Page 15 of Single Greatest Threat
Shaw shrugged. “You said we have to beat Dodge to the altar. We’re running out of time on that one.”
They were, and Joesph hadn’t been serious. “If you want to wait, we can. I’m not trying to rush you.”
Shaw met and held his gaze. “You’re not. I’m rushing you before you come to your senses.”
Joesph tore his gaze away and focused on the invitation again. “What’s this address?”
“It’s a small chapel at a gorgeous winery. They were the only people with an opening. I figured, since we don’t have many people to invite, we didn’t need a huge place anyway. Hopefully, it’s okay. I wanted to surprise you. Plus, I know you don’t need the stress.”
That was true. Any amount of stress caused flares, and Joesph already suffered more than he liked. “Sounds great. Who are we inviting?”
Shaw pulled up a list, proving exactly how hard he had been working on planning. “I figured Dodge’s bunch, since he’s your best friend.”
Joesph cut in. “You’re my best friend. I thought we had that established.”
That goddamn sexy chuckle nearly took him out again. “Okay. Best friend you’re not sleeping with.”
“I’ll accept this compromise.”
They shared a smile before going back to the list. “We have to invite Noir and his husband.”
“Along with an entire royal guard,” Joesph added.
“Yep. Along with them. Your mom. That’s a given.”
“Your parents.”
Shaw didn’t say anything. He kept moving along, naming clients they also considered friends.
Joesph eyed the list. He saw Portland and Tarek as well as another couple Shaw played pickleball with at the club. Hisparents weren’t on the list. “Hold up. Are you not inviting your parents?”
“I’d rather not.”
“Not even your mom?” Joesph was so confused. He knew they had fallen out, obviously, but not inviting them to his wedding seemed a bit much.
Shaw met his stare. His eyes swam with laughter, but it felt fake. “Baby, my mom would totally take over everything. We’d end up waiting a year while she put together a gala. Plus, Dad fired you.”
Joesph shrugged. “And? I planned to quit anyhow.”
“It’s the principle.”
Sometimes, Shaw aggravated the hell out of him. But this wasn’t his fight, and Shaw would do what he wanted. “Will these invitations even arrive on time? Much less have time to be sent out?”
Shaw draped his arm across the back of Joesph’s chair and kissed his temple. “Don’t worry, baby. I have everything under control. You can trust me.”
“I know.”
Shaw kissed him again at the admission.
Joesph smiled so big, it hurt. It fell the second he noticed a familiar set of eyes focused on him. “Oh, no.” The words were out before Joesph could call them back. He regretted it the second he drew attention to the staring contest.
Shaw picked up his water glass and took a drink as if his father wasn’t sitting across the room with the same woman who broke up his marriage.
“Why isn’t she in jail?”
“Dad would have to press charges, and he won’t. If I tried, Dad would just defend her in court and I doubt I could win, considering it was his business first and he basically gave her permission. So, fuck it. It’s whatever.”
Despite his nonchalant tone, Joesph saw the hurt in his eyes. His dad had betrayed his entire family. Joesph focused on the menu while he kept up his side of the conversation. “Why is he staring death daggers at me?”
