Page 224 of Accidental Husband
Said host is currently at the grill, flipping sliced bell peppers with a pair of green tongs, his girlfriend by his side.
They spot us and nod hello. Then they turn to each other, whisper something, turn back with a smile.
Jules laughs. "Do they think they're subtle?"
"Pretty sure they do." I wave to them.
Dean nodshey. Chloe forces a smile. Nods a more awkwardhi, we totally weren't talking about you. We'd never…
"You'll have to forgive my brother. He thinks he's charming." Ryan, one of the co-owners of Inked Hearts and Dean's older brother, nods hello. He's donned entirely in black—Converse, jeans, t-shirt, tattoos. "Congratulations."
Jules shakes. "Thanks."
"How's married life treating you?" he asks.
"Good." It really is.
He turns to Jules and raises a brow.
She nods. "It's different. But good."
Ryan offers me his hand.
I shake. I know better than to go for a hug. The guy hates when people touch him. With one exception:
His girlfriend Leighton rushes to meet us. She's Ryan's opposite—loud, outgoing, stylish. He calls her his punk rock princess. Which is adorable and cheesy and totally fitting.
Between her row of ear piercings, her thick eyeliner, and her hot pink skull print bikini, she's dressed the part.
She's hot. I'm human. I can see that. But she's never interested me.
Even before she and Ryan got together, she was his. She was crazy about him. They were best friends, and he was oblivious, and, well, I guess I sympathize with both of them.
She beams. "It's so romantic. The pictures were beautiful." She squeezes her boyfriend. "Tell me you have more pictures."
He chuckles. Just barely blushes. "Not here."
"Of course here." She brushes a purple strand behind her ear—Leighton has been rocking purple hair for ages now—then offers me a hug. "You're being good to her?"
"Fuck, I just got here," I say.
"Are you?" Her green eyes fix on me. They get serious. Intense.
"I don't know. Am I?" I slide my arm around Jules's waist.
Jules presses her lips to one side. Scratches her head like she's thinking hard. "Hmm… well, you did buy me three matchas."
I nodtrue.
"And you, um,ahem, during our shower." She blushes.
"Go on…" I run my fingers over her side.
Her blush deepens. "Ryan and Leighton don't want to hear about our sex life."
Ryan nodsplease no.
Leighton nodsplease yes. She nudges her boyfriend. "He does. He's just shy."
