Find Me (The Found Duet #2)(59)
Author: Laurelin Paige

“I’ll get you set up too, JC,” Mira assured. “I have some connections with some really good menswear stores that can work on that time frame. Just let me know who’s going to be in the party—groomsmen, bridesmaids, parents—and I’ll get everything set up.”

“Too bad Dad’s not around to walk you down the aisle.” It was Ben’s version of a joke, one that I didn’t find at all funny.

I shot him my best glare. “The best present that man can give me is to never show up in my life again.”

“You don’t want him back in jail?” Laynie’s question made me realize I hadn’t ever shared my opinions with her. Or anyone, except Norma.

“Not really. Because then one day he’ll be out of jail again, and we’ll be back where we were a year ago. I like him missing. I’m convinced he’s too fucked up to do anything to me, and this way I don’t have to think about him at all.” Maybe it was the fact that JC had his arm around me, or that I was surrounded by friends and family in general, but for once I didn’t dread talking about him.

“I wish he was in jail,” Norma piped in. “He might be completely drugged up, living under a bridge, but he also might be a functional addict with a job and an apartment somewhere. And if he is, what happens when he gets fired and can’t afford his next fix? That’s when he’ll show up again. I don’t like the uncertainty of it.”

“Neither do I.” Hudson surprised me with his concern. “Let’s talk tomorrow about this, Norma. See if I can help.”

JC shifted next to me. “I’d like to join you, if you don’t mind.”

“Really?” I cocked my head and gave him an incredulous look, but he patted my knee, and I decided to let it go. If JC wanted to join Norma on the search for my father, it wasn’t any skin off my back. Besides, his interest was a little bit of a turn-on. Or a lot.

“Aw, look, H,” Laynie said from her perch on the arm of Hudson’s chair. “Someone who wants to get all alpha protector with you. Have fun with that. Meanwhile, I need to steal Gwen for a minute in the kitchen.”

“Sure. Be there in a sec.” I waited until she’d gone to quietly say to JC, “She probably wants to know my thoughts about the cook. Will you be okay if I leave you?”

“I’m never okay when you leave me, but yes, I can handle the boy cub, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Very funny.” I kissed him, maybe a little too passionately considering the present company but also maybe because of the present company. I was lightheaded when I pulled away.

I started to stand, but JC tugged me close to whisper in my ear. “That was very naughty, Gwen.”

“Perhaps I’ll be punished for it later.” I squeezed his knee and, without looking back to see his response, stood and headed to the kitchen.

“What’s up?” I asked as I swung through the door, knowing full well that Laynie didn’t want to see me about the cook. She’d save that for our shift on Friday, as she always did when she brought in chefs to her house to audition for the club.

“Married?” Her eyes were wide and accusing. “Are you kidding me?”

Nope, definitely not about the chef.

I glanced around the kitchen, glad to find that both the server and the cook had already left. “I thought you’d be happy for me.” In fact, I wasn’t sure yet if Laynie was more pissed that I was getting married or that I hadn’t told her about it before announcing it to everyone.

“I would be happy for you if I thought you were in your right mind, but I’m not sure that you are.”

The kitchen door swung behind me, and I turned to see Hudson. He walked casually over to the sink and turned on the faucet. Since when did Hudson Pierce do anything in the kitchen? Were they ganging up on me? Great. Just…great.

I straightened my spine and defended my decision, even though I shouldn’t have had to. “This isn’t that big of a surprise. He asked me to marry him before he left.”

“And you said no because you didn’t know him well enough. Did that suddenly change?”

I folded my arms over my chest. “I told him no, and I’ve regretted it since. That hasn’t changed.”

“Gwen!” She practically stomped her foot. “Two days ago you didn’t even know if you wanted to see him again. This came out of nowhere.”

“As if you’ve never done anything impulsive, Alayna,” Hudson chimed in.

Oh, so not ganging up on me. Awesome. “Yeah. What he said.”