Ryann couldn’t help her reaction, her spine stiffening. “No,” was all she managed to say, looking away and at Stuart. His eyes softened, and he squeezed her hand, still in his.

“Ryann doesn’t talk to her family anymore,” he explained.

“Oh, God,” Jai said. “I’m sorry. Stuart mentioned that before, and I forgot.”

She rotated her shoulders, trying to relax. “No. Please don’t apologize. I’m not usually so touchy about it. I’m just tired.” She took a moment to sip her beer, tasting, this time, a hint of chocolate under the cherry overtones.

“My family and I stopped talking after I came out,” she explained.

“Christ,” Jai said. “I’m so sorry.”

She lifted a shoulder. “It’s fine. It was a long time ago now. And I got a parting gift—a college degree and enough money to start my own business. Could be worse.”

They all sipped their beers in awkward silence, and she wondered, once again, why she’d bothered coming here. The fact that Stuart hadn’t reminded Jai about her past before she came actually hurt more than anything. It suggested a lot, foremost of which was that he barely talked about her. Both men were staring at their hands, and if she didn’t say something to change the subject, the tension would get even worse.

She plastered on her most executive smile. “Tell me about the wedding party, fellas. There’s me and who else?”

Jai seemed grateful for the chance to move on. “Uh, well, we’re still deciding.”

She laughed. “So close to the wedding?”

“We still have thirteen days,” Stuart said.

She rolled her eyes. “Okay, but really? You guys don’t know yet?”

“Well, we only got engaged last week—the night before I called you,” Stuart said.

Jai glanced over at him. “And it’s not that we don’t know. We just can’t agree on who to include.”

Stuart nodded. “Jai has sisters, but you’re all I’ve got on my side. I told him he could have as many people as he wanted in his party, but he doesn’t want it to be uneven.”

“Couldn’t you have some of his family on your side?” she asked.

“See!” Jai said, triumphant. “I told you that’s what we should do.”

Stuart lifted his shoulders. “I guess so. But who goes where? I’m worried some of your sisters won’t see it like you do, Jai. If they end up on my side, won’t that seem like, I don’t know, they’re not as important?”

Jai put his giant arm around Stuart’s shoulders, squeezing him. “You know that’s not true, sweetie. All my sisters adore you. I actually think some of them like you more than me. You’re like another little brother they never had.”

“Really?”

“Of course!”