Page 87 of By Invitation Only

She lifted her head to look at me, and before I spoke again, my lips brushed hers. “Let’s go order your favorites.”

A huge grin spread across her face. “After my heart, Mr. Jameson?”

I stared at her, not sure how to answer the question. I felt something completely different for Peyton than any other girl to cross my path. I never wanted to go a day or night without seeing her, and I knew for sure that the last month was one of the best times of my life. Was this love? I’d been too busy with everything to stop and think about how love should feel. So I answered jokingly, “I thought I already had it?”

It was her turn to stare at me. Before she could answer, there was a knock on my door.

“Stop making out and come look at the menu!”

Fucking wife.

“Come on, gorgeous. Let’s get you fed.” I held out my hand and helped Peyton off the bed.

An hour later, we were all sitting around the dining room table, scooping various dishes onto our plates. While we’d waited for our food, Carrie told us how she and Taylor had met. A week before the last party, they met at a coffee shop down the street when they were both customers, and they started seeing each other the day after the party. Apparently, Taylor had approached Carrie and one thing led to another. Taylor didn’t go to Sensation. I knew that because Carrie and I went together, and I didn’t recall seeing Carrie with anyone. Granted I had other things on my mind. While Peyton and I were doing our thing, so was Carrie and Taylor. The mornings I would come home and didn’t see Carrie were the mornings she was with Taylor.

Our lives were definitely changing.

“So now that we all have food,” Carrie started, “I was wondering how serious you two were?”

I dropped my fork onto my plate causing a clinking noise to radiate the open floor plan dining room. “What?”

“Well, I mean, you two have been together every night. Is it serious?”

“Why do you care?” I spat. Carrie was with Taylor and didn’t need to butt into my life.

“I’m getting to that.”

“Well, bloody hurry the fuck up.”

“Don’t get your panties in a bunch, Booker.”

I narrowed my eyes at her.

“So one night Taylor and I got drunk—”

“And?” I wasn’t mad at her per se, but I was irritated that she was asking me about my business.

“I may or may not have told her we were married.” She gave a tight, worried smile.

“Are you serious?” I stood, the chair falling back as it slid backward.

“I’m sorry.”

“What is wrong with you?” We went years without anyone knowing, and now she was telling people like it should be public knowledge.

She stood and put her hands out in front of her. “Hear me out.”

“There very bloody well be a good explanation,love.”

“There’s not a good reason I told her—”

“Maybe I should go wait in your room?” Peyton muttered as she started to stand.

“I’ll go with you,” Taylor said.

“No!” I hissed. “Everyone in this fucking room knows what’s going on, and since mywifehas a big fucking mouth, she might as well tell us why she is curious about our relationship.” I looked to Peyton, and she sat back down. Taylor did as well.

“Continue,wife.”