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“You’ve been watching too muchDateline.”
“Ethan wasn’t at the house the whole weekend. I saw him in the cafeteria when I went down to get something for Maria. Which means you—” he pointed a finger at Garret “—were at the house alone with this woman. What did you do with her for hours on end?”
“I did exactly what you gave me such a hard time about the other night—I worked. Darcy rested and hung out. She’d just been in an accident—and she’s pregnant. Why is this such a big deal to you?”
“It’s not.” Toby raked his fingers through his hair and moved to the door of Garret’s office. “You didn’t say she was pregnant.” Like that made a difference? Toby had to get out of there. Liking Jocelyn was one thing, admiring her from afar, fine. But this feeling was more thanlike.And Garret was his best friend.
“Tobe, nothing happened.”
Maybe not, but a lot had happened in the past five minutes. Garret had to propose to Jocelyn soon. With his ring on her finger, she reallywouldbe off-limits—that was a boundary Toby wouldn’t cross. Ever. But until that happened, he had to stay away from her—them—altogether. It was only right.
“What’s with you today? You look ready to self-combust.”
He gripped the knob, wishing he could rip it off and throw it. “I thought maybe you’d…done something you shouldn’t have.”
“I didn’t.”
A look flashed over Garret’s face, though. Guilt? Toby turned and leaned against the door. “You sure?”
Garret avoided his gaze and stood to pace to the window. “Nothing happened.”
“But?”
“But how do I know Joss is the one?” Garret glanced over his shoulder at him. “Don’t go mentioning this to your mother or sister but—You nailed me for not giving Joss the ring, and this is why. How do I know she’s the one?”
“You’re having second thoughts? You think it’s a mistake to marry Jocelyn?”
“Not a mistake. Joss would never be a mistake. She’s as perfect as a woman can come but…”
Toby struggled to find the right words, the things guys were supposed to say in situations like this. Somehow they all sounded false in his head while he silently cheered getting an opportunity to pursue Jocelyn. “You’ve just got cold feet. It’s hard for a guy to think that he’s giving up the field.” He knew Garret was a stand-up guy who cared for and honored the woman he was with. If Toby thought for a second that Garret used women when they were convenient, that his feelings for Jocelyn weren’t sincere, Toby would consider her free for the chase. But Garret wasn’t like that and Toby had to respect their relationship.
“You’re right. Cold feet. What else could it be, right? I love her, why shouldn’t I marry her?”
Toby opened the door. “I can’t think of a single reason.”
Not one he could say out loud, that is.
GARRET STARED out the window a long time after Toby left. Once his engagement to Joss became official, his mother and Joss’s would go off the deep end planning the wedding. It would be the first in the family and sure to create a fuss. He’d be asked to discuss parties and seating arrangements, colors and flowers. Stuff he didn’t have the time or desire to mess with. This was exactly why people eloped.
A soft knock sounded on his door. “Come in.”
“Hey, what’s going on?” Joss asked as she stepped into his office wearing a sleek blue pantsuit that matched her eyes. “I saw Tobias getting in one of the elevators. He looked angry.”
Maybe he needed a little reminder of the spark between them. Maybe it had been so long since they’d had sex that he was forgetting the way they connected. He crossed the room and pulled her into his arms, lowering his head for a kiss. Their lips brushed, but when he tried to deepen the caress, she pulled away.
“Where’s Daddy?”
“Not due in for another hour.” He stepped close once more and kissed her cheek, nuzzled his way toward her mouth, but sighed when he felt her straight-arming him.
“Garret, come on.”
“I’m trying to.”
She shook her head at him and wouldn’t meet his gaze. “You know how Daddy feels about public affection and appearances.”
“We’re in my office.” He reached behind her and shut the door. “Private. Kiss me.”
Glancing over her shoulder toward the door one last time, she obediently raised herself on tiptoe and pressed her mouth to his, her lips parting, but after a quick, chaste taste, she broke contact.
