Page 43 of Impending Consent

"The one who was a witness at our wedding?"

I nodded. "Jairo. We've been friends since college. Not sure how much you remember from that night."

"Which means he thinks I manipulated you and wants to size me up." She put the sandpaper down. "Perfect."

"You did manipulate me.”

She shot me a murderous look. "Not helpful, Rival."

"Just stating facts, but if it makes you feel better, I walked into this fully understanding what I was dealing with."

"Why would you agree to marry someone who only wanted sex?" The question was abrupt as hell, which had me smiling. I'd asked myself more than once.

"I saw what you didn’t want me to see."

Before she could respond, I heard a car door slam. Jairo got here fast as hell, which meant he lied about how close he was. Sailor squared her shoulders like she was preparing for battle.

"You can relax. It’s not going to be an attack," I said, heading for the door.

"I'm a trial attorney, Rival. I’m not worried about squaring up with your friend."

"That's what I'm afraid of,” I mumbled, leaving the shop.

Jairo was halfway to the two of us when I stopped outside. He had takeout and was smiling like a gotdamn idiot.

"Muthafuckin man of the hour." Jairo extended his free hand to me before turning to Sailor who was behind me. "And you must be the bride. Sober this time?"

"Jairo.”

Sailor just smiled.

"Completely, which means you'll get the full experience this time." She extended a hand. "Sailor Addison-Hassan."

The hyphenated last name was new, but I wasn't about to point that out.

Jairo shook her hand, amused. "Jairo Thompson. Known your husband since we were eighteen and too stupid to know better about shit." He lifted the bag. "Brought lunch. Hope you like Thai."

"Love it.” I'd never seen her eat Thai food,ever.

We made our way back to the house and once we reached the kitchen, Sailor took over, gathering plates and utensils while I helped Jairo unpack the food.

Jairo began once we were seated. "How's the adjustment to married life?"

"Still figuring out our rhythm."

"I know this is a huge ass change. Especially with it being so spontaneous." He looked right at Sail.

"The best decisions are. Think long, think wrong, and besides, when you know, you know."

I nearly choked on my pad thai. Sailor shot me a warning glance before continuing.

"So college roommates, right? Rival told me you both went to Tech?"

"Yeah. Engineering majors with too much time and not enough damn sense. I stuck with it, but my boy found his calling with wood instead of wires and bailed on me."

"He’s good at it so I’m glad."

"The fucking best," Jairo agreed. “What about you? Attorney, right?"

---