Page 19 of Deadly Conflicts

“She didn’t just get over it,” James clarified. “She was upset and full of self-doubt because he didn’t bother calling. She was massively upset and thought she did something to warrant that treatment. It pissed me off.”

“I get being upset about that,” Mandy said. “I just … that was a whole lot of hate going on there.”

James blew out a sigh. Mandy was intuitive. He knew that. Trying to hide anything from her was a fruitless endeavor. “I knew he wasn’t good for Ally from the moment I met him,” he explained. “She was so excited when she showed up with him. This is when Grady and Finn were still finishing up their tours, so it was just Ally and me down here.

“We didn’t have the tightest of relationships back then,” he continued. “We fought a lot. I warned her about Vince and she didn’t take it well. There was a fight and … she chose him over me.”

Mandy’s heart rolled at the forlorn expression on her husband’s face. “And that crushed you.”

“It didn’t crush me,” James argued. “It just … I was worried about her.”

“I think you were worried about her,” Mandy agreed. “I also think it crushed you a little bit. It’s okay. I’m sure in hindsight Ally knows it was the wrong decision. You can’t help what your heart wants sometimes.”

“Oh, yeah?” James ran his hand down the back of Mandy’s head. “Did you ever think I was the wrong choice for you? Did your head and heart ever argue?”

Mandy’s head bob was enough to cause James’ stomach to flip. “My head told me that you could never love me like I loved you because I wasn’t … I don’t know … exotic enough,” she admitted. “My heart told me it didn’t matter because I had to try.”

“Exotic?” James was annoyed. He hated it when she put herself down. “How can you think you’re not exotic? You get turned on by sharks and dressed up like a filthy librarian last night. That’s exotic, baby.”

Mandy grinned. “I know you love me now and my head and heart agree,” she said. “Ally’s head and heart probably didn’t agree back then, but she didn’t know how to read the signs. She said she was young and confused. I hope you don’t take it to heart that she chose Vince over you. She loves you.”

“Ally and I have survived our fair share of growing pains,” James said. “I don’t hold anything against her. I’m just glad she has Jake around, because he won’t put up with that douche for five seconds.”

“I think you’re just happy because you know you’ll have an ally should things get ugly between you and Vince,” Mandy said. “Either way, though, I’m on your side.”

“Oh, wife, you’re always on my side,” James said, smacking a loud kiss against her lips. “Now, come on. I’ll stuff your face with food before I set you loose on the craft show. You know I can’t spend the day carrying items around for you, right?”

“Oh, I know,” Mandy replied, nodding her head. “I figure I’ll just let them stack up in one place and when you get a chance you can come over and collect them for me. You don’t have to follow me around today. You can just make the occasional trip to check on me.”

James sighed. “Love is a funny thing, baby,” he said. “A little over two years ago that sentence would’ve caused me to run in the opposite direction. Now it doesn’t even make me blink.”

“Love is a funny thing,” Mandy agreed. “It’s also a dirty thing. Did I tell you about the funky wetsuit I found yesterday? Did you know they make a naughty aquatic animal trainer outfit?”

James barked out a delighted laugh. “And that right there is why I will always love you more than anything.”

“Right back at you.”