Page 2 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

Jaxon tilted his head, studying me with a look that made me feel like I’d been caught mid-thought. “Lila. Pretty name. Suits you.”

“Thanks,” I shot back, unsure whether to look away or hold his gaze.

His voice had a smoothness to it, like he was used to making people feel special… or at least flustered.

A man that good looking? No doubt about it.

“So,” he said, leaning just slightly toward me, “what’s got you wringing the life out of inanimate objects? Nervous flyer?”

I shook my head. “Not exactly, just… distracted, I guess.”

Distracted wasn’t even close to the right word.

Vulnerable.

That was closer to the truth. Completely exposed and raw, like my skin had been stripped away and every nerve was on edge. I felt like a walking wound, oozing hurt and humiliation that I was trying to cover with a thin bandage of composure.

I hated it.

I hated that I’d let Rick reduce me to this. Hated that I’d believed his empty promises and let myself get swept up in some fantasy, only to crash land into reality, bruised and battered.

“Distracted,” he repeated, like he was testing the word. “Good distracted or bad distracted?”

“Is there even such a thing asgooddistracted?” I asked, arching a brow.

“Oh, absolutely,” he said, his grin widening. “Good distracted is when you’re staring out the window, imagining yourself on some gorgeous beach with a drink in hand. Bad distracted is when you’re trying to figure out how to make your ex disappear without a trace.”

That startled another laugh out of me. Was he reading my mind? His grin turned downright smug.

“Definitely not plotting anyone’s disappearance,” I said abruptly, as much for myself as for him.

“Good to know. I was about to suggest lime pits aren’t as effective as the movies make them seem.”

“Should I be concerned about how much you know about this?” I asked, giving him a sidelong look.

“Only if I start taking notes,” he teased. “But you’re safe for now. I’m a lover, not a fighter.”

“Of course you are,” I said dryly, but my lips twitched against a smile.

He tapped the armrest between us. “Now, if it’s not bad distracted or good distracted, maybe it’s airplane distracted. First time flying?”

“Not even close,” I said. “I’ve been on plenty of flights.”

It was a lie, but I didn’t want to seem unworldly all of a sudden. Something about this man made me want to seem fascinating and cool as a cucumber.

“Then maybe you’re just bored,” he said with mock seriousness. “In which case, I’m happy to provide inflight entertainment. For a small fee, of course.”

“A fee?”

“Yeah,” he said, leaning in like he was letting me in on a secret. “I work for tips. Laughs, smiles, phone numbers… whatever you’re willing to part with.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “You must make a killing.”

“Depends on the company.” He gave me a once-over that managed to feel both teasing and strangely genuine.

I didn’t know what to make of him.

Part of me wanted to write him off as just another flirt, but something about his easy demeanor and the way he seemed determined to pull me out of my own head made it hard to stay cynical.

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