All sense of hope drained away as I faced a room that was supposed to mark a turning point in my life. All these people were counting on us, and we were a lost cause.

Jay noticed me first. He ended his call and shifted around to face the room as he tucked his phone into the pocket of his slacks. Like last time, he was dressed smartly in black trousers that hugged his thighs and ass, and a white oxford shirt, open at the collar and rolled at the sleeves to show off his sexy forearms—and yes, he had sexy forearms because there seemed to be nothing about this guy that wasn’t perfect.

His warm blue eyes landed on me, and a broad smile filled his face. Jay crossed the room with a confident strut, his Italian loafers making no sound.

“Good morning, beautiful.” His voice was sultry and low as he took me in.

“Good morning, flatterer. How’s married life treatin’ ya?”

It was best I put him in his place straight away lest he think to pursue this endeavor further.

“It’s a lovely thing. You should try it sometime.”

“Yeah, I think that day is a long way off for me. I’m a young’un. Too much life to explore yet.”

Jay wet his lips, slowly and deliberately. “I’m not giving up on you. Dean and I talked before I left. He gave me the green light to work some magic.”

“And by magic you mean?”

He quirked a brow as though I should know or read between the lines. “First, I’ll need to convince you to join me for a drink tonight since you turned me down last night. We can talk more in private.”

“And by talk you mean fuck, right?”

“Can’t fool you. You’re a smart kid.”

“I’m gonna pass. I don’t know what your arrangement is with your husband, but this doesn’t feel right to me.”

Jay stepped closer and trailed his fingers up my arm as he spoke low enough no one else would hear. “Don’t say no yet. I’m not a cheater, if that’s what you think. I know Dean freaked you out a bit, but what if he watched us on a video call? Wouldn’t that make you feel safer? Just you, me, a bottle of wine, and a private room.”

And I hated my dick for giving a little jump at the suggestion because it did sound kinda hot.

“I don’t drink wine, and I’m not giving you an answer right now.”

“Fair enough. We’ll chat later.” Jay glanced around, his brows dipping. “Where’s your brother?”

Good question.