Page 61 of Golden Ruin

I’m staring at her again, but fight it a little less this time. “And what about you? Was your day okay?”

Using her chin to hold a towel in place as she folds it, her eyes flit toward mine. “It was pretty good. Aside from getting my second call about an apartment being rented out from under me.”

“Yeah, I… kind of heard on my way in,” I exhale. “Sorry you didn’t get it.”

She nods. “Thanks. It’s cool, though. Matt has a couple more leads, so I’ll check those out in the morning.”

My jaw tightens, and before I can stop myself, “Of course he does,” slips out.

And Lexi catches it.

We lock eyes again, and the slight smirk on her lips disarms me before she says a single word.

And the worst part is, her response is nothing more than a vague, “Hm.”

I feel like I’m caught, exposed for having feelings I have no fucking right to feel.

“Should I be concerned?” she asks, not being the least bit coy, but there’s no way she didn’t pick up that I’m a little annoyed.

Still, I hold my ground as I shake my head. “Nope.”

Her gaze stays trained on me, and it only makes my comment land heavier as we sit in silence.

She stands, and I take a breath, wondering what she isn’t saying as she loads Jax’s clothes back into the empty basket, then steps out into the hall with me. She lowers to the floor and crosses her legs. I drop down, too, resting my back against the wall. My heart’s racing a mile a minute, knowing she’s not going to let this go.

“Ok, so here’s the thing. I’ve… picked up on you not being Matt’s biggest fan, and that’s okay,” she rushes to add. “It’s just that, if you see something I don’t, or if you see a reason Jax shouldn’t be around him, I’m open to hearing it. Because, believe me, if I thought for a second that Tiffany was bad for Jax, I would’ve spoken up.”

She smiles to make the conversation seem lighthearted, but I think we both know it’s anything but that. Hence the reason I feel her anxiety pulsing through the air as she lets out a small breath beside me.

Guilt returns, and I feel like shit. Mostly because I have no real reason to dislike the guy. Other than the fact that he’s gotten frustratingly close to two of the most important people in my life.

“You can tell me,” she says, pushing gently. “I won’t be mad. We both want what’s best for Jax.”

Having her be so fucking understanding while I’m being a complete ass adds fuel to the fire.

My eyes fall closed, but I still feel hers on me. Her point about Tiffany sits with me. Old Lexi would’ve weaponized it, but the woman sitting beside me now doesn’t need weapons because she’s not looking for a fight. Because we’re no longer enemies. But what she is looking for… is an answer.

I take a breath, choosing my words carefully, because it can do more harm than good if I say the wrong thing.

And especially if I say too much.

“No, it’s nothing like that,” I force out. “I just… don’t you think he inserted himself into your life pretty quickly?”

Lexi quirks a brow then lets a laugh slip. “I’ve known the man eight years. That’s quick to you?”

Shit.

I swear her stare is burning a hole in the side of my head.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then, tell me.” She straightens a little when she sighs, saying those words like it’s so easy.

“I meant that… it’s hard for me.”

She tilts her head when I finally admit it, and I catch it in my peripheral vision. I’m not used to this version of her. There’s a softness that didn’t exist in the past, or at least she didn’t let it show, and I’m not sure what to do with it.

Shouting matches, chasing after her when she stormed off, pissed at me for reasons I didn’t even understand…