“You are here,” Austin said, “because I need your help. Both of you.”
Owen glanced at Chad out of the corner of his eye. Despite his deceptively casual position, the guy was strung tight. “I’m sorry,” Chad said. “But I’m going to need you to spit this out quickly, because it’s getting close to my nap time.”
“And everything has to revolve around you?” Owen snapped before he realized what he said.
Chad’s gaze whipped to him, and bloodshot eyes narrowed. Austin’s eyebrows lifted. And Owen wanted to melt into his seat.
“I’m sure you’ve got exciting Saturday plans, too.” Chad sipped his coffee. “Like organizing your bookshelves, maybe? I bet you hate when books are out of place.”
Owen glared as Austin cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, but have you met already?”
“No,” Owen blurted, at the same time Chad said, “Briefly.”
Austin’s eyebrows stayed elevated for a moment. Owen bit his lips together so he didn’t say anything further. And Chad didn’t seem like he was going to be forthcoming. In fact, he’d dropped his sunglasses down back over his eyes.
Austin gazed at them steadily and then shrugged, his expression returning to neutral. “Okay, well, to the point, I need your help because I’m planning Marley’s proposal.”
Chad’s sunglasses clattered to the table. “I’m sorry, what?”
Austin’s cheeks pinked, but it was the only indication he was emotional about this whole situation. “I’m asking your sister to marry me. And I want…a very specific proposal.” He turned to Owen. “You know her better than a lot of people, plus you are organized and professional.” Then he switched his gaze to Chad. “And you—well, you’re her brother so I figure you should be involved.”
“Uh, thanks,” Chad muttered.
“And,” Austin added, “you know how to throw a party.”
Owen needed clarification. “I’m sorry. You want us to help you propose to Marley?”
Austin nodded. “I know what I want, but I’m not good at orchestrating social events. That’s where you two will come in.”
“Wait, wait.” Chad waved a hand. “I’m still stuck on this proposal thing. You’re asking Mars to marry you?”
Austin blinked at him. “I love her.”
Chad opened his mouth, seeming to grapple for words, before he licked his lips and plunged ahead. “I know that, but, dude, I just…marriage? Really? That’s a life commitment, man.”
Owen elbowed him. “Are you questioning him about this? He wants us to help him with the proposal, not counsel him on the future of his relationship.”
Chad’s eyes sparked, and he opened his mouth, but Austin cut him off. “I already called your mother and father to tell them I plan to propose.”
Chad rolled his eyes. “Of course they’re going to say yes. They think marriage is just another form of dating and have each remarried more times than Jennifer Lopez.”
Owen didn’t return that with snark. Marley had mentioned before that their parents were divorced. She still seemed a little sad about it, but Chad seemed bitter.
Owen closed his eyes. No, no way was he going to feel bad for Chad or get involved in this guy’s feelings. It didn’t matter if he was Marley’s brother—he was kind of a jerk. And Owen didn’t have to like him to plan a party with him.
Leaning forward and softening his voice, Chad said, “Okay, so I’m assuming you’ve made the decision and you are definitely proposing.”
Austin seemed reluctant to look away from Chad. “Yes, definitely.”
Owen glanced at Chad, who was staring off into the center of the diner, clearly lost in thought. Owen reached under the table and gripped his knee to bring him back to attention. This was a big moment for Austin, and while he understood Chad might be caught off guard, this was his future brother-in-law. Because Owen knew Marley would for sure say yes.
Chad jolted at the contact but didn’t pull away. The tension in his body was evident through the firm muscle in his thigh, but slowly, he relaxed and then looked at Austin with a smile that didn’t seem too forced. “Sorry, man. I just…was surprised. And I’m a little hungover, so my manners are shit. I’m happy you’re proposing. I know you love Mars, and she loves you so, yeah. I’m happy.”
Owen told himself to remove his hand, that it’d done its purpose. But those jeans were soft and that thigh was warm and didn’t Chad deserve a little reward for manning up? So Owen slid his hand just a little bit higher on Chad’s leg, using the inseam as his guide. Chad tensed up again, and Owen stopped, but then slowly, very slowly, while Austin was busy ordering something from the waitress, Chad spread his legs just a little wider, so his knee brushed Owen’s.