“Miles is an exception.”
I laughed. “To most things.”
“Miles, Carter, and Worth really don’t approve of Jay, and I understand why they’re so worried. They’ve seen me after I’ve been dumped before.”
“It’s not pretty,” Eudora said. “Not when you’ve let yourself really get involved.”
“I told myself I wasn’t going to pursue Jay, but we got thrown together with this lawsuit, and….”
“Miles said Jasper was trying to manipulate you, to pretend he liked you so you would go easy on him in court.”
“I think he was, but things have changed now that we’re in danger. Did Miles tell you he didn’t bother to let me know exactly how dangerous this case was, or that this wasn’t about Montgomery Enterprises but about protecting people from a criminal organization?”
Eudora’s eyes widened. “What?”
Ben’s lack of surprise confirmed my suspicion. “You knew?”
“I knew Miles was worrying over something, and I managed to get the basics out of him.”
I bet Ben had let Miles know how unacceptable that was, and he’d probably had to do a lot of groveling. Ben must have thoroughly enjoyed that.
“We’re going to stay at my grandparents’ estate.”
“We, as in you and Jasper?” Eudora asked.
“You do know Jasper’s been staying with Ford already, right?” Ben asked, the sly little bastard.
Eudora shook her head, then turned and gave me a hard look. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“No, but he slept with me, and he didn’t run or insist he was straight, and he didn’t say it would never happen again.”
“That’s something, but is it enough for you to continue with this?” Eudora asked.
“He needs protection.” I hated how weak my defense sounded. “I know I’m probably being stupid, but our dynamic has changed. Jay’s not pushing my buttons constantly. He’s not trying to get the better of me. I’m wondering if maybe he’s actually interested after all.” As soon as I said those words, I tensed, waiting for an onslaught of anger from them and their insistence that I had to be wrong.
Instead, Eudora patted my leg. “Tell me what makes you think so.”
I glanced up at them both. “You’re actually willing to listen?”
“Of course,” Ben said. “Just because Miles thinks he knows something doesn’t make it true. For all I know, Jasper is desperately in love with you. I wish you’d brought him.”
“You wouldn’t have been able to interrogate me then.”
“No, but we would’ve been able to watch the two of you together,” Eudora said.
“Jay and I talk about real things. He’s willing to be vulnerable with me, and while he definitely likes to be in charge—”
Eudora held up a hand. “Not too many details, please.”
I huffed. “He’s also willing to let me be the one who’s calling the shots, and I don’t mean in bed.”
Ben smiled. “I can’t imagine he’d let you take charge in bed, nor that you’d want him to.”
I scowled at him.
“Come on. He’s a ‘straight’ guy. Do you really think he’s going to want to give in to you like that?”
“Boys,” Eudora said. “There is a lady present.”