As I helped her up, my eyes found Jack across the yard. Somehow, as if he could feel my gaze, he looked up. Our eyes met, and he smiled, a private smile meant just for me.
JACK
Thanksgiving dinner was over and the whole family had scattered throughout the great room, nursing after-dinner drinks and making polite conversation. A fire crackled in the massive stone hearth, casting warm light across the exposed beams. Outside, snow had begun to fall.
Mia sat across the room, deep in conversation with my cousin Sarah. She looked stunning in her deep burgundy dress, her curves highlighted rather than hidden. I couldn’t wait to get her on her own.
Clearly, Jared agreed. There were more than a few times, throughout the day, that I’d caught him checking her out. He hadn’t made a move yet, but I knew it was only a matter of time. Fuckhead.
Balancing two crystal glasses of port, I made my way to where Nan sat in her favorite armchair near the window.
“Here you go.” I handed her one of the glasses. “Thirty-year-old port, just how you like it.”
“You spoil me, darling.” She accepted the glass with a slight tremor in her hand that hadn’t been there a few months ago. The sight sent a spike of fear through me that I quickly tamped down as I settled into the chair beside her. She’d hate it if sheknew I noticed. Still, I could ask a simple question. “How are you feeling?”
“Stop fussing.” Her eyes were fond. “I’m not at death’s door yet, no matter what these doctors keep poking and prodding me for.”
“Nan...”
“I’m fine, Jack.” She patted my knee. “And all the better for seeing you and Mia together. She’s absolutely perfect for you. I’m very much looking forward to your wedding and on that note, why haven’t you set a date yet?”
Fuck.
Before I could cobble together a response, movement across the room caught my attention. Sarah stood up, excusing herself from Mia with a squeeze of her hand. The moment she was gone, Jared materialized beside Mia, like a shark scenting blood in the water. He slid into the vacant seat beside her, much closer than necessary.
Every muscle in my body tensed and my hand curled into a fist. I started to rise, but Mia’s eyes found mine across the room. She gave a small shake of her head and the barest hint of a smile. The message was clear:I’ve got this.
With effort, I sank back into my chair, though I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Jared leaned in, saying something that made Mia laugh. The sound grated against my nerves, even though I knew it was part of her strategy.
“What on earth is going on over there?” Nan’s sharp eyes narrowed as she followed my gaze. “Why is Jared hovering over Mia like that? And why are you sitting here allowing it?”
I took a long swallow of port. “Because Mia asked me to.”
“She what?” Nan’s eyebrows shot up.
“She wants to deal with him herself. She’s been waiting for an opportunity all day.”
“Deal with him how, exactly?” There was no mistaking the skeptical note in Nan’s voice.
“I’m not sure. She just said to let her try and asked me to trust her.”
“And you do? Trust her?” Nan studied my face.
“Completely.” That was no lie.
Nan hummed thoughtfully. “Well, this should be interesting. Your brother has always thought himself irresistible to women.”
“Not this one,” I murmured, watching as Mia leaned slightly away from Jared’s attempted closeness.
Jared reached out to touch Mia’s hair, brushing a strand back from her face. My hand tightened around my glass. Every instinct screamed at me to go over there, to put myself between them.You have about ten more seconds, Mia.The wave of hot, primitive possessiveness that surged through me wouldn’t let me sit here for much longer.
From where I sat, it looked like Mia was flirting with Jared, her head tipped back, her smile wide. But I recognized the subtle signs most would miss. The slight stiffness in her shoulders. The way her fingers twisted in her lap. The laugh that wasn’t quite genuine. She was putting on a performance.
Jared was clearly sucked in, deciding that now was the time to make his move. He stretched his arm along the back of Mia’s chair and leaned in, whispering something. The intimate gesture made my blood boil.
Mia smiled, nodding slowly. Then she leaned even closer to him as she whispered something in return.
Jared jerked back, staring at her with shock. He asked her something, his brow furrowed, his body language suddenly less confident.
