The Perfect Storm (The Blake Boys Book 6) by Rhonda Laurel Read Free Book Online Page B

bigger princess cut ring with diamonds on the band as well.
    “Good, then I can use that to get the sports channel instead of having a satellite dish installed.” J.J. mused.
    “What are the rules for buying an engagement ring, anyway?” Tate asked.
    “Daddy said the smaller the hand, the bigger the diamond,” Seth quipped.
    A salesperson appeared and put J.J. out of his misery.
    “So have you thought about what you’re going to do after you retire from football?” he asked Seth as he looked at a nice pear of pearl earrings for their momma, who had a birthday coming up.
    “I’m looking at all options that don’t take me away from Morgan and the boys.”
    “Well, there’s a big office down the hall from mine waiting for you when you’re ready.” J.J. smiled.
    “Thanks. It would be nice to work with my big brother. How are things at the office?”
    “Regency is doing their annual audit of security protocols.” J.J. picked up a brochure and thumbed through it.
    “So you’ve met Sam?” Seth gave him a knowing grin.
    J.J. rubbed the back of his neck. “Am I the only person who didn’t know Sam was a woman?”
    “I’m afraid so.”
    “I think Bubba has a thing for her. He bought her a box of these expensive cigars that are hard to get.”
    “Bubba’s been doing those audits with Sam for three years. If he hasn’t made a move by now, I don’t think it’s going to happen. Besides, he’s been dating Felicia for six months now. So do you like her? Or are you curious about Bubba’s love life for another reason?”
    “What’s not to like? She’s beautiful, smart and knows how to handle herself in a fight.”
    “Sounds like a great combination to me.” Seth laughed.
    J.J. motioned to the sales clerk that he wanted the pearls.
    “I’ve meaning to mention this to you. Sports Now contacted my publicist and asked if we’d be interested in doing an interview together.”
    “Really?” J.J. blinked.
    “They’d like to do a highlight of your football days and we’d get to do a joint interview. I think it’s a great idea.” Seth beamed.
    J.J. didn’t know what to say. Those were some dark years, the injury and the recovery. He’d buried the regret and disappointment in the recesses of his mind when he learned he’d never play again. The end of his career was also when he and Eden had begun to unravel. The idea of revisiting all that was nauseating, but maybe Seth was right. Maybe a joint interview—the two of them moving on, and life after football—would fit right in with the new house, the new life, the new outlook.
    “If you’re in, I’m game. Sounds like fun.”
    Besides, spending time with Seth sounded great to him. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his brothers.
    Tate waved them over, when they got there he was holding up the bauble that would cement his future with Isabelle. It was an exquisite ten-carat Asscher-cut diamond ring.
    “That’s quite a statement. Will it affect how she plays the violin?” Seth laughed.
    “She may need physical therapy again to wear it.” J.J. quipped.
    “It’s her.” Tate grinned.
    “It’s an excellent choice. You done good.” J.J. patted his brother on the back. “And I’ll be able to pick up the sports channel when you two come over.”
     
    * * *
     
     
    J.J. had no trouble getting Sam to agree to attending the governor’s party as his plus one. She opened the door and he was not surprised that she looked stunning in an elegant black dress that silhouetted every luscious contour of her toned body.
    “You look nice,” he murmured.
    “Just nice?” she said as she picked up her purse.
    “Sometimes a few simple words are all that’s needed to convey beauty.”
    If he’d said what was really on his mind she would have slapped him. Part of his plan to neutralize his attraction to Sam was to keep it strictly professional until he could figure his out next move, and that included compliments. He couldn’t afford to act stupid.