Page 41 of Wed to You-
“Jagger.” Drake extended his hand.
Jagger shook it and said hello. He’d known Drake in New York, not as friends, but as acquaintances that sometimes ran into each other at events. It had been a surprise to Jagger, as well as to most who knew Drake, when he’d left the Big Apple to marry Lexie. Jagger knew most felt the same about him leaving his life of partying to settle down in Virginia to raise Kaden.
“I wasn’t sure you’d be here.” Lexie’s words said one thing, whileher eyes asked Chelsea another. After all, she’d found them in a very intimate situation.
Chelsea hadn’t answered his plea and while she’d shown up at the fair, it was clear she was having second thoughts. So Jagger held back from putting on a show, waiting for Chelsea to make the first move.
“Jagger!” Kaden ran toward the roller coaster exit where they’d been watching and waiting. “Can I go again? Please.”
Jagger smiled, glad he could keep Kaden occupied. “Sure. I’ll take you—”
“I can do it. I go in right there.” Kaden pointed to where the carny stood only a few yards away. Jagger scanned the area for Tanya and any other questionable-looking figures.
“Okay.” He nodded as he pulled the strip of tickets they’d bought when they’d entered the fair from his pocket and handed Kaden five of them. “Don’t get sick though.”
“I won’t.” Kaden grabbed the tickets and ran to the ride’s entrance. Jagger watched until Kaden was in the train.
“He’s grown.” Drake nodded toward Kaden.
“It goes fast.”
“So you didn’t have to work after all?” Lexie brought the conversation back to what was ripe in her mind.
Jagger inhaled as he waited for Chelsea’s response.
She looked at him. Her eyes filled with uncertainty, and Jagger felt a sense of disappointment.
“I guess we don’t have to hide it anymore.” Chelsea turned her attention back to Lexie and Drake. “Jagger and I have been seeing each other for some time now.”
For the second time that day, relief and gratitude washed through him. Chelsea put her arm through his. He covered the hand that rested on his arm with his other hand and gave a slight squeeze to let her know how appreciative he was.
“I know I told you differently before, but we were keeping itunder wraps.”
“Why?”
Jagger’s relief continued as he saw pleasure at the news instead of concern in Lexie’s features. Of course, she’d only told them they were seeing each other, not that they were engaged.
“It wasn’t appropriate for me to date Jagger since Kaden was in my class. So nobody knows.”
“Oh, they know now.” Lexie laughed. “Mrs. Crosby and old lady MacAulay made a point to tell me they saw you two in an ‘intimate embrace,’” Lexie said, using air quotes. “Does Mitch know?”
“Do I know what?” Mitch and Sydney stepped up from behind Chelsea to join the group..
Chelsea tensed and Jagger hoped it was to steel herself to stand up to him.
She inhaled. “Jagger and I have been seeing each other. Dating.” As expected, Mitch turned a dark gaze on Jagger that said, “I told you to stay away.”
“Oh, how nice.” Sydney smiled; either she didn’t know or didn’t hold her husband’s opinion of Jagger.
“I thought so too.” Lexie directed her comment toward Mitch
“Why the big secret?” Mitch couldn’t hide his angry undertone.
“Not because we were trying to hide from you.” Chelsea exuded a bravado that made Jagger look at her in surprise. “Don’t think I don’t know you tried to keep us apart, Mitch McKenna. I’m grateful for all that you’ve done for me, but I’d appreciate it if you’d stay out of my love life.”
The word “love” hung in the air. Lexie grinned while Drake and Sydney looked perplexed.
Mitch’s jaw tightened. “Are you happy?”
