“Thank you.”
“I’m glad she finally went after what she wanted more than her next breath,” his words trail off as he watches Rachel and her date.
The date puts his arm around his cousin’s waist and his hand lands on her hip.
My eyes snap to Alexander when I hear a low growl, so I quickly step in front of the man when he takes a step forward. He pulls up short.
“It’s none of my business, but I don’t think either of you want attention from your family right now.”
He sighs and shoves his hands through his already messy hair, and moans. “I think everyone probably knows by now, anyway.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
He looks at me and as Dylan, another cousin, comes up to talk to us, Alexander makes his excuses and goes after his date.
“Something I said.” Dylan grins. “I think I’m the easiest cousin to be around, right now.”
Our cousin, Jaxon, shoves Dylan out of the way. “I’m the only one who doesn’t have a love life, so I’d say that was me.”
“You have a girl Dylan?” his mother, Carla asks, linking her arm through his.
I smirk around the bottle of beer I’ve collected from the table behind me while I watch Dylan shoot Jaxon evil glances.
Jaxon snorts, laughing. “He doesn’t really have a girl,” he informs me. “I saw his mom behind him.” He grins and shakes his head. “No doubt he’ll get me back.” He shovels a large piece of cake into his mouth, and mumbles around the food, “You’ll get used to us, and then you’ll probably regret being a part of the family.”
“Ignore him,” Charlotte smacks him on the back of his head. “Don’t talk with your mouthful. Geez, are you still five.”
I laugh as he wanders off and Charlotte admits, “I’m sure he’d have said something inappropriate if his mouth hadn’t been stuffed.”
“Probably.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her to my side. “Nothing, and no one, will ever scare me away from you.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “I thought you should know.”
“God, I shouldn’t hear that shit about my sister.” Joshua makes a gagging noise.
“Ignore my brothers…and cousins, they all regress to childhood when we’re at family parties.” She winks and turns to her brother. “Can we borrow your cuffs?”
Joshua’s smile disappears as the words die in his mouth. He narrows his eyes, opens his mouth to say something then closes it quickly before he turns and disappears in the crowd. Charlotte smirks. “I knew that would shut him up. We all tease him about his cuffs and what he’s used them for. He hasn’t told us so far…he will.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure. He’s FBI, right? He’ll be able to hold out longer than anyone in this room, I’d guess.”
“Hmm…that’s debatable.”
I raise a brow. “What are you planning?”
“Nothing, but I once caught him looking at his superior when I visited him at his office. She didn’t look much older than him, but even though he’s my brother, the look he sent in her direction was hot and steamy. It was weird. He laughed it off, but I know him.”
I roll my eyes and tug her into my arms. “It’s nearly midnight, and I want to be dancing with you when the New Year hits…So,” I kiss her sweet lips, “I suggest you stop seeing things that may or may not be happening around you, and concentrate on your fiancé.”
“Mmm,” her arms wrap tightly around my waist, as the blare from the TV at Times Square counts down, “I love you, Tanner Jackson, and I can’t wait to become your wife in fourteen days.”
Three…Two…
“I love you, Charlotte McKenzie.” My lips capture my fiancée’s as every one screams, Happy New Year.
The noise is drowned out by the blood rushing through my ears at my own eager response to the woman in my arms.
She means the world to me and in fourteen days, I’ll be running down the aisle to make her my wife.
Epilogue