Page 108 of Sweet Surrender

But when she reaches for the container in my hand, I pull it out of reach.

“Not so fast, Cookie,” I say. “First, you have to do something for me.”

Hendrix crosses her arms, already exasperated. “I literally just worked ten hours. If this is some kind of weird drummer initiation, I swear—”

“Nothing weird. Just say: Thank you, Jase. You’re the best husband I’ve ever had, and I don’t deserve you.”

She stares at me. “You’re the only husband I’ve ever had so that doesn’t work.” Then, without warning, she lunges.

I laugh, easily dodging her attempt to grab the food, holding it higher. “That’s not the magic phrase, Hendrix.”

She huffs. “I am not saying that.”

“Then no dumplings for you.”

Her jaw clenches. “You’re such an ass.”

“An ass who ordered you dinner,” I remind her, taking a dramatic bite of a dumpling. “Mmm. So good.”

Her glare could probably set me on fire.

I grin wider. “I can’t believe how delicious these are.” I make an exaggerated moaning sound just to mess with her.

“Okay, fine!” She huffs. “Thank you, Jase. You’re the worst first husband I’ve ever had, and I definitely don’t deserve the emotional abuse of watching you eat my favorite food.”

I chuckle. “Not what I had in mind, but you’re not exactly one who conforms.” At least not anymore and that’s fucking awesome in my eyes.

I offer her the container and our fingers brush. Linger. “Thank you for this. For dinner. For noticing. For the laughter.”

“You deserve it and then some,” I murmur.

Moments pass in silence as we fill our plates with Thai goodness. I take a seat at one end of the counter as she starts to sit on the far end.

“Nope. Get your fine ass over here.” Her eyes whip up to meet mine. “Don’t you dare sit all the way over there. I don’t bite.” I quirk my brows and challenge her.

“Lies,” she teases but takes the bait and moves her plate next to mine.

I smirk. “Well, not unless you want me to.”

She rolls her eyes, but I catch the way her breath hitches. Love that it does.

And just like that, the air between us changes.

It’s always been there—that thing neither of us wants to name. The push and pull, the tension that crackles every time we’re near each other. But now, sitting here, eating takeout, our knees touching, her lips slightly parted as she stares at the food like it’s suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.

I feel it more than ever.

I don’t know what to do with it.

But for the first time, I’m not entirely sure I want to fight it anymore.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Hendrix

“Stop ringing,” I call out to the phone as it rings for the third time in the past hour.

Then I laugh.