If We Dare - J.H. Croix Page 0,7

how the wedding goes.”

“Fine, fine,” I muttered as I turned and picked up my work gloves from where I’d set them on the windowsill. “What are you doing out here anyway? I didn’t think you were working today.”

“Oh right. Came out to check with you guys about the schedule for the crew. I need to go out of town in two weeks. Can one of you cover for me?”

“I got it,” I replied quickly. “You can cover for me when I’m at the wedding.”

“When’s that?”

“Next weekend.”

“You’ve got a deal, man,” Dawson replied with a nod. “Just so you know, I’d cover for you anyway.” He pushed away from the doorframe with another grin and a wink. “Catch y’all later.” He stepped back through the open doorway with a wave.

Jackson and I got back to work, and I resisted the urge to ask any further questions about Jade. My curiosity about her was steadfast and rising. I made a mental note to check on the room situation at the hotel.

Chapter Five

Jade

“What?” Lucas asked. My older brother punctuated his question with a whip of his head in my direction and one of his dark brows slashing up.

Shocked was the only way to describe his one-word question. I picked up a slice of apple covered in peanut butter—my niece’s afternoon snack—and popped it in my mouth as I nodded.

“You’re going to a wedding with Walker?” Lucas asked slowly. He slid his hand over the counter, brushing away crumbs from the sandwiches he’d been assembling for Rylie, his daughter and my adorable niece. Turning, he dusted his hands over the trashcan and leaned his hips against the counter as he surveyed me.

“Yeah, that’s what I said. Is that a problem? And why are you looking at me like that?”

Lucas cocked his head to the side, his green eyes, so similar to mine, narrowing. “Uh, maybe because I can’t remember the last time you went on a date. Not to mention, a wedding seems kind of like a big event. I’m guessing you left out the fact that you and Walker have been dating for a while. I’m so confused I’m not even sure if I should be pissed off at him.”

“Oh my God, Lucas. You’re totally overreacting.” I shook my head slowly. “It’s not a real date. It’s a fake date. He needs a favor, so I told him I’d help out.”

Lucas gave his head a shake. “A fake date?”

“What’s a fake date?” Rylie asked as she came bouncing into the living room adjacent to the kitchen. She skipped her way over to me before snatching up a slice of apple with peanut butter and popping it in her mouth.

“That’s a very good question,” Lucas said.

I bit back a sigh. I suppose I should’ve explained better and considered that my ever curious niece might appear with nosy questions.

“Okay. It’s a date, but we’re not dating. Romantically speaking,” I explained.

Rylie finished chewing and leaned over to reach for the napkins in the center of the table. I stretched my arm out, nudging the stack in her direction. After wiping her mouth, she angled her head to the side. Like Lucas and me, Rylie had almost black hair and green eyes. Unlike me, her hair had a bit of a curl to it like her father’s.

Rylie narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. “I don’t understand,” she said, her solemn tone almost making me laugh aloud.

“Walker’s a friend,” I said, looking between them. “He did me a favor the other night and helped me out with a situation at the bar. I told him I’d be happy to return the favor. He needs a date to a wedding, so I’m going.”

This was all starting to seem rather ridiculous. Plus, I couldn’t explain it completely in front of Rylie. What had tipped my hand to agree was learning that Walker’s ex had screwed around on him and would be at the wedding. After what Rylie’s mother had done to Lucas, well, I had feelings about that kind of thing. I couldn’t exactly discuss that in front of Rylie.

Rylie wrinkled her nose and grinned. “That’s weird.”

“Walker’s a friend. Just like I would go somewhere with Valentina because she’s my friend, I’ll do the same for Walker,” I explained.

That explanation finally seemed to satisfy Rylie. Her attention shifted to her father. “Can I go outside?”

Lucas nodded. “You know the rules.”

With a squeal, Rylie dashed to the side of the kitchen. The screen door bounced behind her, and she skipped