Julian threw his arm around Sebastian’s shoulders. “Well, look at you, out on the town. I must remember to put a big red circle around today’s date on the calendar when I get home. This has to be some kind of lunar eclipse or unknown holiday, or did some alien force invade your body and take control of your faculties?”

“Julian, this is not the time—”

“Nope, you definitely sound like Sebastian.” Julian unhooked his arm and leaned forward, planting his elbows on the table and propping his chin on his hands as he grinned at Tessa. “And you must be my dear brother’s fiancée. How wonderful.”

“I…” She looked at Sebastian as if unsure how to answer.

Julian plowed on. “Nice ring. I hope you get to keep that in the deal. You’re certainly going to earn it.”

“No, she does not get to keep the ring.” Sebastian glared at Julian. “I thought you were in Las Vegas. Again.”

“I was. And now I’m home. Miss me?”

“Not particularly. We’re trying to have dinner.”

“Please tell me you got the porterhouse.” Julian looked at Tessa. “It’s the best thing you’ll ever put in your mouth.” He wiggled his brows and laughed. “Well…”

“Julian. Enough.” Sebastian had never hit his brother, but the idea suddenly had merit. “Did you have a reason for interrupting us or was it merely for sport?”

With an enormous sigh and a huge eye roll, Julian slouched in the seat. “I wanted to see where you were on the wedding chapel budget.”

“Nowhere. It’s ludicrous. The entire thing will have to be reworked.”

Tessa perked up a little. “What’s this about?”

Julian let out another sigh. “I’ve just opened a wedding chapel in town.”

“Like the ones in Las Vegas?” Tessa asked.

“Exactly. That’s where I got the idea. It’s all kinds of fun, something Sebastian hates, but the tourists will go nuts for it. We already had several weddings a month going on in town so adding this chapel seemed like a no-brainer. There are themed rooms and packages and all kinds of great stuff.” He glared at Sebastian. “I just need the working budget approved so I can do my grand opening.”

Sebastian scowled. “You asked for half a million dollars. It’s not happening.”

Tessa almost choked on her beer. “Wow, is that what it takes to run a wedding chapel?”

“No,” Sebastian said at the same time that Julian said, “Yes.”

Sebastian shook his head. “Nothing’s happening until this dinner with Evangeline is over with.”

Julian sat up. “Dinner? What dinner? When? Where? Are we going black tie or business casual? Hmm, what does one wear to a meal with one’s brother’s estranged wife?”

Sebastian snorted. “You are not invited.”

Tessa’s mouth curved into a little half-smile. “Why not? He would be great at distracting Evangeline.” She tipped her glass at him. “You’re very good at keeping the conversation going.”

Julian pointed at her as he spoke to Sebastian. “I like this one. She’s a keeper.”

Irritation simmered through Sebastian like escaping steam. He looked at Tessa. “You think he should come only because you don’t know him like I do.”

“Maybe. But it would be nice to have him there to help corroborate our story.”

Julian grinned, showing off his fangs. “I can corroborate like nobody’s business.”

Sebastian hung on to his sanity with his fingertips. “Fine. You can come on one condition.”

“Which is?” Julian asked.

“You leave us immediately so we can enjoy the rest of our dinner in peace and you behave yourself during the dinner with Evangeline.”

Julian stood. “That’s two conditions, but I agree because I don’t nitpick the little things. Like some people. And please, what do you think I’m going to do? Try to sleep with her? Even I have standards.”

He twisted on his heel and walked off, flirting with every woman he passed as he left.

Tessa pursed her lips like she was suppressing laughter. “Your brother is quite the character.”

Sebastian watched him go. “I’m aware.”

Thankfully, the server arrived with their steaks, saving Sebastian from further conversation about Julian.

He dug into his porterhouse, trying not to dwell on the fact that Tessa had taken to Julian so much that she’d wanted him at dinner.

Time ticked by as they ate. Sebastian couldn’t get past what had just happened. He shoved a forkful of meat into his mouth and chewed. Was Julian that much more interesting than he was? Sebastian had long ago accepted that he wasn’t to every woman’s taste, but what did it mean that not even the woman pretending to be his fiancée preferred him?

Was Julian really such a prize?

Or was he just that unappealing?

Tessa ate her steak in small bites, very aware that Sebastian’s mood had taken a dark turn. It stayed that way, too, even though their meals were more than half gone. At first she thought he’d just been upset by his brother’s visit, then she realized Julian’s sudden appearance was just the catalyst. She washed down her last bite with a swig of beer and stared at the vampire across from her. “You’re upset.”

He didn’t look at her, just went on eating. “I’m fine.”