Page 115 of His Surrender

“I absolutely did.”

“You were delusional.”

He points at me. “I knew the instant I saw you two together. The way you looked at her. And how often you brought her up.”

“I barely talk about her.”

His eyebrows turn down. “You called me once because she made pancakes.”

“I was talking about breakfast.”

“You described the pancakes.”

I stare at the floor. “They were good pancakes.”

He looks at Kayla. “See?”

She snorts. “I do remember the pancake phone call.”

I rub a hand over my face. “I hate both of you.”

“No, you don’t,” Sawyer replies.

“No”—I sigh— “I really don’t.”

Before Sawyer can think of another way to torture me, footsteps sound on the hardwood floors.

Our conversation stops just as Aubrey walks into the room … and every coherent thought leaves my head.

She’s wearing a simple white dress that hugs her just enough before flowing softly to just above her knees. Gold heels catch the light with every step, matching the delicate jewelry at her ears and wrist.

Her hair falls in loose waves over her shoulders, and somehow, she’s managed to look effortlessly elegant while still looking unmistakably like herself.

Beautiful doesn’t even begin to cover it.

She smiles uncertainly. “What?”

I realize everyone was just staring at her, including me—especially me.

“You …” I clear my throat, suddenly unable to remember how words work. “You look …”

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Too much?”

I shake my head immediately. “Not even close.”

A smile slowly spreads across my face.

I look her up and down again. “You look incredible.”

Color blooms across her cheeks. “Thank you.”

Sawyer leans toward me just enough so that only I can hear. “Close your mouth.”

Without taking my eyes off Aubrey, I reach over and smack him again.

He laughs loud enough that Aubrey looks between us suspiciously.

“What was that?”