Page 98 of All In

“Of course I do, but he’s my husband, and he invited Josh himself.”

“I can leave.” Josh’s voice pulls my attention, and he looks so much like a kicked puppy that it just pisses me off. Not at him. Not really, but a little bit, because I don’t like feeling sorry for him.

I shake my head. “Nah, Harlow wanted you here. You’re welcome to stay.” I nod at Andy. “Andy, nice to see you again.”

“You too.”

And, of course, Harlow would come back out right now. His eyes light up when he sees me, but then his face falls when he takes in the scene. “Hey, everyone.”

“Harlow, thanks for inviting us,” Josh says quietly, his gaze lowering to the ground.

Andy steps a little closer to him, and it almost looks like he places his hand on his back for a second before pulling it away and stepping back. I’m still focusing on that when Harlow clears his throat.

“Why is it so weird?”

I laugh, and Annette scoffs. “It’s weird because this man left you at the altar.”

All the conversation around the room comes to an abrupt halt as Harlow blinks at his mom.

“Mom, I invited him. We’re… friends. We weren’t right for each other, and we know that. You know that. This is literally my celebration with Gray. You know, my husband. The man I did marry?”

They stand in a silent stare-off. Harlow is just as stubborn as Annette, if not more. And he’s been doted on his entire life. There’s no way he’s not going to win this one.

After a few seconds, she huffs out an annoyed sound. “Whatever.” Turning to Josh, she holds her hand out, and he carefully reaches for it, shaking hers. “Thanks for coming, I guess. There’s food over there.”

Without another word, she turns on her heel and walks away, and the conversation mostly goes back to normal.

Harlow cackles. “Oh my God. So dramatic.”

Josh laughs too, but it doesn’t sound like he thinks it’s as funny as Harlow. “She’s your mom. Of course she’s gonna be protective of you.”

Andy snorts. “Is that how it’s supposed to work?”

Something dark passes over Josh’s face, and I cock my head, studying him. What in the hell is going on there? What am I missing?

Harlow tends to live life in his own little world, and I fucking love that about him, but I don’t; I’m observant, and I’m observing some shit for sure. But now is not the time to be getting into it.

“Well,” Harlow says, smiling brightly and proving my point. “Food is over here if you guys are hungry.”

Reaching out, Josh shakes my hand. “Congratulations. I wish you all many years of happiness.”

I’m not gonna thank him, even though I probably should—for talking Harlow off a ledge and sending him back to me, if nothing else. But I can’t quite make myself do it, so I just offer him a small smile.

Josh turns to Andy. “Do you wanna go grab something?”

Andy agrees, and I catch Harlow’s hand in mine as the two of them walk across the room. Andy is sticking close to Josh’s side, which I guess makes sense. The guy about got attacked right from the start. I can imagine he probably wants to protect his brother.

“My mom told me they’re doing a first dance for us.” Harlow rolls his eyes, but he can’t hide how happy that idea makes him. “I have no idea if we had a first dance in Vegas, but I think it could be fun.”

“Are you gonna grind that sweet little ass on me like you did in that Vegas club, baby?” I ask, brushing my lips over his ear.

He laughs, but it’s breathless. “I don’t plan to. Last time I did, you took me into the alley and made me come my brains out. Not that I’m opposed to a repeat, but maybe not here. Besides, Mom said it’s supposed to be a slow dance.”

“I’d be honored to dance with you, my husband.”

Even still, I can’t believe I get to say those words. The last couple months have been a fucking whirlwind.

My dad waves us over. “They’re about to start your dance.”