a fun evening.”
“Don’t do that, Becks,” says Jack. “You earned this. You are talented, and they wouldn’t have your art shipped here and displayed if they didn’t think it was phenomenal.”
Becky rocks on her stool and says nothing.
Kade swings into Becky’s line of sight. “Are there tickets, or do you need to be invited?” I’d love to go and see your art, if it’s not already sold out.”
Becky rubs her arms, despite the room’s stifling heat. “It’s not sold out. I have tickets, if you really want to go.”
“Yes, I’d love to. I’ve never been to something like that, so if there’s certain etiquette or a dress code I should know, tell me so I don’t look like an idiot.”
She beams at him. “I doubt you could ever look like an idiot.”
Jack clears his throat. “Who else is going? Me, Jessi, I guess Kade. Sonny, you in?”
“I don’t know,” Sonny says.
“Come on. You have to go,” I beg. “It’ll be fun. God knows we could use some fun after the last few days.”
She tosses her head back. “Fine, I’ll go, but you and Becky need to help me figure out what to wear. I’m not buying a dress I’ll wear once.”
“Done,” Becky and I say in unison.
Jack nibbles on my neck, whispering quietly, “The attorney said they don’t have anything for a case. It should get dismissed. There have been some reports about David. His squeaky-clean appearance, which he tries to maintain, is starting to tarnish. Off record, they wanted to know why I went after him. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to give them a reason to question you, and I wasn’t sure how you felt about your situation getting out. We can discuss more at home, but you’re not the only girl David’s done this to, and they have it out for him. Tim has protected him, but I’m handling it. I can tell you’re worried. You don’t need to be. You ready to head out of here? I want you in my bed.”
