Page 49 of Matched By Mistake
He walked into the Texas Cattleman’s Club looking around for his brother, and he wasn’t hard to spot. Marcus was six-three and stood out above the crowd. Marcus waved when he saw Jericho and he waved back.
He gave his brother a hug and they ordered drinks before taking them to a high table toward the back of the bar area where they could have some privacy.
“What’s up? It’s not like you to want to have drinks,” Jericho said.
“I was wondering what’s up with you. It’s not like you to be all over social media. That’s usually my gig,” Marcus said.
“Yeah, I know. It’s surreal.”
“Add to that Mom and Dad talking about the Del Rio family and not cursing their name...figured it was time for us to catch up,” Marcus said.
He smiled at his younger brother, who smiled back, flashing his dimple. “Not much to tell. I’m dating Maggie.”
“I could get that from the viral posts I’ve seen of the two of you. Is it real? I think it must be given that Dad is actually talking to Fernando about possible mutual business deals,” Marcus said.
“It is real. It started as sort of a favor for Trey.”
“Trey asked you to fake-date a hot woman?” Marcus asked sardonically.
“Yeah, that’s the kind of brother I am, so I said yes.”
Marcus laughed. “You’re the best about that. Seriously, though, you’ve only known her like what, two weeks? Now everyone is all nicey-nicey.”
When it was put like that, Jericho sort of understood why Marcus had suggested they have drinks. “Yeah, I know it’s been fast, but it feels real.”
Once again Jericho had that moment where he wanted to talk about what he was feeling but honestly he had no words to express it. What was he going to say that wouldn’t make him sound like some simpering idiot?Somehow I really like her.That might be true, but he wouldn’t utter those words to anyone, let alone one of his brothers.
“Yeah? I’m on the k!smet app and have had a few matches, but they’ve all been casual.”
Jericho had been exactly where his brother was. That was what he’d expected when he and Maggie had been matched. So why was it different? Was that what Marcus wanted to know? Was his brother trying to navigate things changing in his own relationships? Frankly Jericho wasn’t the brother for that kind of advice.
“I don’t know why it’s different. I mean I guess I do. It’s all down to Maggie. She’s not like other women. On the surface she could be, but there is so much more to her than—”
“Bro, sounds like you’re in—”
“Don’t say it. Don’t.” He cut Marcus off. Was he in love? Hell, he thought he might be. Nomightabout it. He knew he was. But he wasn’t about to talk about it or admit that to anyone other than Maggie first. And he wasn’t sure she felt that way. Sure, they had been spending all of their time together but at the same time, he knew he was the first man she’d dated since her broken engagement.
That in and of itself made him...wary. Which wasn’t his MO at all so he was ignoring it.
“Okay, but you know if you feel that strongly about not saying it...you definitely feel it.”
He just nodded. “Yeah, but I want to tell her first.”
Marcus clapped his hand on Jericho’s shoulder and squeezed it, looking like he was about to say more, when Jericho’s phone rang.
“It’s Dad,” Jericho said to Marcus.
He answered the call. “Dad, what’s up?”
“There’s been a break-in at Winters Industries,” Joseph said.
“Okay.” He wasn’t sure why his dad was telling him. “Did you call Sheriff Battle?”
“I did and he’s on his way. But I think you should come down here, too.”
“Why?”
“From the surveillance footage... Well, son, there’s no easy way to say this. I think it was Maggie who broke in.”
