Page 116 of Their Greatest Strength

“And where am I on that list?”

I let loose a low laugh and haul her toward me with a hand on her nape. She grins, catching herself with two hands to my chest.

“There is no list. My only priority is you,” I murmur, leaning in to kiss her?—

“Oh, my God. You’re Jamieson Bateman.”

“Can I get a photo?”

“Wait, are you Blakely?”

“It’s the both of you!”

Two voices appear, forcing me to miss out on kissing my wife. She turns her head to look at the women, and I follow suit, trying to keep my grumpiness from showing.

“It’s totally you! I can’t believe it. See, I told you we could be a few minutes late,” the incredibly tall one says to the shorter, black-haired one, already pulling her camera app open.

Our cab is crawling up the curb toward us, leaving only a few seconds before we’re free.

Blakely looks at the two girls and fusses with her hair. I’m more than aware of the red lip gloss that must be all over my neck, but seeing the women notice has me drifting toward arrogantly happy.

“Yes, I’m Jamie, and this is Blakely,” I tell them, already starting to pull us in the direction of the cab.

The tall woman’s eyes light up. “I just want to say that I think your love is so awesome. I’ve had such a crush on Jaxon Hayes for, like, ever, and I never expected a fan like me to?—”

“Ignore her. She doesn’t get out much. We’ll leave you alone,” the black-haired friend says with a winced smile.

Blakely doesn’t let her haul the tall woman away before saying, “If you like him, go for it. He’s a really nice guy.”

A really nice guy?Excuse me?

I don’t bother hiding my scowl, and when one of the women giggles, I find her staring right at me.

“That’s cute. You really are in love with each other.”

It’s second nature to go along with what she’s said. “I’m insanely in love with her. Which is why I have to get us out of here before we draw attention and lose our chance.”

“Right! I’m so sorry.” The tall woman moves to pocket her phone, but Blakely shakes her head.

“I can take a picture of you with Jamie, if you want,” she offers.

The woman smiles softly. “Actually, could I get one with both of you?”

“Oh. Of course,” Blakely says, eyes wide as they flash up at me.

I encourage her to stand beside the woman, and then her friend takes her phone, waving at us to get close. Blakely keeps a hand on my back as I toss mine over her shoulder, taking in her nervous smile when the flash goes off.

The woman rushes off to look at the photo as our cab honks its horn, done waiting.

“Have a good night, ladies,” I say, nodding at the cab driver.

The women stare at us for a beat more before the black-haired one drags her friend into the line for the club. Blakely releases a tight breath and walks in time with me to the cab.

“They love you,” I say.

She dismisses me with a shake of her head. “They came for you.”

“Maybe. But it was you they stayed for.”

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