Page 111 of Lethal Danger

“What?”

“I’m just surprised.”

Jazz knew that tone and the shift to more formal language. It was the lead-in to something she was not going to like.

“I didn’t think you’d be so sensitive, what with your Army training and all.”

“I’m not sensitive.”

“Uh-huh.” A sarcastic version of the affirmation that meant Nev didn’t believe it. “You’re only suspicious of the boss because you think she doesn’t like you.”

“That’s not true. Anyone who isn’t so awed by her as you and the team would be suspicious.”

“You know what I’ve noticed about the boss?” Nev tucked her fingers into her curls. “She seems to expose people’s insecurities without having to do or say a thing. People just bring their insecurities with them, and their hangups make them either hate her or be like…drawn to her. It’s like her superpower.”

“So you’re saying it’s my fault she doesn’t like me?”

“Course not. I’m just saying she can help you with those insecurities if you’d let her.”

Jazz pressed her lips together to keep in the retort she wanted to throw out. That she didn’t have PTSD like Nev. But she wouldn’t risk hurting her best friend. “I know she helped you. But I haven’t been through trauma or anything.”

“You been through stuff.”

Jazz fiddled with a pilled bit of fabric on the blanket. “Nothing like you.”

“Doesn’t mean the boss couldn’t help you anyway.”

Jazz lifted her gaze to Nev. “Pretty sure she doesn’t want to. And I wouldn’t want help from someone who keeps so many secrets. Does anyone even know who she really is? I mean, she could have some really scary skeletons in her closet.”

Nev smushed her lips together and turned her head away. Then she brought her dark gaze back.

Jazz braced herself. She knew that look. Nev was about to tell it like it was. Or at least how she thought it was.

“Have you ever thought that maybe you put up walls with people?”

Jazz stared at the image on the TV, the couple frozen in their romantic moment.

“Like maybe you’re afraid they’ll reject you, so you reject them first.”

“Of course not.” Jazz jerked her gaze to Nev, hurt squeezing her ribs. “I don’t push people away. They just don’t like me. You know I’m not like you, popular with everyone.”

“That’s not true.” Nev leaned forward over the popcorn bowl. “You would be popular, and everybody would love you, if you’d let them.”

“So you are saying it’s my fault.” The hurt migrated to Jazz’s voice and pricked at her eyes. “I thought you always had my back.”

“I do.” Nev pulled away as if Jazz had struck her. “You know that.”

“Sure.” Jazz clenched her jaw to keep from crying. “That’s why you don’t want me to like Hawthorne either.”

“I didn’t say that. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“And you’re so sure I’m going to. That he’s not going to like me because no one does.”

Nev lifted her hands in exasperation. “I’m afraid you’re going to fall in love with a guy who’s going to leave. A guy who doesn’t feel the same.”

“Plans can change.” Jazz tilted up her chin as she looked away. “And I think he does like me. A lot.”

“Fine.” Nev picked up the remote and twisted to face the TV. “Then go ahead and like the guy.”

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