Page 60 of Xactly What She Needs

“That is odd,” she agrees. “But I guess seeing that I could help you for once helped rally me into wellness,” she shrugged.

That strikes me as such an unfortunate way to view things that I can’t help myself. I put my mug on the table and pull her towards me, holding her tight, chest-to-chest.

“This relationship isn’t based on that kind of reciprocation. What we have isn’t like that,okay? You’re there for me in thephysicalform, and that’s enough to deserve all the kinds of love that I can give you. When I help you wake up in the morning, that’s not tallying a favor that you’re going to owe me eventually. That’s me meeting the bare minimum for a boyfriend. You deserve someone who is there for you whatever mood takes you, and I’m certainly happy to be able to offer myself up in that position.

“You could be a bitch all day, and I won’t go to sleep hating you, not even a little bit. You could ignore me the entire day and never tell me why, and I’d still wait for you to talk to me again, because you deserve my patience. I’m here for you, no matter what. You never have to do anything to pay me back. Do you hear me? I love you no matter what.”

I realize what I’ve said a moment too late, and then we’re both just staring at each other while I try to manage mythoughts. She seems to be endeavoring to do the same. I’m somewhat gratified that I’m not the only one thrown by my sudden admission.

Bri comes to her mind again when shegrabsmy shoulders and pulls herself high enough to press her mouth to mine.

“You’re so wonderful. I’m so damn lucky. And I think I love you too.”

The rest of the morning passes by in a blissful haze. I know she’s in the same situation I am, because every now and then, she’ll shootme ahazy smile and sigh, like a lovesick teenager. And much as I want to say otherwise, any delusion I’m holding that I’m faring better comes to a sharphaltwhen Jax catches sight of me.

“Hungoverandin love. How cute.”

“Oh,fuck off. Looks like you got more than just drunk last night yourself.” I say while eyeing him shrewdly.

Holy shit, I’ve made Jax blush. I know I’m onto something now, and I’m not going to stop.

“Did you find yourself a lucky lady, Jax? Are you going to kiss and tell, or will this be a secret you keep close to your heart?”

“Fuck off, Xander.” He growls impressively. Well, it would be impressive if he wasn’t ten different shades of red right now.

“Oh, it’sspecialthen, is it?”

“I said fuck off!”

The blush on his neck rises higher, until his whole face is burning red, and his anger is completely overridden by the fact that he looks like a schoolboy who was caught hiding in the girls locker room.

“Is it Dani?”

Jax doesn’t even bother telling me to fuck off this time. He just bodily turns away and disappears through the doors.

I wonder what Briella will think, knowing that my little brother is smitten with her little sister. It’d certainly make for an interesting dynamic. Would it make things weird between us all, if any of us wanted to take it further than just dating.

We’ll consider that later on.

****

It’s a typical Tuesday right up until an hour before closing. Dani arrives in her little Chevrolet and at first, Jax lights up at her appearance, but then, when it’s evident that something is really wrong, he rushes to her side.

“Dani?”

She’s pale, shaking and her eyes are red rimmed

“I think someone planted something on my car,” she says in a rush, a single breath of panic.

“What do you mean?”

My mind is already filled with panic. A bomb? Would someone want to do that to someone like Dani, who, while abrasive and problematic — Bri’s words, not min — is altogether fun to hang out with and not in any way dangerous.

“Look under the car,” she tells us.

Jax jumps into thedriver'sseat and moves her car onto the four post lift, and then hops out. I set the thing in motion, and we both duck underneath. Just like she said, there’s a box that has been drilled into the undercarriage of the car, and it definitely shouldn’t be there. But it’s not a bomb.

“Pass me the drill,” I order.

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