It was a sharp movement, and the way it was, was concerning.
“Archie, baby,” he called.
She turned back to him and said, “She was the best mom inthe world, Jagger.She was…she was…I ameverythingI am today becauseof her and she died when I was fourteen.But boys with their moms, that’sanother thing.And her being gone fucked my brother up.Fubar.Huge.And Dad was okay with it for a while.And then he got fed up with it.And nowshit is dark, Jagger.And she would hate that.She’d really fuckinghate it.And I have no idea what to do about it.”
For his part, he really fucking hated hearing the emotiontremble in her words and not be close to her, at least, holding her, better.
“Can I come to you?”he requested.
She visibly tensed.
Then she jerked her head up and down.
He went to her.
And carefully, he pulled her in his arms.
She didn’t commit to it, just rested her hands on his waist.
Though she did twist her neck and put the side of her headto his chest.
He breathed her in and tucked her as close as he couldwithout being gross and pervy in doing it.
She didn’t say anything, and he didn’t have anything to say.
He just kept her folded in his arms until he felt the timewas right to say, “Choice placement of the word ‘fubar,’ babe.Well done.”
Her fingers tensed into his flesh, but she didn’t remove herhands as she tipped her head back to look up at him.
Yup.
Not too short.
Not too tall.
Just right.
Mm.
Though, it was good to see a light shining in her prettyeyes, and she wasn’t pissed or hurt he’d made a joke.
“So, is this Jagger-style being there?You being asmartass?”she asked.
He faked looking insulted.“I wasn’t being a smartass.Thatwas totally choice placement of the word ‘fubar.’”
Her body moved a little with her humor.
It felt too good, so he gave her a squeeze then stepped awayfrom her.
She moved her head in a way it was both a cute tip and asexy-flirty duck and asked, “Youwannacatch dinnertonight?”
Right the fuck on.
There it was.
They were on the same page.
Goddamnbrilliant.
