Page 63 of Regards, Mia

“She’s pretty fierce,” Jay says. “And I’m a bit overprotective.”

Brad grins. “If I’m gonna get tossed from a boat, at least it’s byThe Savage.”

So much for Jay’s nickname being too much for my family.

“Brad!” A woman’s voice calls from the lounge. “Get in here before someone spots you.”

Brad rolls his eyes. “It’s Miami, Anna. No one cares about me.”

“Just get in here,” she says. “I’m not in the mood to hide from the paparazzi.”

Brad heads toward his wife with a shrug. “No mystery who wears the pants in this family.” He laughs at his own joke, showing a mouthful of perfect white teeth. “Get it?” he asks, glancing from me to Jay.

“We get it,” I say. “His wife is an underwear model,” I whisper to Jay.

Jay nods. “I don’t live under a rock.”

“Mia!” a voice calls from a few feet away.

I peer over Jay’s broad shoulders to see a man I didn’t expect to confront until much later. “Dad!”

“Your one and only,” Dad says, striding forward to give me a hug. He stops short and glances at Jay. “You’re not going to throw me over, are you?”

Jay’s chin lifts. “No, sir.”

Dad opens his arms, and I give him a hug. He smells exactly as I remember. Tobacco and mint. I’m pleased to note that he feels fit and strong. Dear old dad never lets anything get in the way of his golf game, and it keeps him in shape.

There are a few more lines on his face, but otherwise he looks tanned and healthy. “I thought you weren’t coming until tonight.”

“I was able to get an earlier flight.” He glances between me and Jay, his gaze sharp. “You must be the boyfriend I’ve heard so little about.”

Jay steps forward, extending his hand. “Jay Sanchez,” he says. “Nice to meet you Professor James.”

I’m pleasantly surprised Jay remembers my dad’s profession. Considering he only looked at my printout for a few minutes, I thought the chances of him retaining any of the information were slim.

“It’s Owen,” Dad says. “Let’s leave Professor James back in North Carolina.”

“Happy to leave our jobs back in Mossy Oak.” Jay slips his arm around my waist and squeezes. “Right, ShortCake?”

At the sound of my nickname, I force a smile. Dad is never going to buy this. He knows how much I’ve always hated my height deficit.

To my surprise, Dad nods with approval, a grin on his face. “It’s nice to see Mia so happy.”

Jay’s hand slides up my back to my shoulder. His gaze meets mine, the gold flecks in his brown eyes sparkling in the bright sunlight. “I agree.”

It looks like Jay has passed the first test with flying colors.

But the real test is yet to come. He hasn’t met my mom yet.

CHAPTER 25

Clock’s Ticking

For the first time in a month, I don’t have to worry about Mia. No one is going to hurt her here on the island.

More than likely, I’m the one in danger.

This woman is going to wreck me. Every moment with her makes her harder to resist. And for the next few days, she’s mine. What that means for when we return home, I don’t like to think about. I don’t have to. Not yet.

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