Page 110 of Sterling Stone

“What looks good on me?” I spare a quick glance back at Taxi, who is almost in front of me, Cortland trailing behind her

“Happiness,” Vale states.

I don’t pull my focus from Taxi. The concern in her eyes questioning. Her smile is tight but encouraging. She’s worried about me. Because she cares about me.

“I’m always happy,” I quip, keeping my gaze on Taxi until she’s near enough I can stand upright and reach out my hand. Which she readily takes, stepping into my side, tucking herself against me, like it’s where she belongs. Like it’s where she’s always wanted to be.

You’re all I’ve been waiting for, too.

Cort snorts, and my gaze leaps to him again. I stare at him, trying to give myself another second before I react. He slips his arm around my sister and pulls her in front of him, wrapping his arm over her chest, like a shield. Whether he’s using her to protect himself, or he’s holding her in a way to keep her safe, I can never tell, but he knows I won’t go through her to get to him.

“What do you know, dickhead?” I’m not much for insults, having heard them too often from my dad, but Cort started the dickhead thing a year ago, and we often sling it at one another under our breaths.

My question is in response to his snort, a knowing sniff, like he knows anything about me now and the person I am.

Taxi shifts under my arm, gaping up at me. Vale lowers her gaze and shakes her head.

“I know . . .” Cortland begins. “That loving a good woman, the right woman, can change a man.”

Fuck, I hate when Cort says something smart, almost sweet about my sister. His comment is also a reminder of how bad Bailey turned out to be for both him and his son.

“Now, boys⁠—”

“And Vale’s right,” Cort continues, cutting off my sister, keeping his gaze on me. “You look happy.” He watches me, further assessing me. “You look good.”

The compliment is strange to hear coming from him. I am happy, like I said, but I haven’t always been. And I’ve never been as happy as I’ve been lately. Taxi is the reason for that feeling.

“I look good, huh? Want to date me?” The corner of my mouth twitches, and Taxi chuffs against me, tucking her head into my chest.

“I would, but I’m taken.” Cort presses a kiss to the top of Vale’s head while keeping his eyes on me.

“Yeah, well, I’m taken, too.” And make no mistake, Taxi isn’t going to belong with anyone else in this town.

“Good,” Cort states, giving me a slow smile.

“Good,” I counter, still sounding irritated.

Taxi glances between us.

Vale follows the same pattern before sighing. “How about you, Taxi? Are you good?”

“I’m good,” she says, humor in her voice.

“Good. Now that we’ve established that we are all good, can we dance again?” Vale asks, impatience laces her tone, when she’s the one who pulled me from dancing with my date in the first place.

“Sure, Little Bee,” Cort says, using his nickname for her and standing taller, releasing her from his arm.

Vale surprises all of us by grabbing Taxi’s hand and tugging her toward the dance floor.

“Come on, sister,” Vale says, leaving Cort and me stunned for a moment.

Taxi glances over her shoulder at me, asking me with those eyes if I’m okay. She might be little but she’s something fierce. A force I want by my side.

She’s already tucked in my heart.

I nod, giving her a tense smile.

“I mean it, man,” Cortland says beside me. “You deserve to be happy.”