Chapter 13 #3
Jensen snickered, leaning against the table to cross his arms. “You don’t have to make it better, you just have to spend time with her.
Do you even know our girl at all? She doesn’t care about fancy.
Take her for an ice cream at the beach and she’d be happy.
Hell, go for shooting practice at the gun range.
She’s only going on the fancy date with Ty because it makes him happy, not her. ”
Caden didn’t look convinced but he nodded, and I could see him racking his brain for ideas.
I stood and headed upstairs to find where Josie had dragged Rory to, finding them in Rory’s bedroom as Josie measured her. She was in her bra and panties looking highly uncomfortable, her eyes flicking to mine as I shut the door behind me.
“Found your dress,” I grinned, and Josie scowled at me.
“Out.”
“Why? I spend half my waking hours literally inside her. She’s not worried about me seeing her in her underwear,” I joked.
“I didn’t need to know that, Tyler.”
“What do you think about this dress, baby?” I asked, ignoring Josie as I turned the phone screen to face Rory. She gave me a skeptical look, but she didn’t look mad about it.
“No lace?”
“No lace or glitter,” I promised. “The straps look supportive, it matches the heels you wore to the party, and it’s black.”
“Black is slimming,” she mumbled to herself thoughtfully, and I scoffed.
“You don’t need to worry about that. You’re gorgeous.”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t pretty, asshole. You know I’ve put on weight since moving in here.”
“Trust me, it’s a good thing. You weren’t healthy before, you were starving. You’re not putting on bad weight. If you’re that worried about it, we can do more cardio at bed time,” I winked, and Josie glared at me.
“Tyler, I love you, but stop. I beg you,” she said sharply, and I shrugged.
“Just trying to help.”
Rory was fighting a smile, her attention going back to my phone as she took it to get a better look at the photo.
“It’s a nice dress. What’s the price tag?” she asked, and I plucked my phone back before she could check.
“It’s none of your business. Just tell me the measurements so they can get it here,” I said with a sweet smile, giving her a quick kiss.
“You’re lucky you’re cute,” she grumbled as Josie handed her shirt back to put on.
“Don’t encourage him,” Josie sighed, handing her pants over next. “Do you want me to call a stylist to—”
“No, thank you,” Rory said quickly, and I didn’t fight her on it. If I told her to get her hair and makeup done, she’d probably back out of our date.
Josie took my phone, eyeing me. “I’ll call the store to put the order in. They’ll fast track it if I do it.”
“Thanks,” I replied, letting her take it as she left the room.
“This is ridiculous and you know it,” Rory said bluntly, leaning into me once she’d gotten her pants back on.
“You’ll have a great time. The garden is really nice to walk around at night.”
“Do I need a jacket?”
“Shit, yes,” I groaned, poking my head out into the hallway. “Rory needs a jack—”
“Already sorted,” Josie replied before continuing with the phone call like I hadn’t interrupted.
I had no idea what she meant, but I knew she wouldn’t let Rory leave without one, so I trusted her to organize it.
“What kind of food do they have?” Rory asked, sitting on her bed and swinging her legs a little as I walked over to sit beside her.
“Lots of stuff. They do a really nice steak. They have a seafood platter you could try. You like fish, right?”
“Sushi?” she questioned hopefully, and I winced.
“No, but there’s a nice sushi place close to it. We could go there another time,” I offered, hesitating before adding, “Or one of the guys could take you there on a date. I’ll let them know you want to go.”
Her face softened and she took my hand, giving it a squeeze. “You’re such a good person. You know that?”
“I’m a good wingman for my boys,” I winked as the door opened and Josie reappeared.
“Dress and jacket are ordered, and I made your dinner reservations for six thirty. It’s under Johnson,” she rattled off, handing my phone back. “I’ve asked for the beachfront view too.”
“Thank you. We’ll be back a little late. We’ll have dessert and a walk in the garden,” I grinned, her worried eyes flicking between us.
“It’s safe?”
“We’ll be careful,” Rory promised, getting to her feet to hug her. “Thank you for giving the guys the note from Mom. Skeet’s looking into it. He knows who my uncle is.”
“He does? I thought he passed away?” she asked with confusion.
“Me too, but he’s alive. He’s in Fairview Prison, actually,” she laughed nervously with a wince. “He runs with Satan’s Soldiers.”
“Can’t he speak to the others about this war that’s going on? He’d protect you, right?” she replied, not looking convinced by her own words.
“He’s in for human trafficking, so I doubt it,” I grunted, taking Rory’s hand. “C’mon, let’s go tell the guys about the sushi.”
That seemed to confuse Josie, but she let us pass as we headed from the room, and Caden gave me a grateful smile when I suggested he took Rory out for sushi soon.
As much as I would have loved to keep her all to myself, I wanted the guys to get the opportunity to take her out too.
That’s what family did.