Page 28 of My Vigilante Valentine

“I kinda feel like it does...”

“Not with me around.”

So simple and yet so profound.

I bit my lip, suddenly very aware of the way my basket was making deep, red marks on my arm. “Thanks,” I murmured. “That… actually means a lot.”

He gave me a short nod, jaw still tight, like whatever was happening right now was as foreign to him as it was to me.

How had I not anticipated how weird it would be to interact with my crush post-vigilante exposure?

Well, not theindecentkind of exposure, but?—

Yikes.See?

Maybe it was a good thing he’d been avoiding me.

The silence stretched, and I shifted my basket to my other arm, realizing it was up to me to prevent this moment from getting any more awkward.

“So,” I said, breaking the tension with a grin, “does this mean I should start charging you for bodyguard services? Because my rates are pretty steep. As in, at least two mac and cheese dinners per week.”

His mouth twitched—just the barest hint of a smile, but it was there.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

And then, since my words suddenly failed me, we just stood there in the middle of the aisle like two people who had no idea how to wrap up a conversation without making it weird.

I adjusted my basket as it cut into my forearm again, but Jax looked perfectly unbothered, like he hadn’t just casually admitted to low-key stalking me for my protection.

He cleared his throat, then leaned in. “You didn’t tell anyone, did you?”

“Tell anyone what?”

His jaw tightened, that signature Jax Thorne grumpiness slipping back into place. “Aboutme.”

“Oh.” I smiled wide, unable to help myself. “Nope.”

He gave a curt nod like that was the end of it. But then, he added, “That include Chris?”

I froze for half a heartbeat, studying him carefully. And then, slowly, deliberately, I raised an eyebrow. “Wait… is that jealousy I’m detecting?”

His head snapped back like I’d threatened to lob my organic apple at him. “No, because I’m not.”

The words were hoarse, defensive, and about asnothing-to-see-hereas a cat landing on its feet after falling off a counter.

“Well, good. Because that would be silly.”

He squinted at me. “How so?”

“Because Chris is my cousin. Slash-brother. Slash-best friend.”

His eyes flicked to mine, just for a second, and I swear I saw it—a tiny flicker of relief, gone as quickly as it appeared.

But not quick enough to escape my notice.

Oh yeah, I was filing that away for later. Right next to the fact that he ate every last crumb of those unsolicited baked goods he claimed to hate.

I stepped just a little closer. I was feeling bold, and it was fun watching him squirm. “But don’t worry, Jax. If I ever do have a boyfriend, I’ll make sure it’s clear. Maybe even with matching T-shirts.”

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