Page 85 of Count On Me

“I’ve got this,” I repeat and take a deep breath. I keep the fan blowing cool air on my face as I finish applying the last of my make up. “I’ve got this.” I say again to my reflection.

“Yeah you do,” Angie shouts back, as we giggle together, a knock interrupts us and Jaxson pokes his head in.

“Our first guests have arrived. I’ll meet you downstairs.” He winks at me and I blush, which makes Angie scoff loudly. My glare makes her grin and she turns to face me and takes my hand in hers.

“Edie, I’m so happy for you and I’m so proud of you too. You did it. Now go out there and enjoy your party. I’ve got everything covered, I promise. You ready?” I nod and she leads me out and onto the landing to meet my future husband.

“I expect that kind of betrayal from a Brady, but not from you.” Angie pouts at me while Jaxson rolls his eyes.

“Shut up, Angie. We Brady’s are a very loyal bunch. I never gave Penny your number. That’s loyalty.” He sips his drink witha smirk on his face as I raise my brow questioningly at them both.

“That’s not loyalty, idiot. You’re just scared of me.” She chuckles and sips her drink as I smile at the casual banter between them both.

“I’m not scared?—”

“Puh-lease,” she interrupts him with a smirk on her lips as he throws his hand up in surrender.

“What d’you expect? You threatened bodily harm on way too many occasions and I thought you hated me.” He pushes his bottom lip out and I step closer to him and rub my hand on his back.

“She never hated you. Tell him, Angie.” I glare at her but she shakes her head and cackles.

“Oh, I did. And I’m still not pleased my bestie is engaged to a Brady, but I can accept it and move on. I mean, I did make it happen after all.” Her smugness knows no bounds and I shake my head at her.

“You did not. This was all me. I planned the grand gesture and got the house. All me, baby.” Jaxson’s arm snakes around my waist and he pulls me closer to his side. The comfortable way he touches me makes my heart sing. He claims me in front of everyone and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Angie looks bored and inspects her nails which I know means she's about to strike a lethal blow and ruin his argument. I sip my drink in anticipation, enjoying the comfortable comradery between them. “One word, Jaxson. TOM.” He splutters his drink and she smiles in victory. “Without him, you’d still have your head up your arse, convinced that you andEddiewere nothing but friends. You’re welcome. And as payment for my good deeds, I’m godmother to all future offspring. No arguments.”

Jaxson grins and his dimples pop as he nods his head, offers his hand, and tells her ‘deal.’ As his hand engulfs hers, he pullsher into a hug and I have to swallow down the emotion that's clogging my throat.

“Ew, Brady germs. Get off, you dick.” She tries to push him away but he just squeezes her harder.

“Now, I take offence to that. Not all Bradys have germs. Just Jaxson.” Jenson steps next to his brother and I laugh and shake my head. “Hey, sis.”

I grin as I step into his embrace and giggle when he lifts me up and spins me on the spot. Jenson’s beard tickles the side of my cheek and I swat at his arms to put me down.

“Hey, swapsies?” Jaxson shoves Angie in Jenson’s direction and snatches my hand, pulling me into him.

“I’ve got no complaints with that at all.” His eyes flick over Angie, his gaze lingering a little too long. He smiles, the same slow sexy smile Jaxson has, and I turn my shocked face toward my friend.

Only to find her glaring back at him, her normally cool and calm self seething with anger as my eyebrows grow closer together in confusion.

“I’ve been trying to get a conversation with Miss Angie all evening.”

“And you can’t take a hint?” Angie’s tone is scathing, as is the look she gives him, before turning on her heels and stomping off.

“What was that about?” I turn my worried expression to Jenson but he just shrugs his shoulders.

“Jameson and Penny both send their apologies for not being here. Jonathan went in for surgery yesterday and Penny couldn’t get out of work. She tried her hardest, but her normal replacement is on maternity leave.” Jenson casually fills us in as his eyes scan the room and I know he’s following Angie.

“So you’re not going to tell me why my bestie just gave you daggers before stomping off? Jenson Brady, if you’ve hurt her…” He holds his hands up in surrender and Jaxson cuts me off.

“Babe, Angie’s more than capable of killing anyone who hurts her. Maybe she just doesn’t like the look of this gorilla. It’s not that deep.” He looks pointedly at Jenson who throws him an appreciative look.

“It’s all cool, Edie. We’ll be dancing at your wedding before you know it. Don’t sweat it.” He glances over my head, frowns, and excuses himself from the conversation.

“Should I go after Angie?” Worry settles in my belly as the words fall from my lips.

“No, I think we should leave them to it. Angie scares the shit outta me. She can take Jenson.”

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