I choke on absolutely nothing. “Dad.”
Ivy releases a laugh behind her hand, clearly enjoying this far too much.
Corey’s mouth curves. “We’re here with Claire,” he answers, giving my father his full attention.
Dad stares at him for a long second, then lets his gaze move over Brody and Jakob as if he’s taking their measure one by one.
My mother touches his sleeve. “David.”
“I’m only asking.” His voice stays even, but there’s a weight beneath it I know too well. He isn’t angry, exactly. He’s being careful in the way he’d been careful when he first met my sister’s now husband—worried and trying not to show it. “It’s unexpected. That’s all.”
“That makes four of us,” I mutter.
Corey hears me and gives me the smallest wink, just enough to tell me he isn’t offended, embarrassed, or about to abandon me to the wolves. Brody straightens, the grin still there but softened at the edges. “For what it’s worth, sir, Claire didn’t plan on making an entrance. We may have contributed to the dramatic effect of joining her together.”
“That’s one way to put it,” I say under my breath.
Brody chuckles. “She handled it better than we did.”
I turn my head and stare at him. “That is wildly untrue.”
Jakob, quiet until now, says, “She handled it well.” There’s no teasing in his voice. Dad stares between the three of them again, then tips his chin toward a standing table a few feet away. “I’d like a word.”
“Dad, you don’t need to interrogate them,” I whisper.
“I just want to talk,” he explains firmly.
Ivy makes a small humming sound. “Historically debatable.”
Mom swats her lightly, but even she’s trying not to smile.
Dad ignores them both. “A word,” he repeats, and this time his eyes settle on Brody. “Man to man.”
Corey glances at Jakob. “Do we all count for that, or is this more of a lead spokesman situation?” It’s said dryly, almost politely, and somehow that makes it worse because Ivy snorts a laugh.
Dad studies them for a beat, then says, “All three of you.”
Corey nods, accepting his fate with far too much dignity. “Fair enough.”
I catch Brody’s sleeve before he can step away. “You don’t have to do this.”
His gaze drops to my hand on his arm, then lifts to my face. The humor eases from his expression, leaving something warmer behind. “Claire, your father’s worried about you. I can respect that.”
Before I can answer, Corey leans slightly toward me and lowers his voice. “Relax. I’m very charming with parents.”
“That’s what concerns me.”
His grin flashes. “Good. Your instincts work.”
Jakob passes close enough that his fingers brush mine. “We won’t make it worse.”
I study all three of them, not even slightly intimidated by the fatherly storm they’re walking into.
10
CLAIRE
My sister slides closer, watching them go. “Well, this should be fun. And I thought the wedding was going to be a snorefest. Yet this is the most interesting thing that has happened at a wedding in a long time.”