“I’m on the shirt,” I interrupt, exasperated. “The shirt is me.”
I turn to Annie. “I wanted to be part of this, Annie. I could’ve said no. I didn’t. It’s not your dad’s or Haley’s fault.”
My fiancée’s stony silence has Jax jumping in. “The lawyers can handle the heavy lifting. It’s just taking a little longer than we thought.”
“How long will it take?” she asks tightly.
“Exclusivity lapses Saturday. We can’t get a deal locked down by then, everything falls apart.”
Annie shifts out of her seat, yanking the T-shirt from Jax’s hand. “Believe me. If you and Tyler spend the rehearsal dinner negotiating terms”—her flashing amber eyes pin me next, and dammit if guilt and arousal aren’t a better mix of feelings than I ever guessed—“a lot more than this deal is going to fall apart. Understood?”
I nod, and Jax does too.
There’s no way I’m letting this deal interfere with the most important day of my life.
Haley glances at the clock. “Annie, don’t we have to get to a dress fitting?”
Mason chooses that moment to wake up and cry.
Haley lifts him in her arms and walks toward the bedrooms. “Jax, help me a second.”
He follows, and we’re alone.
I catch Annie’s hand and pull her back until her chest brushes mine. “You know the only thing I care about in this wedding is that it’s you and me. If you want me to back out of this deal, I will.”
She looks up at me from half-lowered lashes. Her amber eyes glint, accented by the faintest hint of makeup she wears when she’s not on stage. “If you say it’s almost done, I believe you. And you better be present because I have surprises in store.”
I rake a hand through my hair, emotions fighting in my gut. Hurting the woman I love is the worst. I swore I wouldn’t do it again—no matter how good my intentions. “All I want to unwrap is you.”
“I want this week to be special, for us and for everyone.” I press my lips to her temple, and she relaxes into my hold. “I have to go to this dress fitting.”
“I want a picture.”
“You get nothing.” Annie steps back out of my grip.
“Then I’ll come with you. That’s what changerooms are for.”
Her low laugh drags up my spine. “Take those capable hands of yours and put them to good use.” She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip as she backs toward the doorway. “I meant signing papers.”
“Sure you did.”