“That mother—” I keep a tight hold on his hand so he can’t chase after the new guy who doesn’t know better.
“Don’t ruin this for me,” I hiss. Joe leans back in his seat, pulling out his phone with his other hand. “What are you doing?” Joe is not one to play on his phone and I’m the only person he’ll text, period.
“I’m on a date with my wife. Not killing people.”
“The night is young,” I sing-song.
“That is true. I’ve got all kinds of plans for you and I.” My body heats, wondering what he’s got in store for us.
A few moments later a to-go bag lands on our table and I look over at Joe. “What the—”
“Thanks, Pappy,” Joe says, slipping out of the booth and dropping the money onto the table. “Better grab your ranch.”
“Why? What are you—” I’m out of the booth instantly and I know if he could throw me over his shoulder he would, but we both know I don’t have panties on. I grab my ranch and coat just as he pulls me out of the bar.
“He was only being friendly.” I try to reason with Joe but I know it’s a lost cause. I can’t even be mad because I enjoy Joe’s possessiveness. Tonight is going to be so good. Wings and wild, hard sex. What more could a girl ask for?
Epilogue
Joe
10 years later…
All week everyone has been reminding me my big fortieth birthday is coming up. Everyone except Kayla.
I’ve told her for the past month not to do a surprise party. I don’t want a big production. I just want to spend time with her and the kids like any other day. Maybe a night alone would be nice, but no party.
The fact that she hasn’t even once mentioned my birthday to me is telling me she’s planning one. She thinks she’s sneaky, but the sneakier she tries to be, the more obvious she is. I caught her whispering to Barbie about a cake last night at Sophie’s soccer practice.
I could get mad and make a big deal about her doing what I specifically asked her not to, but honestly, I don’t think I could stand to see the look of disappointment on her face. So I’m going to suck it up and put on a smile for her because I know she’s probably gone to a lot of trouble to plan this out. Even if I didn’t want it.
“Are you ready?” Shaw asks when he comes in the house.
“Yeah,” I sigh, pushing off the couch and following him out the front door. “So are you going to tell me about the surprise, or do I just have to wait?”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Oh, there’s no way in hell I’m ruining this for Kayla or Barbara. They’ve given me strict instructions.”
I nod as I get in his truck and we drive towards downtown. Shaw called me last night and said he wanted me to check the security in the back of Barbie’s bookstore for him. Shaw was the one that had it installed, so I knew there was no real reason for me to go with him other than an excuse to get me out of the house.
When we pull up to the front of the bookstore I jump out and see the place has all the lights off. “Shouldn’t we go around back?” I ask, and Shaw winks at me.
“Nah, we’ll go in the front.”
He unlocks the door and walks in first. I follow in after him and just as I step inside, the lights come on and everyone shouts “surprise!”
I’m shocked for a second because I don’t see Kayla, but I do see a ton of the guys I served with in the Marines.
“Jacob?” I call out and he comes running up to me and we hug. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Your wife, man, she got all of us together.” He turns around and I see our whole group of friends from across the country made the trip just for this and I can’t believe it.
“Ramon, no way!” I hug him too, still not believing that they’re all here. “How the hell did my wife get you out of that cabin in Alaska?”
“She didn’t give me an option,” he says, slapping me on the back.
One by one all the guys give me hugs and I realize the bookstore is packed with people who have meant so much to me. Shaw and Barbie are over in the corner and he tips his beer to me as I’m swept up in another hug.
Of course Kayla didn’t just throw me a surprise party. She got everyone here from all over the world just for me. Damn, that wife of mine and her sneaky ways. I keep looking around to find her, but before I can, the crowd parts.