Page 342 of The Romance Adventure

“Alright, alright. This isn’t an interrogation,” I say, clearing them out.

“So, you’re really married?” Magnus asks.

“Yes,” I answer.

Royal clicks his tongue and shakes his head like he doesn’t buy it. “I have a question. CJ, you’re a surf bum. Clearly, she’s not.”

Isla plants her hand gently on her husband’s arm. “That’s not a question, dear. What he means to say is Jolie is an elegant, mature...not a surf bum.”

“Strawberry Shortcake, that’s not much better,” Royal counters.

Ryan takes a stab at trying not to insult me. “What they’re trying to say, and no offense, bro, but Jolie is way out of your league.”

Jolie’s spine lengthens and she frowns.

“Is she your sugar mama?” Ryan follows up.

“Hot Shot, you’re going to be in hot water if you don’t cool it,” Harley warns.

“What? I’m just wondering when was the last time he had a job.”

“CJ is a world-class deep-sea diver,” Jolie says, her accent elevating the response a notch.

“Have you ever seen him dive?”

Arms across her chest, she shakes her head, dismissing them.

“Of course I have a job...” Just can’t say what it is.

“Doing?” Ryan raises his eyebrows because it’s a fair question.

I glance at Magnus, hoping a flash of eye contact will indicate I need an extraction because he discerned that I work deeply embedded in an international agency. And that’s all he knows.

It’s like I’m in a cement block room with a bare bulb over my head, facing questioning. Usually, I’m on the other side of the table. When it comes to my brothers, though, I can’t quite handle it.

Clearing my throat, I am about to tell them I have a contract for diving—not exactly a lie.

Royal cuts across me. “He’s a surf bum. A beach bum.”

Instead of Magnus helping me out, Jolie smirks. “Bum bum.”

I’ll admit, it’s adorable coming from her accented lips. If we were alone, I’d kiss them.

“Oh, she likes his bum.” Ryan all but giggles.

Everyone in the room, except baby Luke rumbles with laughter. At least he’s on Team Dinosaur.

“You like my bum?” I ask my wife, surprised.

Mouth full of mischief, she makes a lip-zipping motion. My heart falls for her a little more with each passing moment.

“Shouldn’t you know that if you’re married?” Royal fires my way.

I can tell my brothers still don’t buy our union, but that’s not my problem. Because I have a feeling that finally meeting them is what brings Jolie and me back together.

Still, Royal doesn’t let up. “How long have you been married? When did you get married? Where?”

Harley pumps her hands. “Hold on, guys. First, let’s hear how they met.”