Lori pointed a finger at me. “Brother of mine, do not pretend you’re a wedding hater.”
“I never said I was.”
“I know you’re secretly hoping for a huge wedding yourself.”
“Wait, what?”
“You gave yourself away when you said you’d never escape to Vegas, that you’d let me throw you a wedding.”
“When did I say that?”
I had a vague recollection, but how exactly did Lori translate those words into me having a secret wish for a huge wedding? Ah, my sisters always had their secret language. The way their minds worked was a mystery to me.
Will grinned. “Jace, I was there and can confirm you said those exact words.”
I flashed a lazy smile. “Will, you’re supposed to be on my side.”
“Time for you to know how it feels when your brother throws you to the lions.”
“I already have your theme in mind. Your only job is to find your bride,” Lori went on.
She was still shaken from the whole ordeal, and if planning my imaginary wedding took her mind off it, I wasn’t going to curb her enthusiasm. By the time the rest of the clan arrived, Lori was already in a much better mood.
Next evening, I stayed at the club until late in the evening, hitting the gym.
I loved working out. Not just to keep in shape and remain at the top of my game, but because there was nothing quite like the rush of endorphins after an intense cardio training, which was why I was finishing off my workout with a run on the treadmill. I was the last one here tonight. The rest of my teammates had left after practice, which was why I was surprised when I heard the gym door open. Was someone from management still here? Everyone employed at the club had access to the gym, but I was usually alone in my late evening training sessions.
I was surprised to see Brooke walk in wearing tight shorts and an even tighter shirt. Her hair was up in a ponytail, not a bun, and for once she wasn’t wearing glasses. She was even hotter in workout gear than she’d been in the librarian updo from the first day.
“If it’s not my favorite sponsorship business developer,” I greeted, slowing my pace on the treadmill.
She quirked up her lips. “I’m the only one.”
“Still my favorite. What are you doing here so late? I thought management was gone.”
“They are. I had a backlog of emails.”
“Working overtime already?” I jumped down from the treadmill and walked a few feet over to the cross-trainer Brooke was considering. Fuck, she was sexy. Her hips made my mouth water. When she noticed I was checking her out, she averted her gaze, exhaling sharply.
“It’s always worth going the extra mile in the beginning. Builds credibility.”
“True.”
I wondered if her insistence on friendly-vs-friends was about credibility as well, or if she’d given me that excuse because she didn’t like me personally. I was an optimistic guy, so I went for the former.
“Everything okay with the family emergency?” she asked.
“Oh, yeah. My sister Lori had a pregnancy scare. She’s seven months along and had some contractions, but they were a false alarm.”
“So they’re both okay?”
“Yes. Both healthy.”
“What is she having? Boy or girl?”
“A girl,” I said proudly.
“Did they already decide on a name?”