“Do you like it? Robbie bought it for me. I saw it in the window at Quasars and had to have it,” she gushes, modeling the pale blue dress she’s wearing that is made of silk and probably cost a crap load of money. I have to wonder what Robbie does for a living. I get the feeling it better be good to keep Hilary happy. Hilary, though nice enough, reminds me enough of her mother and the reason why I swore never to commit to a woman that I could get the hives. Not for the first time I’m left wondering how Tabitha even came from this family.
“It’s gorgeous,” Tabitha says, softly. “Hello, Robbie. It’s been a long time.”
I don’t like the way Robbie is looking at Tabitha. At first glance, there’s not a lot I like about the man in general. He’s got beady eyes. I’ve heard that saying, but never actually paid attention to anyone enough to know where it came from. This man could be a poster child for it. Look up beady eyes in the dictionary and this dick would be right there as an example. And if he doesn’t stop looking at Tabitha’s breasts I’m going to deck him.
“Hey Tabby, you’re looking good,” he says and he stands up and moves to kiss her and I don’t care if he is engaged to Tabitha’s sister, or that he was only trying to kiss her cheek. I just know I’m not about to let that happen. I quickly move between them.
“I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Brody Riley. Tabitha is mine.”
“Yours,” he repeats shocked.
I hear Tabitha’s sister and a few others gasp, but something else happens. I hear Tabitha giggle into my back. That lightens my anger marginally. I realize I’m coming off as a caveman, but seriously this man has his fiancé standing right beside him and still stares at Tabitha’s breasts even while he’s talking to her. Then he wants to stand up and touch her.
No fucking way.
“Brody has a way of sounding like a caveman. All those hours in the operating room ordering others around I think,” Tabitha laughs, standing once again to my side. I wrap my arm around her and make myself smile—when what I really want to do is hit this clown. “He means we’re dating.”
“Oh,” Robbie laughs, his eyes going back to Tabitha and I swear to God his eyes are back on her breasts.
“Seriously dating,” I add.
“Oh wow. I can’t wait to see if Tabitha catches my bouquet,” Hilary giggles, and either she’s clueless to the fact that her fiancé is lusting after her sister’s breasts or she just doesn’t give a fuck. I’m on the verge of telling him to adjust his eyes when Tabitha moves us away from them, giving Robbie her back. Thank God. I make sure to keep my hand on her back and walk behind her, because he’s not getting a chance to stare at her ass. Tabitha has a beautiful body and her breasts are indeed perfect but damn her ass could make a man beg. She’s wearing a black dress that laces up the back and it hugs her ass like a second glove. She looks good enough to eat, and I definitely plan on doing that again—and soon.
“Brody, you’ve met my mother and sister, this my father Jason and my Aunt Harriet, and this is Calista and Joseph Stedman, Robbie’s parents. And of course you just met Robbie,” she finishes up lamely, tense again as Calista and Joseph stare at Tabitha with thinly disguised hate.
No wonder Tabitha didn’t want to face all of this alone.
We’re seated and I make sure to put her in the chair that is the farthest away from Robbie. We’re still too close for my liking, but now the bastard will see me first when he looks at Tabitha and that’s exactly how it should be.
“Tabitha, I’m surprised you could get time off work to take part in the wedding. Your mother says all you do is work, that you have no real life,” Calista murmurs, taking a drink of her wine.
Again, Tabitha stiffens beside me. The waiter comes by and we order before Tabitha gets time to respond, but that doesn’t stop Calista.
“I suppose your boyfriend was able to get you to take a day off. It’s probably helpful having someone who doesn’t mind giving up living a normal life for the sake of a career.”
“A normal life?” I ask, before Tabitha can talk.
“A home, family, a real life.”
“I can assure you Mrs. Stedman that despite our working hours Tabitha and I have a very normal life.”
“I don’t see how it can be, what with all the hours you work. You must never get time alone,” she argues.
“We manage,” Tabitha says. “Hilary is everything ready for the wedding?” she asks trying to divert the conversation to another topic, which is probably a good idea.