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“This is it,” I answered, popping to my feet and stepping forward to extend the ring box his way.
He took it carefully and peered down, saying nothing. I couldn’t read his expression either, which kind of made me nervous.
After he looked up and quietly said, “Nice,” he shut the lid and handed it back. “So…” Clearing his throat, he waited until I had the box tucked in my pocket before he added, “You’re really doing this, huh?”
“Of course,” I answered, surprised that he didn’t seem happier, that he had any hesitancy for me at all. “Why?”
JB shrugged and sent me his best older-brother-knows-better look. “It’s just that one minute you’re telling us you plan to fall in love with her, then you’re asking how to do that, and now, bam, you have a ring. I mean, don’t you think this is all happening a bitfast?”
I frowned at him a moment before snapping, “Isthiswhy Teagan sent me here to talk to you? You all don’t want me to get married or something? Jesus, why’d she help me pick out a ring if—”
“This isn’t T,” JB broke in rationally. “She supports this completely and sent you here so you could ask me to be your best man. No, this is all me.I’mworried.”
I pulled a step back. “You don’t want me to get married?”
JB sighed wearily. “Of course, I want you to get married. Someday. And there’s no one I’d want to see you end up with more than Chloe, either. I’m in full support of the ideain general. But I wantyouto want this. I want you to be ready. And right now, it… I don’t know. It kind of feels like you’re only doing it to make everyone else happy.”
“Oh Jesus,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. Then I sliced him a hard scowl. “I didn’t realize I needed to convince you that I’m being legit here. Iloveher, okay? I took Trick’s idiot advice, and bam, what do you know… It actually worked.”
JB’s eyebrows shot up. “So you and Chloe… You…” He motioned his finger back and forth and widened his eyes in surprise.
“Fuck yes, we did,” I announced before furrowing my brow. “I’m surprised your wife didn’t mention that to you already.”
“You toldTeagan?” he asked in shock.
I shrugged. “What? Like it was some big secret?” Then, I paused to flick him sharply in the shoulder. “And why the hell didn’t you tell mesoonerhow much more amazing it is when you’re emotionally entangled with the chick? Jesus. Do you know how sore and overused I left poor Chlo after the number of times I had to—”
“Okay!” JB broke in, laughing uneasily and lifting his hands while shaking them aggressively to stop me. “TMI. I get it. I don’t need to know—”
Leaning in and lowering my voice, I whispered, “Best…sex…ever. I’m just saying. She has yet to say no toanythingI’ve wanted to do. I mean, I haven’t gotten around to trying it all yet, but I’ve been making my way down the list, and let me tell you… So far, she likes everythingIlike. Can you believe that shit?”
“God.” My brother closed his eyes and winced. “Youreallydon’t have to share this. I’m never going to be able to look at Chloe the same again.”
“You shouldn’t,” I agreed wholeheartedly. “You should look at her like the fucking goddess she is. And that naughty little freak ismine.” A big grin spread across my face as I nodded, appreciating the fact that shewasmine. “I can give you some great pointers if you need any.”
“I don’t,” my brother assured me. “I really don’t.”
“Hey, whatever.” I lifted both hands and sent him ayour-lossglance. “Teagan’s going to miss out on some very fine times, but if you’re good…”
“Weare,” JB answered firmly.
“Okay.” I laughed and surrendered. “I hear you.”
“But do you hearme?” JB said, frowning slightly. “I’m glad you two are…compatible. But there’s more than just sex that goes into a marriage.”
Scowling, I said, “Iknowthat. But the sex is new, and I’ve already felt all the other elements for a while, so excuse me if I’m still gaga over the new stuff right now.”
“Whatother elements, though?” JB demanded. “Because when Gracen was listing off all those website tips to determine whether you were in love or not the other night, you didn’t seem to have experiencedanyother emotions toward her yet.”
“Bullshitif I haven’t,” I growled. “I had experiencedallthe other things with Chloe. And it freaked me the fuck out to realize how sunk I already was when Gray started reading his stupid lists out loud.”
When JB merely frowned at me as if he knew better, I scowled back. “Stop looking at me with those judgmental eyes. I fucking love her,alright?”
But all my brother did in return was blow out a long breath as if he were gearing up to give me one of his lectures.
I threw up my hands, stopping him before he could even get started. “That’s it. I’m done here.” I whirled around to stalk off, but his reaction irritated me too much to let it lie, so I found myself whirling back in the entrance of the waiting area and pointing accusingly at him.
I mean, how could he even question this? It seemed so blaring and obvious to me…now that I’d finally opened my eyes and realized it for myself.
