Replaying the conversation with Sebastian in his mind, Liam had to give the guy props—Jaz’s best friend had never actually specified that Liam’s date would be female.
“You must be Liam.” Sebastian stood and pulled Liam’s chair out for him, just as Jaz’s date had done for her. “And you’re as absolutely stunning as Jaz described you.”
Liam remained standing. And contemplating the many, many ways he could dismember Sebastian, who was grinning like a cat with cream.
Jaz excused herself through a small coughing fit, then found her voice. “Liam, this is my dear friend Sebastian Bridgeport,” she said cordially. “Bastian, this is my brother’s friend and colleague, Liam Rowen.”
“Nice to meet you.” Sebastian offered his hand.
Yanking himself out of his stupor, Liam shook it, squeezing all the bones. “Likewise.”
Sebastian grinned and returned the crushing shake. Damn climbers and their grips.
They sat, Sebastian formally introducing Jaz and Devante Jackson, who was both a professional musician and amateur rock climber. Just as Sebastian finished the final introduction, a server appeared to take dinner orders and offer a selection of the whites, reds, blushes, and Shirazes available.
Liam ordered a Diet Coke.
Sebastian waggled his brows at the drink. Fuck. What exactly had Jaz told her friend about him? If she mentioned anything about his personal life, she wouldn’t need protection because he’d strangle her himself.
“I’m an enormous fan of yours, Jazmine,” Devante said as the aroma of wine filled the table and the scent of someone’s lamb order drifted in to tickle their appetites. “Vector Ascent was brilliant to have signed you. I’ve watched every one of your climbs over the past year.”
Liam felt Jaz tense beside him. She hated her full name. Loathed it.
“You have?” Liam prompted, wondering whether he could get Devante to say it again, just so he could watch Jaz be irritated. “Where did you stream the events?”
“Stream? Oh no.” Devante grinned, showing perfect teeth. “I was there in person. Jazmine is kind of a hero of mine. Or I guess I should say heroine.” He turned to her. “Your speed and agility on the mountain are well known all over the beginner’s circuit. It’s kind of inspirational.”
Jaz blushed. “That’s kind of you to say.”
“Nothing kind about it when it’s the truth.”
“So you’ve essentially been stalking her?” Liam asked.
His three companions looked at him awkwardly.
Liam stared Devante down.
Jaz kicked him under the table, catching his shin with those heels of hers. He hissed in pain, covering it up as best he could by taking a sip of soda. Jaz’s tiny pointy things did more damage than he’d given them credit for.
“So Jaz, have you gotten the official details for the Clash of the Titans Challenge Exhibition?” Sebastian volunteered in a rush, emphasizing the correct pronunciation of her name. “Last I heard, it’s nothing like a normal competition. Five challengers on live routes, and the first to the top gets a hundred grand.”
“That’s about right,” said Jaz. “But since we’ll all be climbing real rock faces at the same time, five equitable routes have to be marked first.”
“Why don’t you just go one at a time?” Liam asked.
Devante gave him a condescending look. “The routes are three to five hours—the weather and light changes would make it inequitable.”
“Route selection is also a part of the challenge,” Jaz told Liam. “The marking period starts the first of the month. All the competitors get a week on location to mark five routes they believe are of equal difficulty. The judges will pick the set that is most interesting and equitable to use for the challenge.”
“So whoever finds the best five equal routes gets the advantage of having previewed the route?” said Liam.
“Exactly.” Devante pushed his way back into the conversation, shifting slightly in his chair to claim a great part of Jaz’s line of sight—though the effort was somewhat spoiled by the arrival of their meal.
The conversation shifted to Devante’s music and his admiration of all things Jaz. In short, he admired her skills, her looks, her support of Girls Aflame, and the fact that—according to an interview with Climb—she loved miniature poodles.
Liam probed Sebastian on just how well he knew Jaz’s date. The short answer was not very well, and Liam gave Sebastian a reproachful glare.
Instead of looking repentant, Sebastian speared up a piece of his lobster almondine and offered some to Liam on a fork. The buttery morsel hung in the air between them, the grin in Sebastian’s eyes matched only by the one in Jaz’s.
Oh, for God’s sake. Neither of the two of them had any idea what they’d be in for if they played Liam’s version of sensual games. Not like he was playing them nowadays either. Liam took Sebastian’s whole fork and fed himself, then decided to take control of this runaway train of a double date.
“So, Devante,” he said, pointing Sebastian’s fork—which he had no intention of returning to its owner—in Devante’s direction. “Did you see the photos of Jaz from the Special Needs Charity Gala trending on Twitter? She’s becoming quite a social media sensation.”
Jaz narrowed her eyes at him.
Liam kept his attention on Devante, who dutifully opened his phone. Per the text Liam received from the office, the photos from the gala had been posting and getting attention on various channels. The attention had more to do with the charity event than Jaz, of course, but Liam didn’t mind a bit of a twist for a good cause.
“Hey, that’s you and Jazmine,” Devante said, flashing an image from the gala to the rest of the table’s occupants. “Jazmine looks lovely of course. Who are the other men?”
“That’s Kyan, Jaz’s older brother.” Taking Devante’s phone, Liam flicked to another gala image—this one showing all four of the massive Tridents standing near Jaz, with Kyan wearing a particularly murderous expression. “Then me. And the other two are our best friends. The four of us served in the navy together.”
Devante gave a tense laugh. “You make an intimidating bunch.”
“Only to those who wish us harm.” He shrugged. “Or to hurt our family. Jaz is sort of everyone’s sister.” He gave Devante a very pointed gaze, holding it until he was sure the man got the message.
Devanta shifted in his seat. “Right. Good to have brothers. I always believe in supporting family, you know.”
“Will you excuse us for a second?” Jaz grabbed Liam’s arm and hauled him off to the side. Her tanned skin was a shade darker than usual, and displeasure shot like lightning from her large eyes. Oddly enough, he preferred the angry-at-him Jaz to the distant one. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Informing your stalker that you aren’t as defenseless as you look.”
Jaz’s fingers curled at her sides. “One, I’m not defenseless. Two, Devante is my date—and I happen to like him very much.”
“I don’t think you do, Jazmine.”
“Seriously?” She pointed her finger at Liam’s chest, poking him right in the sternum. “Let’s try this again, using simple words. Devante is my date. You’re hired muscle. So shut up, sit down, and stay out of my personal life.”