Page 83 of Boss Level

As we finished our meal, my doubt was gone. This was what it should be. What we always should’ve had. I was overthinking things because I’d done so for so long, but there was no need now.

We were together and we were out.

As we headed home my heart was soaring. Xander and I had waited for so long, because of me, and we finally got to have this thing I’d denied him for so long. This open, public love.

It was incredible.

So why was there a hollow pit inside that insisted it wasn’t enough?

Because Judith wasn’t here. Because this wasn’t all three of us telling the world how we felt about each other.

29

xander

Breakfast with Dom was incredible. It was like being able to stroll naked through the center of the city without anyone caring. Exposed. Free.

I’d waited so long to tell the world I loved Dominic that doing so should be an all-consuming joy.

It was close. The part of my heart that belonged to him was shouting.

But part of me was distracted and that didn’t seem fair to either of us.

I needed to talk to Judith and straighten things out. To make her see… Every time I got to that part of the thought, my brain ground to a halt and froze. It didn’t matter, because I’d figure it out as soon as I spoke to her.

I’d tried to call, the words would come to me if she was on the line, but she didn’t answer. Leaving a message wasn’t the same. She always took my calls, so if she wasn’t picking up she was in crisis mode.

Or screening me.

Anything I had to say wasn’t going in a message. And it would be something along the lines ofunderstand where I’m coming from. I wanted to protect you. You can’t be upset about that.

That was exactly what I needed to say. Why didn’t it feel right?

When Aunt Rosie showed up at our place early afternoon, I wasn’t in the mood. “This is a bad time. I need you to call first.”

She stepped into the house, keeping me from closing her out. “I’ve been calling for weeks. I need you to talk to me.”

“I don’t care what you do with the orchard house.”

“Really?”

I turned away from her with a growl of frustration. This wasn’t what I wanted to be dealing with right now. I wanted to be talking to Judith and for her to realize we shouldn’t be fighting. Hearing people question my intentions was getting so old.

The thought surged in on a wave, and I didn’t try to hold the feeling back. I faced Rosie again. “Of course I fucking care. You’ve sat on that property for years, ignoring what Mom wanted to do with it until she wasn’t here to have a voice in the decision anymore. Until she passed that choice on to Maddox and me. Now what? You expect us to yield where she didn’t? Or maybe you want us to talk you into what she never could? You’ve turned this into a no-win situation, and I don’t play those.”

Rosie closed the front door behind her, but stayed in the foyer. “No. You never have.”

Except for Judith. That was a loathsome thought. She wasn’t a game.So why did I…

“If you’re not going to budge, it won’t hurt to hear me out,” Rosie said.

That was horrible logic, and I’d said similar things on more than one occasion. “Fine. Come on in.” I led her into the living room.

Dom was waiting for us. “Do you need anything? Drinks or anything?” he asked.

“I’m fine.” Rosie waved him off as she settled onto the couch.

“Thanks.” I squeezed his hand. He would know there was a lot in that single word.Nothing for me, thanks. Knowing you’re nearby and listening is a comfort, thanks. Thanks for standing by me.

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