Page 109 of The Whole Package

I laugh out a sigh. “It’s definitely not the same comfort, bro. But I’m sorry to say I don’t miss living with you guys at all.”

It was true and not. Living with the guys had been a big part of my life for so long that not having a bunch of nosy roommates was almost weird.

But still, I didn’t miss it.

“Whatever. You know you love me,” he retorts and turns to Archer, both launching into conversation. Enzo was the only one who couldn’t make it tonight and that was because he was working on making head chef at his restaurant and had to be there during prime hours. We were proud of him, so I didn’t give him too much shit for missing tonight.

“Warren,” a voice to my right pulls my attention away from Derek and I bristle at the sight of Jasper fucking Pierce.

“Jasper,” I reply coolly, reminding myself to not make a scene.

“Hey man, no hard feelings?” He holds out a hand for me, and I feel my face betray my ‘stay cool’ mantra. My eyebrows rise and my mouth quirks into a sarcastic and disbelieving grin.

“No hard feelings?” I muse, wondering what to do here.

“Yeah, man, I mean, it worked out, right? I get to stay with my girl, take over the company and you get to keep Jane. She’s fucking sexy as hell, dude, cong—”

My right fist swings before I can think it through.

Actually, no. I thought it through. And I’m not fucking sorry.

I knock Jasper Pierce right on his ass. He holds his left eye and groans on the floor. All the while, the guys surround me and make praising comments. Archer makes a comment about good form and Garrett pats me on the back.

“Shit. That was fucking awesome,” Derek says and bounces on his feet. “Hell, I wanna hit someone. Quick, Garrett, say something offensive!”

Garrett ignores Derek and security comes in and picks him up. Jane rushes to my side, her eyes wide and—dare I say—amused?

“Warren?” she says my name as kind of a question, but her eyes shine with pride.

“Sorry, baby,” I reply, not sorry at all.

“Sorry for what?” she responds with a grin and I lean in to press a kiss to her lips.

I did say I was going to punch that motherfucker the next time I saw him.

After dinner and drinks and speeches on top of speeches, dancing starts and I immediately whisk Jane into my arms, breathing her in.

This. Right here.

It was all I ever wanted, and I was never letting her go.

Jane

The night had gone off without a hitch and I could breathe easier now that we were to the dancing portion of the night. I breathed even easier when Warren wrapped me in his arms, and we started to sway back and forth.

I wouldn’t ever admit it out loud, but after Warren told me why specifically he’d hit Jasper tonight, I wanted to whisk him off to a broom closet and show him how much I appreciated him having my back.

I only wish I’d had a chance to hit Jasper, too.

I watch as Graham and Quinn take the dance floor as well and smile at their happy grins, then Chris and April, Warren’s parents, and to my surprise, Archer and Viv start dancing and Derek takes Molly onto the dance floor.

I frown as I watch, mostly in confusion, as Warren’s friends all wrap their hands around my friends. “Um.” I start and Warren just shakes his head.

“Let’s just ignore it,” he advises, and I laugh at him.

“I’m not meddling… just checking things out.”

“Mhm,” he mumbles, bringing his nose to my ear and breathing in deep. “You smell amazing.”

---