Page 71 of Their Greatest Strength

“That’s fine. There aren’t many choices we have to make since we’re not doing a reception. Only the flowers and decorations for the ceremony. Specifically, flower arrangements and fabric for the bows on the chairs,” I explain.

“Tony explained it well, then?”

“He did.”

Jamie nods before taking a drink from his tall glass of orange juice. His top lip is shiny when he says, “I told my parents about the wedding yesterday before the game and said we’d come over today so you could meet them beforehand.”

I sit with that, letting it hit me fully. Once it does, I’m panicking all over again. My nerves are completely shot after yesterday, and now this? It’s a miracle I manage to keep my tongue from lashing out.

“You could have run that by me first,” I bite out.

He grows still, glass in his hand. “I know. I’m sorry. I’ve beenstruggling with blindsiding them, and I offered without thinking about how it would affect you.”

“What exactly did you tell them?”

“That I met a special girl and decided to marry her.”

My pulse throbs in my neck. “And did they believe you?”

“Not yet.”

Not yet.

I stare down at the plate of crepes in front of me and frown when my appetite makes no sign of appearing. Other than the burgers Nate asked if we could get on the way home from the game last night, I haven’t eaten. The crepes were quick and easy to make while Jamie set the table and attempted to wake Nate up.

My little brother refused, leaving Jamie and me alone for breakfast.

I’ll admit that it’s gotten easier to be around Jamie. He gives me my space and doesn’t push me too much unless, with the help of his apparent superpowers, he can read me well enough to be sure that I’ll let it slide. Things have gotten . . . comfortable recently. I don’t mind him hanging out around me or having random conversations about stupid, pointless things, and we’re not even married yet.

“What time are we supposed to be there?” I ask tightly, not letting him off too easily, even if I can’t fault him for wanting to warn his parents about this.

One of the things I’ve learned about him is that his family is an important part of his life. I can’t imagine that lying to them would be easy. It wouldn’t have even been possible for me to do it to Nate.

“If Mom had it her way, she’d have had us there from the moment we woke up.” I must look straight terrified at the idea of that because he quickly adds, “I talked her down to after lunch. Figured it would be less overwhelming if we didn’t have to have a sit down at the table with nowhere for us to run.”

Nodding, I swallow and watch as he nervously digs his fork into the middle of his pile of crepes.

“Is Nate allowed to come?”

“He’s allowed to come anywhere, anytime. Always, Bandit.”

I flash a soft smile. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me for that.”

“I already did.”

“It wouldn’t kill you to let me win from time to time, you know?”

“Where’s the fun in losing?” I ask.

With a loud laugh, his eyes crinkle at the corners. It’s a good look on him. The best, actually. Being able to feel and accept such an open happiness is special.

Once he’s quieted, he scoots his chair forward and taps a finger to the side of his glass. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about the cooking you do. First, there was the pot pie in the fridge and then the homemade lasagne the other night, and now crepes for breakfast. Maybe I’m just reading into it, but I’m starting to think that you like to feed people.”

“Is there a question somewhere in there?”

“Alright, Ms. Hardball. Do you have a passion for cooking?” he asks pointedly.

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