Page 66 of Tied Over

“He probably should, but he declined.”

“I’ll talk to him.”

“And he might change his mind, for you, because you’ll tell him to, but think about the implications of that.”

“The what?”

“Oh, don’t play dumb with me. I’ve seen you outmaneuver small children, and that’s harder to do than people think. You have to be two steps ahead of them. I know you’re smart.”

I groaned, and she laughed at me. “Listen, Bodhi is—”

“Bodhi doesn’t want to leave you,” she said, talking over me. “And why not? You’re not going to die on him in the time it takes to attend a party, but he won’t go, not even for Hayden, to simply not rock the boat.”

“He’ll change his mind.”

“Again, because you’ll talk him into it. But that’s not a good look for the fiancé, is it?”

“I don’t––”

“The truth of the matter is, when you’re in a relationship, you have to put aside what you want and do what’s best for the other person.”

“Agreed.”

“I go to things with Zach even when I hate the people I have to see.”

“As you do.”

“But you see, Bodhi has no problem not going because you’re the one he’s staying for.”

“Would you pretty please make your point already?”

“I think Bodhi can say no easily to Hayden because he’s not the most important person in his life.”

I scowled at her.

“It’s clear as day, and the two of you aren’t fooling anyone.”

We were all down one flight of stairs now, and I could see the restaurant overlooking the water. I looked at Bodhi holding hands with Stella and Thomas, walking with them, answering questions, probably about being a marshal, and just seeing him smiling and talking made my chest hurt.

“You’re wrong,” I assured her.

“I’m not,” she replied flatly.

“You have to understand that he’s my partner and––”

“My husband has a partner,” she told me. “I know all about the importance of the person who has your back.”

“Then you get what I’m––”

“This ain’t that,” she said playfully.

“You’re––”

“I thought my brother hit the lottery, but now I’m not so sure.”

I stopped walking and looked at her. “He did. I promise you, there’s no better man than Bodhi Callahan.”

“Well, I will argue that point with you since my husband is marvelous most of the time. But seriously, I think what’s great for you might not be great for my brother.”