Knox touched his glass to his. “Amen.”
“Does he know?” He tipped his head toward Jade’s brother, who was talking to the brunette who’d hit on Knox. Apparently, she wasn’t fussy about which man she went upstairs with, as long as she got lucky.
“He knows about the first couple of times,” Knox muttered.
Derek slapped the table, threw his head back, and laughed. “Considering what you’re giving up here and the beating you might have to take from Asher, I’m betting she’s worth it.”
“She is.” But the joke might be on him. Jade had so many hang-ups when it came to relationships, the way Knox felt, not to mention what he was willing to go through or give up, might not matter.
But he was willing to try.
Right now, he was giving her what she seemed to need. Space. After that scene with Theo, Jade had been quiet and withdrawn. She’d accepted his explanation about his marriage and seemed to believe him, but when he’d gone to kiss her goodbye, he’d felt her resistance. He blamed Theo. Before that visit, they’d been growing closer.
But he was learning about what made Jade tick. She’d pulled back, and he’d taken the hint. He knew insinuating himself into her daily life wouldn’t do him any good right now. Other than checking on her after her migraine, he’d decided to back off and give her a chance to miss him.
That was the reason he’d decided to go through with this guys’ weekend. But he hated every second of not hearing her voice. He consoled himself with the fact that Jade and Holly had a florist appointment early next week and Knox planned to be there.
With any luck, she’d have missed him as much as he missed her. And then, just maybe, she might be more open to the idea of a relationship.
***
Jade woke upthe morning of her floral appointment with Holly and barely made it to the bathroom before she threw up. God. A stomach virus was the last thing she needed. Though she attempted to shower and go to work, coffee didn’t stay in her stomach, and she ended up back in bed.
She dialed Lauren.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Lauren said.
Jade managed a smile. “Not such a good one. I’m not feeling well. Think you can handle the floral appointment with Holly today?”
“Of course. What’s wrong?”
Her stomach twisted uncomfortably and she moaned. “I’m nauseous. I think I’ve picked up a stomach bug.”
“You’ve been exhausted for over a week. Take today and tomorrow off. This weekend’s event schedule is light. You don’t need to be hands-on for every party. The girls and I can handle it. I’m ordering you to rest,” Lauren said.
Jade managed a laugh. “So, you’re the boss now?”
“No. I’m the boss’s best friend. So please listen to me? I’ve been worried about you. Even a bad migraine never hits quite this bad, and for so long afterwards.” Lauren’s voice was filled with concern.
Jade blew out a long breath. “Okay. I’ll take a few days off.”
“Good. Now, as your best friend, I need to ask you something, and you aren’t going to like the question.”
She lay on her side and stared at the photographs on her dresser. There were a few of her family and one of Jade and Lauren at the beach. The people who mattered most to her.
“Go on,” Jade said warily.
“How long ago was the first time you were with Knox? The night of the fundraiser?”
“Umm…”
“Three weeks,” Lauren said, answering for her. “And have you gotten your period since then?”
Jade groaned. “Shut up. I can’t be pregnant.”
“Did you get your period? Because I’m pretty sure we’re synced up, and I didn’t see you running to the ladies’ room with your purse last week. You’ve been exhausted, dizzy, and now you’re throwing up…”
She squeezed her eyes shut tight. “Don’t do this to me. I can’t be pregnant,” she said. But apparently, she might very well be. “Hold on.”