Page 27 of Tactically Tied

“Everyone came for the food but stayed for the drama. It was like our own personal food war.”

Standing behind his wife, Noah smirked and shot a glance at Jami standing off to the side. “Little did we know one day a Chou would marry a Winchester. Guess some things really do come full circle.”

Jacqui leaned back into her husband's embrace, pressing a kiss to his chin. Jules' hands were entwined with Fish, who leaned stood like a solid wall behind his wife. The two were always close, always touching.

Jed wasn’t interested in the interview or his in-laws. His eyes tracked to Jami. She stood off to the side, watching her sisters.

Crossing the space between them, he grabbed her hand and tugged her away from the crowd, ignoring the surprised glances and murmurs that followed. He pulled her out of the door and behind the restaurant, into the small alleyway where they were hidden from prying eyes and cameras.

And then he kissed her. Because he could. And because she let him.

The kiss was fierce, hungry, filled with all the things he’d been holding back for far too long. He poured every emotion into it—the fear, the longing, the need. He felt her tense in his arms, felt the stiffness in her body, but he didn’t stop. He couldn’t. Not until he had made her understand how much she meant to him.

But then, he felt the resistance, the hesitation. He broke the kiss, breathing hard, his hands still cupping her face, holding her close. Her eyes searched his. It wasn't fear he saw, it was longing. But for what? Whatever it was, he would give it to her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice rough, his chest tight as he looked at her, trying to read her thoughts, her emotions.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Jami stood off to the side, watching her sisters with their husbands. The four of them were laughing and joking with the producer. Jules snuggled into Fish’s side while Jacqui leaned against Noah, the picture of domestic bliss. It was a scene straight out of a small-town postcard. The cameras were eating it up. But unlike her and Jed, the others weren't pretending.

Sure, Jami had seen this before. She'd witnessed the love and support her sisters found in their partners in video calls while she was overseas, each morning she'd been home when they snuck kisses over breakfast, each evening when they stopped listening to her while looking at each other with bedroom eyes.

It hadn't bothered her. It made her happy that her sisters had found their perfect matches. But for some reason, today the sight of their bonds struck her differently.

A knot tightened in her chest as she realized the reason why. Jami had been running. Running from the idea of settling down, of putting down roots. She knew she'd been running. She hadn't allowed herself to see the reason why. Because she was afraid.

Jami was afraid that commitment would mean losing her independence, her freedom to chase her dreams. She had spent years convincing herself that love and community came with a price tag—one she wasn’t willing to pay. But then came Jed.

Being with Jed had shaken up her entire world. He challenged her, pushed her, but he also made her feel like she could have it all. Like that price tag didn’t have to come at the cost of her dreams. But was it real? Or was it just for the cameras?

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted as Jed came up to her. She felt the warmth of his body, the scent of his cologne—earthy with that hint of all spices—wrapping around her. Without a word, he leaned in and kissed her. His lips were soft yet demanding, pulling her into the moment, making everything else fade away. It was the kind of kiss that stole breath and thoughts. But it didn’t steal her doubts.

Jed broke the kiss. He pulled away, his eyes searching hers. Concern furrowing his brow. “What’s wrong?”

It was a demand. It was always a demand with Jed Winchester. It always had to be his way. Except he'd bent for her. He'd compromised. He'd listened and made her feel heard, even when he didn't want to give in. But was it real?

Jami glanced over his shoulder. The red recording lights from the cameras blinked back at her like a thousand accusing eyes. Jed turned his head slightly, following her gaze. His jaw tightened. She felt the tension take root in his big body. He pulled her close, angling his large frame so that it blocked her from the camera's intrusive glare.

Jed opened his mouth… but Rick's voice came out.

"Are you two having an argument?" asked the producer.

Jed clamped his mouth shut.

"Let me get another camera out here and we can reset to catch it."

"We're not arguing," said Jed.

"Well, fake it so we can stage a make-up scene."

Jed pinched the bridge between his nose with one hand, still holding on to Jami with the other. "Rick."

"Yeah, Jed?"

"Can you give me a moment with my wife?"

"You signed a contract that?—"

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