She poked him in the ribs. “I hope you weren’t working.”
“Uh, no. It was nothing.” Handing the phone back to Becky, he smiled. “Thank you. It’s all in order.”
He turned back to Jenna. “So what would you like to do since you’re here early?”
“I want to walk through everything for the wedding, see what it’s going to look like.” She grinned back at her fiancé beatifically. “It’s going to be incredible, getting married in paradise. Perfect way to start our lives together.”
“If it makes you happy.” Mike moved closer and held his arms open.
Jenna slipped out from under Liam’s arm and into Mike’s embrace. She whispered something in his ear, and the man leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “You’re footing the bill, so I’ll shut up. Most important thing is that we end up husband and wife.”
Liam bit back the caustic words that burned his throat. Mike had just confirmed what Liam most feared—that the minor league baseball player was, indeed, riding along on his sister’s dime. And now the guy was officially a free agent, which was sportsspeak for “unemployed.”
Jenna deserved better than a tag-along kind of guy. She deserved someone who was her equal. Sure, Mike might be considered a handsome man, but there were issues beyond looks. Serious issues. Things like the guy’s temper and his tendency to take his frustrations—anyfrustrations—out on Jenna. Add his just-confirmed financial leeching and it came together to equal one fundamental truth: the man wasn’t remotely fit to be Jenna’s husband.
If Liam were to compare Mike to, say, Ella, she would take the win in every category. She was far more loyal, driven and accomplished than the baseball player ever would be.
As if she’d heard his innermost thoughts, Jenna glanced up at Mike and said in a rebellious stage whisper, “I’m telling him.”
Her groom rolled his shoulders, looking back and forth between his soon-to-be wife and future brother-in-law. “It hasn’t hit the news, sweetheart.”
“So? It’s happening, Mike.” She twisted inside his embrace and faced Liam. “Mike’s been called up.”
Liam’s brows rose. “To what?”
“You’re so British,” she said, laughing. “The major leagues, Liam. He’s been called up as their relief pitcher. He’ll be going to spring training with the team.”
“I assume that comes with a paycheck.” He stared at the other man, who simply stared back.
“A good one.”
“And what, exactly, is ‘good’ in your ledger? Does ‘good’ provide for my sister under any and every circumstance?”
“Liam!”
Mike moved in front of Jenna, all but physically shoving her aside. “What the hell is your problem, Baggett?”
“Problem?” Liam laughed out loud. “It begins, and ends, with you.”
“Stop it.” Jenna’s hissed command was ignored until she wedged herself between the two men. “Just stop it. This is my wedding.”
“Our wedding,” Mike corrected, his sharp tone cutting through the air.
She shot him a look. “Our wedding.” Rounding on Liam, she drove a finger into his chest. “You need to stop provoking Mike. Now. And I don’t want either of you ruining the wedding with this bullshit posturing and chest thumping. Do you hear me?”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Mike said softly before kissing the top of her head.
Liam said nothing.
Jenna glared at him.
Silence.
Mike broke into what was fast becoming a battle of wills. “The concierge was able to get us into rooms early. Some family ended up having to go home early, so we’re taking their rooms until the ceremony, when we’ll be moved to the honeymoon suite.”
Liam almost choked.
Mike continued, unaware. “Let’s go check out our rooms, unpack and get settled in. Then you can call Liam, maybe have him introduce us to the event coordinator you hired. She can show us around.”