Page 57 of Love, Always and Forever
Great, now he had three men glaring at him as if he’d just sprouted a second head. “That’s not what I said.”
Not exactly, anyway.
Jack crossed his massive arms across his chest and set his feet in a wide stance. “Then what did he say?”
Tino sighed and gave Mikhail a quick glance that looked a bit like an apology. “He’s having some of the same trouble you and I had believing that we deserve a little happiness in our lives. That it’s okay to let someone in.”
Jay was looking pretty uncomfortable with the whole discussion. “Look, maybe I should go tell the women the three of you are arguing over your favorite microbrew or something else equally stupid. Right now Amy and your mom are both frowning big-time. If someone doesn’t head them off, one of them is sure to come poking her nose in the middle of this conversation.”
Mikhail pegged him with a hard look. “Go ask Amy to dance. I don’t want her getting curious and coming over here to see what’s going on.”
The Seal studied him a minute and then nodded. “Will do.”
Jack waited until he walked away before speaking again. “I’m going to keep this short and sweet, Mikhail. You’ve got nothing to apologize for about your background or how you’ve lived your life. If you think you have a shot at any kind of happiness with that woman, don’t blow it because of whatever baggage you’re still toting around in that thick skull of yours.”
His eyes had darkened to the color of jade as he glared first at Tino and then back at Mikhail. “Now, kiss and make up. I’m going to go dance with my wife.”
Tino looked marginally happier. “What he said.”
Then he punched Mikhail on the arm hard enough to bruise and walked away. He watched his brothers seek out their wives with a great deal of envy. They’d both gone through hell and come through it, not exactly unscathed, but stronger for the experience. He really wished he could believe he could do the same. The only way he’d ever know was if he mustered up the courage to share his truth with Amy. Maybe she’d realize the smart thing would be to walk away. But then again, maybe not.
The song was ending. He’d go reclaim his date from Jay and see where the rest of the evening would take them.
