worried he’d notice, so I was actually relieved when my family announced they needed to leave.
At the front door, I waved them off. Dane then slipped his arm around my waist and led me back into the den.
Kent cast me another sheepish smile. “I was happy to meet your father and foster parents, but I still really am sorry we intruded.”
“It’s not a problem,” I told him. “They were glad to finally meet you.”
“What brings you here?” Dane asked him.
“Two reasons,” replied Kent. “They’re not terribly important, but I didn’t want to bother you at work. One, I know you’re already married, but I was wondering if you’d be interested in a post-bachelor-party.”
I snickered. “Dane? Have a party? Oh, you’re funny.”
Dane frowned. “Not everyone’s a party person.”
“Hey, I’m not judging. I have to say, I’m surprised you even agreed to a wedding reception.” I turned back to Kent. “It was Melinda’s idea. I didn’t expect him to roll with it.”
Jen nodded. “Ah, it’s your way of apologizing to her family for eloping.”
“No,” said Dane. “I have no regrets about eloping, and I feel no need to apologize for making Vienna mine so fast.” He tightened his arm around me as he snared my gaze with his. “I want the reception because I want to celebrate the most important day of our lives.”
“We celebrated it plenty, as I recall,” I said with a suggestive note in my tone.
His mouth hiked up at the corner. “But I know you would have wanted a reception. Would have wanted the dress and the flowers and to share the day with the people you love. So I’m giving that to you. It’s important to me that you’re happy.”
Oh, he was so smooth and believable I almost bought it. “Thank you for being so kind and thoughtful.”
“I’m not kind or thoughtful. And you’re the only person who has ever implied differently.”
“Well, you’re nice to me. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone else. I wouldn’t dare shoot your badass rep to shit.”
“Good. Then I won’t tell people you bite your toenails.”
I gaped in horror. “I never bite my toenails.” I didn’t even like feet.
“I didn’t say you do it. But I will say that if you go around telling people I’m kind and thoughtful.”
I gasped. “You wouldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t I?”
“Probably,” I muttered. “Maybe you’re not so kind after all.”
“Glad we understand each other.” Dane cut his gaze back to his brother. “What’s the other reason you came?”
“I have to write a speech for a presentation I’m making next week,” replied Kent. “I was hoping you could read over it and give me a second opinion. Something about it is annoying me, but I can’t quite figure out what it is. I need a fresh pair of eyes.”
“I’ll take a look.”
“I have it on my phone.”
“You can read it to me while I make drinks. Coffee?” he asked me.
I shook my head. “I’m good, thanks.”
He lifted a brow at Jen in question.
She smiled. “Coffee would be great. Two sugars, no milk.”
Dane dropped a kiss on my mouth. “I’ll just be a minute.” He left the room with his brother.
I retook my seat on the sofa, which placed me across from Jen, who sat with her back so straight I would bet it ached.
Crossing one leg over the other, she pasted a smile on her face that didn’t reach her eyes. “Your family seems very nice.”
“They are. I’m lucky.”
She cleared her throat. “I asked your wedding planners if there was any way I could help with the preparations for the reception. They said to ask you.”
“The planners have it all covered, but it’s nice of you to offer.”
She squinted, watching me closely. “You don’t trust me not to sabotage anything,” she guessed.
“No, I don’t.” I saw no need to deny it. I wasn’t being a bitch; I just wasn’t going to insult my intelligence or hers by drumming up silly excuses.
“I suppose I can understand that. But I’m asking you to give me a chance. I just want to make up for what I did and said.”
“Why bother?” I asked without heat. “Let’s be honest here, or we’re not going to get past this. You don’t like me at all. I can feel it in every interaction we have, so why offer to help with the reception plans?”
“Dane isn’t just my brother-in-law, he’s my friend—he has been for a long time. He matters to me. He’s never been angry with me before. Now that he’s giving me the cold shoulder, everything