Page 76 of Beneath the Hood

His nostrils flare, his judgment searing into me.

Lennox isn’t stupid, and it would be an insult to pretend that he is. He knows exactly where I want to go, and exactly who I want to be with. My breath sticks in my throat, hoping that he doesn’t put up a fight.

He gives a short nod and relief pours through me, a smile lighting up my face as I throw my arms around him for a hug.

He stiffens, but it only makes me grip him tighter. “Thank you,” I whisper.

He clears his throat, awkwardly patting my back, before he grips my shoulders and pushes me away. “Don’t make me regret it, Blakely.”

“I won’t.” I beam. “I’ll be ready to go in half an hour.”

Skipping out of his front door, I head back to my place, texting Jackson to let him know I’ll be there soon. And that once I get there, I’m not leaving.

* * *

Jackson made dinner.

Of course he did.

A knot grows in my stomach, wondering why I didn’t think of the fact that this is going to be an issue between us.

I push the food around on my plate, taking a bite here and there, my mind in turmoil over how to bring up the fact that if this is going to work with us, he needs to take my lifestyle choices seriously. That means stick to my prepped meals or having me pre-approve whatever he makes.

God, that sounds ridiculous.

He’s chewing slowly, an inquisitive look in his eye as he watches me from across the table.

“Not hungry?” He nods toward my plate.

I shrug, nerves prancing around in my gut. “Not really.”

Right on cue my stomach growls. Heat rushes into my face and I lower my gaze.

“Mmhm,” he hums, wiping his hands and leaning forward. “Talk to me, Blake. What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“I just... you should have asked me if I could eat this.” I gesture toward the plate, cringing at how the words come out. “You knowI’m strict with what I eat, and it’s something that’s important to me. I can’t haveanyof this.” My hand waves over the food.

He nods slowly. “Do you want me to make you something else?”

I sigh. “No, I have some snacks in my bag, I’ll just go grab something in a bit.” I take a big bite out of the avocado just for show. “The avocado is great, though.”

His eyes narrow and I fidget under his stare.Why is he looking at me like that?

A phone rings from somewhere in the house, the sound jerking me from his gaze. “Do you need to get that?”

He shakes his head, his attention still on me. “It’s probably my mom. I’ll call her back.”

“Oh.” I cock my head, realizing he doesn’t really talk about her. That in reality, I don’t actually know much about him. Here I am thinking I’m in love and I haven’t even taken the time to get to know about his life.

I rest my elbows on the table, propping my chin in my hand. “What’s she like?”

He smiles. “She’s the best. Charismatic. Hard worker. You know… the usual.”

“No,” I swallow. “I don’t.” Sadness slinks through my chest.

His eyes grow heavy, his head angling to the side. “I guess that’s right. Tell me about your mom.”

I shrug. “You know about as much as me.”

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