Page 110 of Jagger

I backed out of his reach. “By telling them you had a little announcement to make.”

“You did not.”

“Yes, I did.” I grabbed my coat, heading out the door before he could grab me.

He waited a few seconds before emerging from the house, as grumpy as ever. “You will get it for this.”

“Promises. Promises.”

Jagger was still grousing as he climbed into the Range Rover, huffing as he started the engine. “Just remember, your hours are numbered.”

“It will be fun. Besides, everyone can use reasons to celebrate.”

I knew I did. Christmas was around the corner and I honestly had no idea how well I’d handle the holiday. Or if I could. Time would tell.

The clock was ticking.

He said very little as he drove, although he kept his hand on my knee. But I was very observant, noticing he continuously glanced into the rearview mirror. He’d also checked his phone several times, never mentioning a word of what he was doing.

Secrets.

I sat back in the seat, trying to calm my nerves. This was a celebration, a beginning of a new life together. I was happy for the couple, even though I was wondering if I’d ever experience something so incredible like marriage again. I refused to allow Joel to sour me on the subject.

As he pulled into Shephard’s driveway, he grumbled another long list of reasons the engagement party was a bad idea. I’d gathered the distinct feeling his bad mood had nothing to dowith the party and more to do with the question hanging over his head.

Would he agree to be his brother’s best man?

“I’ll be right back. Do not go anywhere,” he barked, although his expression softened after peering back at me from the driver’s door.

“Where am I going?”

“Knowing you, anywhere you want.”

I noticed Denise giving him a big hug and whispering something in his ear before they headed to the vehicle.

“Where the hell are we going?” Shephard asked as soon as he slid into the backseat. “And why am I wearing this getup?”

“Are all three of you nothing but grumpy bastards all the time?” I asked.

“Yes,” Denise confirmed. “They are. But that’s why we love them. Right?”

The two of us could laugh while the men bristled. I could also breathe a little easier for tonight. I’d be amongst friends.

“We’re going to a dress-up place,” I told them.

Shephard grumbled just like Jagger always did.

The ride to the restaurant only took a few minutes. For some reason I was thankful for that. It seemed oppressive sitting next to Jagger, as if another shoe was going to fall. When he kept his hand pressed against my back as we walked toward the entrance, constantly scanning the parking lot, my gut told me he was preparing for something to happen.

I sucked in my breath, only able to give him a strange look before walking inside. This was a surprise party after all. I couldn’t pull him aside and grill him on what was going on until later.

At least Jagger took over, mentioning the Fox name for our reservation while I studied the people inside the restaurant. I suddenly had a feeling we were being watched, studied as we were walking toward the back of the location.

My skin was crawling. Although I attempted to tell myself I was being foolish, the ugly sensations remained.

“Right this way,” the hostess told us, heading for a set of closed doors.

“Why do I feel like this is a setup, bro?” Shephard asked.

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