Jax lifted a brow. “You sure that’s not because you two are sleeping together?”
“I doubt it since we haven’t gone there yet.”
On the other side of Smoke, Jax did a double take. “Seriously? I thought for sure you had. Well, if anyone deserves to have someone special in their life, it’s you. Skye’s going to be thrilled.”
Dane slanted him a hard look. “Don’t you dare tell her I said any of that. The next thing you know she’ll be asking Lexi what flavor cake she wants at our wedding.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to get married someday, but he and Lexi had only gone on a few dates.Sheesh.
Jax chuckled. “I won’t mention it to Skye. I don’t think that’s going to matter, though. If I picked up on the vibe between you and Lexi, she will, too.
“Wonderful,” Dane muttered.
“Come on.” Jax clapped him in the shoulder. “Let’s get Lulu and Smoke back in their stalls then go inside before Skye starts digging all this stuff out of Lexi on her own.”
* * * * *
Lexi stopped outside the door of the house to check her shoes and made sure she wasn’t tracking anything in. She’d loved taking Lulu and Smoke for a walk, but when she came back to do it again, she’d remember to wear jeans and boots. A sleeveless dress and flip-flops weren’t the right outfit for this kind of stuff.
She smiled to herself as she thought about how Jax had gotten her and Dane separated. It’d been obvious he wanted to talk to Dane alone, most likely about her. That was okay since she wanted to talk to Skye, too, and get the scoop on her big brother.
Lexi knocked then opened the door and stuck her head in. “Skye? Jax said you needed some help with dinner.”
“Come on in,” Skye called. “I’m in the kitchen.”
Lexi stepped inside and closed the door then turned to see a black lab standing in the entryway regarding her with a curious expression on his furry face.
“Um…hello there,” she said.
He looked friendly, but she wasn’t sure if she should pet the guy or be concerned that he might not let her pass.
“That’s Rodeo,” Skye said. “Scratch his ears and he’ll love you forever.”
She took Skye’s advice, crouching down to ruffle the lab’s big ears. It worked like a charm. Rodeo gave her a doggy smile, his eyes all drowsy and happy.
Giving his head another pat, Lexi stood and walked through the living room with its stone fireplace, big sectional couch, and ginormous flat-screen TV into the adjoining kitchen where Skye was rolling out biscuits.
Lexi inhaled appreciatively. “Something smells delicious.”
“Thanks. It’s beef stew.” Skye jerked her head at the slow cooker on the granite countertop. “Can you give it a stir?”
Lexi washed and dried her hands then used the big spoon Skye had set out to stir the savory stew.
“Dane told me about how you and Jax got together,” Lexi said. “Something about a guy following you all the way from New York City to kill you and Jax saving your life? That’s crazy—and romantic as hell, I have to admit.”
Skye laughed as she cut out perfectly round biscuits and placed them on a cookie sheet. “It didn’t feel so romantic while it was happening, but afterward I realized I wouldn’t change a minute of it. Okay…that’s not quite true. There are quite a few things I definitely would have changed. The parts where Jax and Dane almost got killed certainly come to mind. But ultimately, I’m very happy with how it all turned out.”
“I don’t blame you.” Lexi put the lid back on the slow cooker with a smile. “Between finding a guy as hunky as Jax and the way your business is starting off, things seem to be going really well for you.”
“They are,” Skye agreed as she slipped the cookie sheet into the over and closed the door. “But that’s not the best part. The thing I’m most grateful for is the fact that I’ve found a man who believes in me and supports me. He’s never suggested that what I’m attempting is crazy or too big for me. Instead, he finds a way to help me get to where I want to be. I never knew how important that quality was in a man until I found it with Jax.” She opened the cabinet over the dishwasher and took out four dinner bowls and four small plates. “What about you and Dane?”
Lexi was tempted to fib, afraid Skye might not like the idea of her and Dane moving too fast, but then realized that was silly.
“I know we just started going out, but I have to admit, I’m already falling for him,” she said. It was true. A couple of dates and she was already thinking long-term with him. “Do you think that’s crazy?”
“Not at all.” Skye’s lips curved. “Who we fall for—or how fast—doesn’t have to follow any rules. It simply happens. The smart people are the ones who recognize that and let it happen. The crazy ones are the idiots who overthink everything and screw it up.” She moved around the table in the kitchen, setting down the bowls and plates. “I had a crush on Jax when I was younger and knew he was the one for me the minute I came back to Dallas. I didn’t care how long we’d been seeing each other.”
Lexi leaned back against the granite island with a grin. “Now I don’t feel so bad admitting I transferred to Station 58 so I could meet Dane.”
