Page 89 of The Sacrifice
“It’s a tad bit tarnished.” I grab the box and snap it open. A two-karat solitaire engagement ring glistens in the light like a lighthouse beacon. “Holy shit. That’s big.”
“That’s what she said.”
I smack his chest and slip the diamond on my finger. Like everything else about him, it fits perfectly.
“Mia, will you marry your brother’s worthless, much younger, best friend and make me the happiest man alive?”
“Why yes, I will.” I wiggle against his hardening cock. “As long as you’ll marry your best friend’s boring, older sister and fuck the disapproving look off her face.”
“As a matter of fact, I will.” He flips me over onto my back and shows me how thoroughly he’s going to disappoint me with his lovemaking skills. Four more times. I may never walk again.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Two Weeks Later
Jackson
After I tip the bartender, I study the crowd, looking for Andrew. He was supposed to meet me fifteen minutes ago.
The door opens, and a stream of bright light floods inside. He waves and then zigzags through the crowd on his way to the bar.
“Hey, man.” I pat his shoulder. “What’s up?”
“I’m sorry I’m late. Things got away from me.” He nods at the bartender. “I’ll take a Whiskey on the Rocks.”
“Coming right up.” The bartender adds a clunk of ice and heads to the bottles of alcohol, pouring the whiskey to an invisible line. It’s clear from the rhythm he no longer pays any attention to recipes. He’s got everything down to an exact science.
“How was work?”
“It was fine.” Andrew taps his fingertips on the countertop.
“And….?”
“What?” He blinks and turns to face me.
“You’re distracted. And late.” One corner of my mouth raises. “Who is she?”
“Nobody.” The bartender drops off the drink and moves on to the next customer. “It’s nothing.” He raises the glass and drains it in one gulp, dropping it back to the surface.
“Dude, you guzzled a glass of whiskey in one shot. This can’t be nothing.”
He’s been careful to avoid serious relationships, so seeing him out of sorts is nice. I don’t want to be the only one led around by his nose. I want my best friend to be as blissfully happy as I am.
Everything is perfect between Mia and me. We’ve settled into a routine at work and home, and I’ll get some sleep at some point–when I stop waking up from a dead sleep searching for her. I’ve turned into a clingy bitch.
“Fine,” he growls and rolls his shoulders. “I’m seeing someone, but it’s complicated. I’ll tell you more about it when I figure out what we’re doing.” He shrugs. “If anything. Maybe it’s a blip on the radar.”
“Is it?”
“Shit.” His eyes hold a haunted look. “I don’t think so, but I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Neither did I.” I pat his back. “Neither did I. But look at your sister and me. On paper, we don’t appear to be a match. She couldn’t stand me. But after a few days of my killer charm, forgetting to put on a shirt, and wearing caked-on spit-up like a boss, she couldn’t resist me.”
“You are quite the catch.” He chuckles and calls the bartender over for another round.
“Thank you.” I lift the beer mug to my lips. One is enough for me. I’m not trying to drown myself. My gorgeous lady is meeting me any minute for dinner and dancing while my brother and his wife watch Hadley.
“I promise. I’ll tell you more when I figure it out.”