Ugh. The giggling.

I take another drink.

“He doesn’t look interested, you know,” Gwen says.

I avert my eyes. “What?”

“Latson. He looks like he’d rather descend to the seventh circle of hell than put up with them.”

I look at him again. He’s talking to Dean, despite Heidi trying to weasel her way between his legs. He’s sitting on a stool, and she keeps touching his knee. I mentally smile when he grabs her hand and shoves it away.

“You should go save him,” Gwen suggests. “Put her in her place and claim your man.”

I make a face. “He’s not my man.”

“Please.” Gwen gives me a blank look. “Denial looks awful on you.”

Pete approaches the bar. “Are you ready to go?”

I nod.

“What are you drinking?” He reaches out, snags my cup, and smells it. “Whiskey?”

“And Coke.” I grab the cup back. “Is there a problem with that?”

He scowls. “You’re not supposed to have either.”

“I can eventually.”

“Eventually is not a week after surgery.”

I quickly down the rest of my drink. “Pffft. Surgery was eight days ago.” Not only will the alcohol relax my mind, it will soothe the tiny twinges of pain I’m starting to feel. Maybe working a full shift tonight wasn’t the best idea.

Pete shakes his head. “I swear …”  He starts to walk away. “I’m going to get the car.”

“’Kay.” I toss my cup in the trash. Grabbing my bag, I duck under the bar and notice my shoe is untied. I fix it, then stand. “See you tomorrow, Gwen.”

She grins. “’Night.”

Is something funny?

I turn around and run smack into Latson’s chest. He catches me by my arm and his woodsy scent invades my senses. “Are you leaving?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll give you a ride.”

What kind of ride?

Sweet Jesus. Did I just think that?  “No,” I say. “Pete’s getting the car.”

He steps closer. “I think we should talk.”

I think so, too. However, in my periphery, I catch a glimpse of Heidi staring at us. “I think you’re busy. You shouldn’t leave your adoring fans.”

He nudges my arm, pulling me closer still. “Forget them.”

That would be easy to do, but whatever is going on here is already conspicuous enough. “You know I can’t leave with you. Pete will bust a nut. We can talk tomorrow.”

Latson looks uncertain, like I’m trying to brush him off. I’m not. I’m trying to avoid questioning stares and a lecture from my brother.

“I promise,” I say. “Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.”

Latson wasn’t expecting my rhyme and tries not to smile. “What are you?  Seven?”

I shrug and he sighs. “I’ll walk you out.”

He lets go of my arm and sets his palm against my lower back, guiding me toward the door. I didn’t expect his touch and his hand burns a hole through my shirt. I know he’s held me in his arms before, but this feels different. This feels intimate and possessive, and I’m not the only one who notices.

“Bye Little J,” Carter says as we pass him. He takes one look at Latson’s hand and does a double take. “Or is it Little Bird now?”

Ah, Christ. “It’s Jen,” I say and keep walking.

Latson holds the door for me as we step outside. When we get to the curb and separate, he pulls his cell out of his pocket and looks at the screen. “It’s after four a.m.,” he says.

I nod.

“Four hours ago, today became tomorrow.”

I’m confused. “What?”

Pete’s car rounds the corner and Latson doesn’t explain. As my brother pulls to the curb, he steps forward and reaches for the door. He starts to pull the handle, then stops. “Don’t fall asleep when you get home.”

My forehead creases. “I think I’ll do what I want.”

He opens the door an inch. “Today is tomorrow. You said we could talk.” He meets my eyes with a sincere expression. “Don’t fall asleep when you get home.”

Now I get it … and there goes my pulse. I have no idea what he’s planning, but damn it if I don’t want to find out.

He opens the car door, and I get inside. Pete pulls away as soon as the door shuts behind me. We make it one block before he asks, “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

My head falls back against the head rest. “I wish I knew.”

As Pete drives, I stare out the window and wonder what is happening. Latson has hit on me since the day I met him, but it’s always been fun and something I could handle. Tonight went to a whole new level. He used music to get to me and it worked. Am I ready to have his babies?  No. But the idea of playing house is starting to grow on me.

“He’s not good for you.”

I look at Pete. “You keep saying that. I thought he was your friend.”

“He is,” he gives me a warning look, “which means I know a lot about him. Just like I know Carter and Felix. Guys talk. Trust me. He’s not for you.”

“You need to elaborate.” I cross my arms. “What are you saying?  He’s abusive?  He’s into drugs?  He has a foot fetish?  What?”

“No.” Pete shakes his head. “Relationships aren’t for him. I know you, and you’re not into casual. He doesn’t do long-term commitment.”

“Long-term?  Like weeks or like marriage?”

“Marriage.”

I snort. “You’re one to talk. Have you looked in the mirror lately?  If marriage were the basis for a relationship, Jules should have left you years ago.”

“What makes you think we’re not married?”

“Um, because you’re not.” I look at him like he’s lost it. “I don’t remember a wedding.”

Pete sighs as he turns the wheel. “That’s because you weren’t there.”

I blink. “I’m sorry?”

He gives me a resigned look.

“You’re married?!”

“Since March.”

“How ...” My face falls. “Why didn’t you include us?  Mom and dad are going to be so hurt.” I’m hurt.

“We had a scare,” Pete says. “Jules found a lump. Cancer runs in her family.”

My stomach knots. Jules looks so healthy. “Is she okay?”

He nods. “The tests turned out fine, but it was a huge reality check. We decided there was no point in waiting, so we went to the courthouse. I mean, why plan a party for a year when the important part of the day is the actual marriage?”

I’m stunned. I lean over and try to see his left hand under the passing street lights. “Where’s your ring?” Come to think of it, I haven’t seen one on Jules, either. I know I would have noticed a diamond.

“We don’t have rings,” Pete confesses. “Jules didn’t want to discuss her health when asked why we did what we did. We’ve decided to keep it between us for a while. Things happened fast. No one knows we’re married.”

I frown. “That is unacceptable, Peter. Jules deserves a gorgeous ring, even if she’s not wearing it.” My eyes get wide. “And you need to get down on one knee and propose like a gentleman!”  I shove his arm. “You were raised better than that, jerk face.”

“I know.” He looks sheepish. “That’s the favor I was going to ask you when I called a few weeks ago. Remember?  I dropped the subject when I found out your life was falling apart. I was going to ask you to help me pick out a ring.”

I smile. “Well, nothing is stopping us now. Let’s do it soon. I want my sister-in-law to be legit.”

“She is legit. I have the license to prove it.”

“You know what I mean.”

We turn into the parking garage, then get out of the car and make our way upstairs. Outside the apartment door, I grab Pete’s arm and pull him into a lopsided hug. “I’m really happy for you. I love Jules. Mom and Dad do, too. I’m glad she’s okay.”

He hugs me back. “Me, too.”

“Her proposal needs to be epic.”

“I have some ideas.” Pete steps back and puts the key in the lock. “But I might need some help there as well.”

“Count me in.” I grin.

He starts to open the door, then stops. “You deserve epic things, too, you know. That’s what I meant about Latson. If you decide to get involved with him, I worry that won’t happen for you.”

I sigh. I’ve learned all things epic don’t revolve around men. “If I were to get involved with him I would have no expectations.” If my last two relationships taught me anything, it’s not to bank on a future.