THE LAST PLACE Tom wanted to be was at a restaurant, waiting for Reid and Quin Rexford to arrive for brunch. The only reason he was there sat next to him and put her hand on his thigh.
“Thank you for doing this,” she said to him.
“I’m only here for you,” he said, closing his hand over hers. “I know this is important to you, and you’re important to me.”
She smiled. “I know they can be a lot to take. They’re pretty overbearing.”
“I know, and I don’t mind. If I had a sister, I would probably act in a similar way. They’re just trying to protect you. But when they say anything nasty to you, that’s when I have a problem.”
“Don’t worry about me. I can handle them.”
“I know you can. And if it gets too intense, we’ll just order booze.”
She smiled. “Good idea.”
A shadow slid over the table, and she looked up and saw that Quin and Reid were taking seats across from them.
“Good morning,” Gemma said.
Tom could have jumped across the table when Quin grunted back a response. “You don’t have to like me, but you’ll show Gemma the respect she deserves,” he warned.
“Good morning, Gem,” Quin said solely to Gemma.
“Well, this is off to a great start,” Gemma muttered. The server came and poured them each a coffee. “Where are Dad and the girls?”
“They all decided that this is something we have to work out without them.”
“So, what are we doing here, Gem?” Reid asked.
“This brunch was your idea,” she said. “Both of you. I want you both to just sit down with me and Tom. Let’s work out whatever problems you have with this.”
“This will always be a problem with me,” Reid told him.
“With me, too,” Quin added. “Of all the guys out there, you pick him.”
Tom rolled his eyes as they discussed him like he wasn’t even at the table. And he was completely over it. “Look, guys, I understand you’re pissed. And given the history between our families and what happened in the past, I don’t blame you. Saying that, I do want to apologize for coming to the party. I knew it wasn’t smart. I shouldn’t have done it. But I won’t apologize for being with Gemma.” He felt Gemma’s grip on his thigh tighten, but he didn’t pull his eyes away from Reid’s.
“I see,” Reid said.
Tom continued. “And before you say anything else to berate Gemma for our relationship, I would advise you not to. And I think if you haven’t already, you owe her an apology.”
Gemma waved down a server and ordered a round of drinks for the table. It probably wasn’t going as well as she’d wanted. But Tom felt good. He’d said his piece, and there was nothing else to say.
“I’m sorry, Gem,” Quin muttered.
Reid cleared his throat. “Me, too.”
“Thank you,” she said.
Tom leaned back in his seat, as did Reid and Quin. It was a while before anyone spoke. The server returned with a pitcher of sangria and four glasses. “Are you ready to order?” she asked, pouring them each a glass.
“Not quite yet,” Gemma told her.
“Let’s get this out of the way,” Reid said, leaning forward, resting his elbows on the table. “I don’t like you. I don’t like your family. I don’t like that you’re with my sister.”
“Reid,” Gemma whispered, her anger evident.
“I completely understand where you’re coming from. Carolina screwed you over. I can’t excuse what she did, but I don’t feel the need to apologize for that woman. But here’s the thing. You don’t have to like me. I don’t particularly like you, either. But I like Gemma. In fact, I love her.”
Reid said nothing to him but turned his attention to Gemma. “We can’t tell you what to do. Gemma, you’re a grown woman, capable of making your own decisions.”
“Thanks for your permission,” she said with ice in her voice.
“This isn’t about permission. You don’t need it,” Reid told her. “How long has it been going on?”
“Since Jamaica,” Gemma told them.
“Since Jamaica?” Quin echoed.
“You heard me.”
Tom laid his hand over hers. She didn’t need him there. She was more than capable of handling her brothers.
“How could you keep something like this secret? I just wish you would have told us sooner,” Reid said. “Instead of blindsiding us with this.”
“In what situation would telling you have been easy? I know that any way I did it you would have freaked out.” She paused. “Okay, maybe it was a little dramatic, doing it before the party. But I wanted you to meet him. The right way. Without any of the business involved.”
“That’s another matter altogether,” Reid said, turning to Tom. “What’s your game here with Gemma? I know your company is on its way down. Are you here to mess with your competitor? Maybe steal more of our recipes—”
Tom had had enough. “You wait a goddamn minute,” he said, probably a little too loud for Sunday brunch, earning them looks from surrounding diners. He lowered his voice. As far as he was concerned, Reid could say what he wanted about him, but when it came to his relationship with Gemma, he wouldn’t hear it. “There’s no fucking game, and I’m disgusted that you think there might be. I love Gemma,” he repeated. “And we’re going to be together whether you like it or not.”
“Fine. If you say so. I don’t like it, but I guess it isn’t up to me.”
“No, it’s not,” Tom said. He could feel Gemma’s hand on his thigh. He felt comfort from the small gesture. The simple fact was that the more time he spent with her, the closer they became. He had fallen in love with Gemma, and there was nothing her brothers could do to stop it.