Page 79 of Recklessly, Wildly Yours

“Good.” With one last kiss that he seems very reluctant to walk away from, he’s gone.

I check my texts.

Unknown number: Hi Madeline, I’m Jenna, Kristen’s sister. She’s sent me a brief of what you need for the lunch. I’m attaching some photos of dresses I have on hand. Let me know if any would work and I can have them to you in fifteen minutes. I can also have hair and makeup people to you in about twenty minutes if you need that. They work super fast, so you’d make the lunch in time because we both know these things never begin on time.

Me: Wow. This is amazing. Thank you, Jenna!

I’m so impressed with her from just this one text. And when I check out the dress options, I decide I need her on my team if she’s got any openings. She’s sent through three options and I know instantly that they are all perfect for my shape. The one I love the most is a timeless and romantic navy gown with an asymmetric neckline, a built-in corset to snatch the waist, gathered detailing, and a slit up one thigh. The bias-cut silk cinches the figure and drapes beautifully.

Me: It has to be the navy gown. It’s stunning.

Jenna: That would be my choice too. Would you like me to arrange hair and makeup also?

Me: Yes, please. Thank you. I appreciate all of this.

Jenna: I’m really happy to do it. I’ll see you soon.

True to her word, Jenna arrives fifteen minutes later with the gown. Hair and makeup arrive shortly after, and then two security guys turn up. I walk into the lunch almost on time, catching Ethan’s eye as I make my way to his family’s table where only two seats remain empty. Mine and his.

Ethan’s busy with Kristen but the way I distract him enough that she has to snap her fingers in his face to regain his attention helps me center myself and shift some of my nerves over seeing his parents today. I met them at Callan’s wedding, but today, I’m spending time with them as Ethan’s girlfriend and I would have rather done that with him by my side.

“Madeline,” Gage welcomes me as I take the seat next to him.

I smile at Ethan’s brother. “Gage. How are you?” I enjoyed his company last night. He’s an interesting guy. Enigmatic with a darker edge than his brothers, from what I’ve picked up so far. Ethan told me that Gage was the one who found the illegal gambling information about Tucker and Darren for Hayden, so that’s made me curious about him. Like, how did he find all of that info? Did he hire someone? Or did he search himself? And why would he do that for me? I would have asked Ethan these questions, but we got sidetracked and I forgot to return to the conversation.

Gage lacks the playful and fun side that Ethan and Callan have, and instead has a dry sense of humor that I like. And there’s an intensity about him that’s like a steady hum of don’t fuck with me and we’ll be good. I get the impression that Gage sees everything in this world. It’s like he’s always watching and waiting, and I wonder what made him that way.

“Better now that you’re here,” he answers my question.

I’m surprised at his response and before I can stop myself, I say, “That’s totally not what I expected you to say.”

“What were you expecting?” He’s watching me intently like he’s looking for clues about me.

“Honestly, I’ve no idea, but I wouldn’t have thought that.”

He lifts a glass of whiskey to his mouth and eyes me over the rim after swallowing some of the amber liquid. “These galas bore me to tears. You’ll distract me from that boredom.”

“So, you’re using me.”

“That sounds accurate.”

I laugh because that statement reminds me so much of Ethan. “Is this a thing all the Black brothers do, or just you and Ethan?”

“What?”

“He’s always saying things like ‘that’s highly inaccurate’ and ‘I would say that’s an incorrect conclusion.’ Did he learn this from you?”

Before Gage can answer, Hayden meets my gaze from the other side of his brother and says, “Any bad behavior of Ethan’s and Callan’s can be directly attributed to Gage.”

My smile is big as I really settle into this conversation. “You’re the one who taught Ethan to break as many rules as possible?” I say to Gage.

“Guilty as charged,” he admits freely.

“What about his propensity for having no safeguards in life?”

“No, that’s not on me.”

“I would agree with that,” Hayden says. “Gage has safeguards all over the place.”

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