Page 69 of Golden Ruin

“So, I think it goes without saying that we’ve nailed co-parenting.”

“Oh, we killed that shit,” she confirms.

“Fuck yeah, we did.”

She laughs, and warmth pulses through her palm into mine.

“But I’ve been thinking. We’ve both had a lot of shit happening, things that have nearly knocked us on our asses. So… what if, instead of just focusing on being there for Jax… we also work on being there for each other? To talk through things, to be each other’s sounding board. We just make it a point to… show up for each other.”

It’s not a loaded statement, but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t feel like it. Hence the reason my heart’s currently racing.

She brushes away another tear with her free hand, then nods. “I think I’d like that.”

Before I can over think it, I pull her into my side for a hug. I definitely hold on too long, but she also lets me too long.

“Maybe… maybe we should get back inside,” she stutters, and I know she’s overwhelmed again, so I let go.

“Yeah, I’m sure Jax is looking for us.”

We stand and walk toward the ladder, but the feel of her hand on my arm stops me.

“Thank you for coming tonight. And for being a good sport about… well… my family,” she adds with a quiet laugh.

“Honestly? Tonight’s been the most fun I’ve had in a long time. So much I’m coming back tomorrow.”

The sun’s gone down, but I can still make out her features through the darkness. So, when she shoots me a questioning look, I smile at her.

“Benny needs my help,” I explain. “We’re gonna swap out a ceiling fan in one of the guest rooms.”

“Oh gosh.” She laughs again, rolling her eyes this time.

We head back inside, and although we’ve rejoined her family, fallen back into the chaotic chatter and laughter, I catch her eyes from across the room, and for a second, it’s like it’s just me and her.

The evolution of us has taken me by surprise. At every turn, actually. But with every twist and turn, one thing’s become crystal clear. No matter how toxic things were in the past, no matter how I fought to convince myself we were done…

I’m nowhere near being over her.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Lexi

Things are starting to slow from the morning rush, and I’m beyond grateful I finally have a moment to breathe.

I know my job inside and out, but with how nervous I was coming in this morning, you’d think I was a total newb. My hands were shaking for the first three hours, and I forgot my lunch on the counter at Sterling’s. Here’s hoping tomorrow’s smoother.

Thank God, there’s no one in the break room. It gives me a chance to get my bearings without being asked if I’m okay. I definitely am, but I didn’t realize until now that my post-fire anxiety is still on full blast.

Dez texts, creating a nice distraction from my racing thoughts, and I smile at the invite to her themed birthday bash coming up this weekend. Dots bounce beside her name.

Dez: Be there!

I laugh at her bossy ass adding an exclamation mark.

Lexi: Like I thought I had a choice.

Dez: Glad we have an understanding.

My eyes flit toward the door when it opens, and Matt walks in wearing a smile.