Page 3 of Burly and Obsessed

“I’ll come in early tomorrow to finish setting up the Labor Day display.”

“No need. Take tomorrow, too, if you need it. But I expect pictures of your handiwork.”

I give him a quick hug. “You’re the best boss ever.”

“Don’t let that get around,” he laughs. “I have a reputation as a hardass to maintain.”

I grab my sandwich from the fridge and text Leesa.

On my way.

* * *

The VA Center looms ahead,its red brick exterior solid and institutional. It’s a functional building, not what most people would think of as a venue for a wedding reception, but my brother is a vet, and the VA Center is important to him.

Before I can grab my purse, the front doors burst open. Leesa flies down the steps, her blonde hair escaping from where she has it pulled back.

“You’re here!” She crashes into me with a hug that nearly knocks me off balance. “Thank you so much for coming.”

“Of course I came.” I return her embrace. “What are future sisters-in-law for?”

Leesa pulls back, her forehead creased from stress. “I’ve been freaking out. The caterer called this morning, saying they couldn’t get something for one of the main dishes, so now I have to go and taste a couple of replacement options.”

“Ugh,” I cringe. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure this place looks amazing for you. Let’s see what we’re working with.” I follow her up the steps, looking around and thinking it’s going to take some magic to make this place look magical for Leesa and my brother.

Inside, my optimism falters. The main hall stretches before us, cavernous and stark. Fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow over beige walls and metal folding chairs stacked in the corner. A bunch of cardboard boxes are scattered near the stage.

“Those are the decorations I ordered.” Leesa gestures toward the boxes. “Tulle, string lights, table runners. The flowers arrive Friday.”

“Leesa, this is a lot for one person.” I turn to face her, suddenly unsure about this. She hadn’t even started decorating the reception hall. “I know you have a lot of faith in me, but I don’t think I can handle all this alone.”

She bites her lip. Then, her expression shifts to something more calculating. “I may have already thought of that.”

“You did?”

“I’ve enlisted some extra help.”

Relief washes over me. “Thank goodness. Hanna and Lindy?” I think of our friends, the girlfriends of two guys on Jax’s crew, who helped throw the bridal shower with Leesa’s best friend Clara.

Leesa’s smile turns mischievous. “Not exactly.”

“Then who?” The way she grins at me makes me pause.

Her eyes sparkle. “I called Ace. He should be here any minute.”

The air leaves my lungs in a rush. “Ace? As in, Ace Lincoln?”

“Do we know another Ace?” Leesa looks entirely too pleased with herself.

“Does Jax know you invited him?”

“Jax is busy working with Damien up at the cabin they’re building for Ghost Security. Jake is stopping by, so Jax needs to be there. Besides,” she pauses, stepping closer to me. “What Jax doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

My heart hammers against my ribs. Ace Lincoln. Here. With me. Alone.

I turn away to hide the flush spreading across my cheeks. My crush on Ace has been building for three years and is as intense as a forest fire. I’ve spent three years relishing the moments when he flirts with me, but not how my overprotective brother chases him off before we can talk to each other alone.

“This is a setup.” I narrow my eyes at her.

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