Page 29 of Collect the Pieces

He stretches, his shirt lifting slightly, and easily reaches what I need. “You weren’t reaching this with that itty bitty stepladder.”

A scream of frustration bubbles in my throat—because again, he’s right, I’d still have to be on my tiptoes. “Don’t be smug, Stretch.”

He chuckles, tucks the bulbs against his side, and heads for the stairs.

I slam the cabinet doors shut and hurry to catch him. “I can carry my own bulbs.”

“Too late.”

A growl of frustration bursts out of me.

Jigsaw stops at the bottom of the steps and turns to face me. “You need to get it through your head, if we’re together, I protect you. If you can’t deal with that, tell me now.”

Pain constricts around my throat. “That sounds like an ultimatum.”

“Anultimatum?” He draws out the word as if tasting its absurdity from every angle possible.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jigsaw

The fear ripplingover Margot’s face tamps down my annoyance.

She’s afraid I’d leave her?

I don’t think I’ve ever had someone in my life who wanted to keep me this much. It’s unfamiliar but comforting.

And fuck knows she’s out of her mind if she thinks I’d let her go now.

Margot’s stubborn. So am I. This is still so fucking new to me.

“I didn’t mean to make it sound like an ultimatum.” I dial down my dickishness. “I don’t know how to explain it better. If I don’t feel right about a situation, I can’tnotprotect you. It’s just not who I am.”

“You said you’ve never been in a relationship before.”

Not sure what that has to do with anything.“If I can easily do something for you, why would I stand there and watch you struggle to do it? I’m not an asshole.” I throw my hand out, gesturing to the cabinet.

“I do it all the time,” she argues.

“Cool. When I’m not here, go nuts.”

The corners of her mouth curl up. She’s trying hard not to laugh.

“Glad that’s settled.” Shaking my head, I wave my arm toward the stairs. “Now go up first, so I can stare at your cute ass.”

She lets out an outraged squeal, followed by laughter. “What?”

“You heard me.”

She hurries up the stairs, her heelsclick-thuddingall the way.

The overly floral scent of the funeral home hits me when we reach the main floor. Is the smell always that strong, or do they start pumping in air freshener before a service?

More people are milling around the house now. Margot’s expression switches to smooth and professional in an instant.

I glance down at my outfit—jeans, boots, and T-shirt. I don’t exactly fit in with all the dark suits. “Let me get those light bulbs switched out for you, then I’m going to take off.”

“Thank you.”

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