Page 47 of Golden Rule

“You didn’t have to do this. Didn’t have to let me see him so late,” Sterling clarifies. “It probably goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. I… appreciate it. Appreciateyou.Seriously.”

Lexi nods again, and while I can definitely feel the residual animosity from their failed relationship, I sense something else as well.

Understanding.

Like, no matter what, they will always do what’s best for their son.

For a second, it’s like Lexi’s thoughts take her someplace else. Maybe back in time. But when she blinks, then straightens her posture, she seems to snap out of it. Her eyes flash toward Sterling next, and mine do the same, calling attention to how intently he’d been focused in her direction before now. But once he realizes he’s been caught, he averts his gaze back toward Jaxon.

“Alright, Kid. Mom’s gotta get you back to bed. Daddy just needed one of your big hugs,” Sterling says with a smile.

“Okay,” Jaxon whines, making it clear he isn’t ready to let go. And as Sterling squeezes tighter, I’m guessing he feels the same.

“Daddy loves you,” he says. “So much.”

“Love you too,” Jax says, and I’ll be damned… Lexi just smiled.

As hard as it is to do, Sterling takes a step toward Lexi’s car as she opens the door. He buckles Jax into his car seat, then Lexi closes the back door, but she doesn’t move right away. Instead, her gaze lifts to meet Sterling’s.

“Let’s maybe not do this again at midnight,” she says with a smile, “but… anytime you want to see him, you know you can just text, right? I’m not stuck on set days and all that shit. He’s your kid as much as he’s mine, and he needs us both.”

Things have been rocky between them since his engagement got outed, so I imagine this is their first cordial conversationin a while. There’s this moment that passes between them that makes me feel like I’m intruding, like I’m part of an oddly intimate moment I shouldn’t be witnessing. It’s strange because there’s no physical contact, no words, just… a vibe.

Sterling nods, and I can’t help but wonder if Jax was the only one he needed to see tonight. Maybe, on some level, Lexi’s understanding is helping some, too, reminding him the entire world isn’t against him. Even if it seems like Tiffany is at the moment.

“Thanks,” he says, one corner of his mouth lifting into a smile and… shit. I swear this slick bastard just checked her out.

I hold in a smile and don’t say a word as they exchange goodbyes, but the second we’re back in the car, watching Lexi and Jaxon pull off, my eyes are glued to the side of Sterling’s head.

He does a double-take, laughing when he sees the look on my face.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Nothing, just seeing how long it’s gonna take you to admit it.”

He leans deeper into his seat, his gaze shifting out the windshield again. “Admit what?”

I shrug, being cheeky just to get under his skin. “That youtotallyjust eye-banged your ex.”

“What-the-fuck-ever. Just… drive,” he says, but I note that he didn’t deny it. He’d never step out of line, would never do anything to hurt Tiff, but he can no longer deny what the rest of us have been thinking all along.

That if the stars were to align, that spark between him and Lexi would reignite.

In a heartbeat.

@QweenPandora:

No. Freaking. Way.

How bold of you, #MrSilver! Rendezvousing out in the open with your ex in the middle of the night?

I mean, sure, some might argue this was hardly a romantic encounter, seeing as how #KingMidas and your kiddo were both present, but that’s because they must not see what I see.

Take a look, peeps. Anyone else noticing that look #MrSilver and #LostAngel exchange as they wrap up this little meet and greet?

If I were you, #TheSubstitute, I would definitely be on my best behavior. Once upon a time, your bae and his baby momma were pretty hot and heavy. Are you sure you have the energy to compete with that kind of chemistry?

You know, now that temptation’s basically right under your man’s nose?

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