Was Bran actually jealous? Did he care about her, after all? Steph’s heart caught in her throat.
“I’m not joking.” Finn turned his head to Stephanie and caught her gaze. “I’m still waiting for your answer.”
“We’ve already talked about this.” Bran’s deep voice rumbled, as dangerous as his dark expression. “You’re not stealing my personal assistant.”
Steph’s heart plummeted into her gut, landing with a sickening thud. She turned her head, blinking back sudden tears. Why couldn’t she get it through her thick head? He didn’t love her. He needed her. Stephanie forced a lump of air down her constricted throat.
“Finn…” She extended her hand toward him. “I accept.”
“No.” Branson’s face was blood-red, heavy jaw muscles bulging. “I won’t allow it.”
“Finn isn’t being serious, Branson,” Carina interjected, one brow arched high on her forehead and fingers tapping out a tense rhythm on her crossed arms. “But, Branson… I want to know why you’re so concerned about Stephanie?”
“Carina’s got a point,” said Finn. “You’re marrying her, so you don’t need Steph anymore.” Finn covered his mouth with his hand and coughed, a gesture Steph suspected was covering a chuckle, though it didn’t seem funny to her.
Finn’s hilarity was short-lived, as Branson shot forward, grasping his collar in a balled fist and pushing him stumbling backwards into the path of passersby who yelled and scattered out of the way.
Steph gasped, thinking they would both end up in a pile on the floor, but Finn managed to stay upright and shake free of his grasp. Bran had succeeded in moving them beyond earshot, but it was obvious the two were exchanging angry words.
“We should do something.” Steph feared Finn had gone too far, this time.
“They’ll be fine.” Jarrett yawned.
How can he be so relaxed at a time like this?
“Don’t you care?” Steph punched his arm to get his attention and pointed toward Bran and Finn. “This could be the end of their friendship.”
“Nah.” Cole appeared on her other side. “They’re like an old married couple. They’ve been fighting like this for fifteen-plus years. Finn knows just how much he can push Bran’s buttons without sending him over the edge.”
Branson’s hands flailed like a madman as he vented his wrath on Finn.
Steph mumbled, “Hope you’re right.”
Chapter 12
I’ve had enough, Finn.” Branson seriously considered taking a swing in the general direction of Finn’s jaw. He might’ve done it, if they hadn’t been in a public place.
Finn shook out of his grasp. “Hold on, buddy. I know you’re riled up right now, but later on, you’re going to thank me.”
“For stealing my personal assistant? I’m supposed to be grateful?”
“Ignore that part for a second, and listen to me. You don’t want to marry Carina this weekend, do you?”
“I’ve already told her I won’t marry her, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I only agreed to get a marriage license to put her off.”
“So, you need me there, to make sure things don’t get out of hand.” Finn’s hand came to rest on his arm, as if he thought all was forgiven.
Bran flung his hand away, fostering his fury. “Marrying Stephanie is your way of doing that?”
Finn huffed in exasperation. “In the fifteen years we’ve know each other, have I ever stabbed you in the back?”
Bran hesitated, though he knew the answer, loathe to admit his anger was unfounded. “There was that time at camp when you put my hand in warm water while I was sleeping, trying to make me wet the bed.”
“As I recall, that was in retaliation for when you put Kool-Aid powder in the shower head,” Finn said, wryly. “And if that’s the worst you can think of—”
“Okay. You’re right.” Bran took a deep breath and held it, willing his heart rate to slow. “But why are you doing this? Why involve Stephanie?”
“I think Carina’s pulling a stunt of some kind, and I’m trying to get to the bottom of it. I can only think of one reason she’d insist on getting a marriage license tonight, when you’ve already sworn you won’t marry her in Vegas. She’s planning to trick you into getting married here.”