“Somebody’s jealous,” I teased.
“Well, can you blame me?” he grumbled. “You’ve hooked up with him before, and I could tell he wanted a repeat.”
“Sweetheart.” I took told of Bryson’s jaw and turned his face toward me. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. I love you.”
“Aw,” Jamie said.
“Better get used to meeting his hookups,” Damon said unhelpfully. “They’re all over the place.”
“Dude,” Maverick said. “Read the room.”
“What? It’s true.”
Worry flared inside me as I gazed at Bryson. I’d had fun with guys while I was getting over my heartbreak and fooling myself into thinking I didn’t need love. But what if that very thing ruined my love life right when I was finally ready to build something real?
Bryson kissed my cheek. “I’m not worried, darlin’. That’s your past. I’m your future.”
I smiled uncertainly. “Yeah? You’re not bothered by it?”
“Well, I might have to kiss you excessively in public and stake my claim. But if you can live with that…”
I laughed. “Seems a small price to pay.”
He caught my chin in his hand and leaned in to kiss me. Maverick whistled, and Damon cat-called. Hank and Jamie laughed.
“I think everyone has gotten the message,” I said. “But feel free to send it as often as you like.”
He locked eyes with me. “Happy to do it for a lifetime, if that’s what it takes to show everyone you’re mine.”
“Get a room!” Damon cried.
“Sorry!” I turned back to the table. “So, Mav, weren’t you saying something about owing Damon some payback the other day?”
“Low blow,” Damon accused with a grin. “But I’ll have you know Ilikeit when Maverick goes all prankster on me.”
“Ooh, baby, I’ve got a good one planned,” Maverick said, rubbing his hands together.
“You guys are so weird,” Jamie said.
Hank nodded. “Guess it works for them. We have our love of dogs, and they have…revenge.”
“There’s nothing like angry sex after a prank.”
“Then makeup sex after the angry sex,” Maverick added.
They locked eyes, clearly reliving some X-rated material.
I picked up my cosmo. “You know, you two are inspiring. Don’t you think, Bry?”
“Definitely. Do you want to have angry sex or makeup sex?”
“Eh, I say we try it all. How else will we know what’s best?”
“Good plan,” Maverick said seriously while Damon choked on gulp of beer as he tried not to laugh.
“Silas is never one to be outdone in the sex olympics,” Jamie said.
“Lucky me,” Bryson said, resting his hand on my thigh and squeezing gently.
