The corner of his mouth quirks up. “Of course. I’ll even go hunting for the shitty ninety-nine cent store peanut butter to make it really authentic if you want.”
I’m aware of the others looking at Jackson and me as though we’re speaking a foreign language, but I’m not about to translate. I’ve never felt the need to share the less-than-pretty details of my past before, so why start now?
“I think I can make do with a modern reproduction,” I say with a smile. “Just remember to draw the smiley faces on the bag.”
Jackson lets out a soft breath of laughter. “That goes without saying.” Then he ducks his head to press a kiss to my temple as he continues to stroke my hair.
I sigh in contentment and snuggle in closer to Jax, resting my head against his shoulder. This is what I needed after the insanity of today. A nice Jackson cuddle.
“Okay, yeah, I get what you were saying now,” Will whispers to Drew, who’s sitting right next to him. Or, at least, he attempts to whisper. The words are loud enough for people down at street level to hear.
“Saying about what?” I ask curiously.
Will hastily glances away, his cheeks burning red. “Nothing.”
“So, Skyler—you had your first meeting with Leona today? How did that go?” Tanner asks me.
I have a strange feeling he’s deliberately changing the subject, but I decide to go with it anyway because I’m in the mood to vent. And because Tanner’s just not the kind of person you can ignore. He didn’t build his billion-dollar media empire on looks and charm alone. Not that he’s lacking there.
Sitting up again, I let out a frustrated breath before launching into my summary of events. “She thinks I have an ego problem—can you believe that?”
The question is met with several pairs of raised eyebrows, and a few knowing looks dart around the table.
I narrow my eyes at Deacon and Drew—the main offenders of the silent commentary. “What?”
Drew shrugs. “Nothing. Just…she probably has a point.”
“I donothave an ego problem,” I say indignantly. “I can’t help being this naturally beautiful, you know. And it’s hardly my fault I’m smarter than everyone else. It’s not like Itryto be brilliant.”
“Oh, yeah, there’s no ego on him at all,” Will says with a wry chuckle.
“Do you think I have an ego problem?” I ask Jackson, suddenly feeling a little uncertain.
He shakes his head in absolute certainty. “Nope.”
Across from us, Deacon rolls his eyes so dramatically I’m surprised they don’t fall out of his head. “That doesn’t count. It’s Jackson.”
Jackson lets his hand slip from my hair so he can fold his arms over his broad chest. With his thick muscles all tensed, his tattoos on full display, and the flinty expression he’s sending Deacon—not to mention the shaved head, beard, and piercings—he suddenly looks uncharacteristically intimidating. Less of a teddy bear and more like a grizzly. “Why don’t I count?”
“Because you’re completely biased,” Deacon explains. “According to you Skyler can do no wrong.”
Jackson scoffs. “Skyler can do plenty wrong.”
I let out a dramatic gasp, placing a hand against my chest. “Moi?When have I ever?”
Jackson eases back into teddy bear mode, letting his arms fall to his side as he turns to me, his expression caught between affection and exasperation. “Do you really want me to start listing off some of your less-than-stellar decisions?”
I smirk at him in return. “Bit rich coming from you, Speedy Gonzales. At least I’ve never broken the law.”
“You’ve never beencaughtbreaking the law, you mean,” he teases. “And is a speeding ticket six years ago really the best you can come up with for me?”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “Yes. You’re incredibly boring, Jackson. You need to get out and get in trouble with the cops more often so I can represent you and rack up my billables.”
Jackson’s eyes widen with mock hurt. “You’d make mepayfor legal representation?”
“Of course not, but the partners at my firm don’t need to know that,” I say with a dismissive wave.
“Does anyone else feel like we could just leave and they wouldn’t notice?” Will comments.
