I nod. “I know what I’m talking about. I think that’s how Jean-Claude is. I’ve never felt good around him, even when he was all smiles and rose bouquets, whisking her away for dates, surprising her with gifts. He moved too fast. He’s never wanted me around. That’s how they work, manipulators, possessive types. They cut you off, one by one, from the people who love you, who know the real you and make you feel good. And then they break you down until all you want is their approval, their presence—until they’re your whole world and you’re alone.”

Jamie’s jaw tics. “I’m not a violent man, Bea. I swore an oath to heal, not to harm. But I want to crush him.”

Leaning into his touch, I smile up at Jamie and wrap my hand around his as it caresses my cheek. “I know. And that’s more than enough for me. Maybe I can put you on standby with Jean-Claude?”

He glances up, searching the crowd. “Tempting as that is, I’ll likely have to resort to harsh words. But no matter what, I’m on your side, all right? And Juliet’s, too, if it comes down to it.” His eyes meet mine again before he leans in and presses a long, slow kiss to my forehead. “I promise.”

“BeeBee!”

My sister’s voice startles me, and I jump, nearly headbutting Jamie. After a month of my shenanigans, he’s developed excellent self-preservation instincts and jerks away just in time to avoid what would have been a nasty bloody nose. “Look at you,” I tell him, patting his chest in reassurance. “Reflexes like a mongoose.”

He smiles, setting his hand on my back as Jules throws an arm around my neck. “There you are!” she says brightly, kissing my cheek. “You look incredible. Doesn’t she, West?”

Jamie’s thumb softly traces my spine in a sensual trail to the edge of my dress before he drops his hand altogether. “She does. Utterly breathtaking. You look lovely, too, Juliet.”

Jules smiles and sparkles like a constellation, all smoky eyeshadow and silvery dress. “Thank you.”

“Enough of that.” Jean-Claude slides his arm around my sister’s waist and tucks her close against him. I burn holes into his hand with my eyes. “I’m contending with too much interest in her as it is.”

“Please,” Jules says on a laugh. “Just because you like me this much doesn’t mean everyone else does.”

“You say that,” he tells her, tightening his grip on her waist. “But then, you’re not in my shoes, dealing with double the competition.”

Oh, hell no. He did not just say that. My hands turn to fists. Jamie scrubs his face and groans.

“Jean-Claude.” Jules arches an eyebrow. “I’ve told you that’s ridiculous.”

“Not to mention offensive,” I mutter.

“Mathematically it’s not,” he says, ignoring us.

“Jean-Claude,” Jamie warns.